RICHMOND has been dealt a major blow before its match against North Melbourne, with midfield pair Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin late withdrawals due to illness.

The pair has been in blistering form, with Cousins amassing 35 disposals in the Tigers' 20-point loss to Carlton last week, while Cotchin had a career-high 26-disposals, also against the Blues.

Both are expected to be fit for next week's blockbuster clash against Essendon at the MCG next Sunday afternoon

The pair has been replaced in the selected side by Jordan McMahon and Mark Coughlan, who plays his seventh game for the yellow and black this season.