RICHMOND has given a hint to its possible Grand Final selection by resting Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh for Sunday’s VFL decider. 

Ross and McIntosh are on standby for Jack Graham (shoulder) and Nathan Broad (concussion), the pair injured in Friday night’s 19-point preliminary final win over Geelong. 

Will Jack Ross get the call from senior coach Damien Hardwick?

First-year sensation Sydney Stack will take his place in the VFL Grand Final against Williamstown, alongside NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft recruit Marlion Pickett. 

Stack is playing his first competitive game in 36 days after ankle surgery, while Pickett is bidding for a fairytale AFL debut in a Grand Final.

Stack will play on restricted minutes after undergoing surgery less than five weeks ago. 

Should Stack or Pickett play, they will join Cyril Rioli, Jonathan Simpkin and Steven King as recent players to have featured in both VFL/AFL Grand Finals. 

The Tigers pair remain in selection calculations, however have fallen down the pecking order behind Ross and McIntosh. 

Ross, a first-year midfielder, played the last of his seven AFL games in round 22, while McIntosh, the 2017 premiership wingman, was last seen at AFL level in round 17. 

Marlion Pickett

Would be the story of the year if picked to make his debut in the Grand Final – something that hasn't happened since 1952. Signed in the mid-season rookie draft, complete with two months of rehab ahead of him for a finger injury, Pickett can play in the middle or off half-back. Has stood up in crucial moments in the VFL finals so far, showing a nifty combination of toughness and poise. Travelled to Brisbane in week one of finals and was emergency against the Cats.

Sydney Stack

Already a fan favourite in his first year, Stack's biggest selling point (besides his physicality) is his versatility. Could slot into defence, pushing Liam Baker up the ground, or into attack, seeing Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli spend more time on ball. Could come in for either Broad or Graham, but there will be a big question mark over his fitness after only one VFL match, albeit a Grand Final, in 42 days come AFL Grand Final day.

Dan Butler

An outside chance, the premiership small forward has fallen out of favour this year, playing just seven games. Often spoken about by coach Damien Hardwick as the next forward in, but Butler is a very different player to Graham and the Tigers would require a serious reshuffling to fit him in. Was emergency against the Cats.

Recent players in VFL-AFL Grand Final double

2014 – Cyril Rioli – Box Hill (L) & Hawthorn (W)
2013 – Jonathan Simpkin – Box Hill (W) & Hawthorn (W)
2007 – Steven King – Geelong (W) & Geelong (W)
2003 – Tristen Walker – Williamstown (W) & Collingwood (L)