Richmond forwards Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton have both been injured in a nightclub fight over the weekend.
Key points:
- Daniel Rioli required stitches to a cut under his eye after being punched in a nightclub fight
- Shai Bolton suffered a fractured wrist after “becoming involved in the … altercation”
- Bolton has been in career-best form of late, but will now miss up to three weeks with the injury
The Tigers confirmed Bolton sustained a fractured wrist and would require surgery due to the incident, which Richmond said was sparked by Rioli’s girlfriend being “subjected to inappropriate behaviour”.
“Rioli was punched after confronting the patron and suffered a cut under his eye that required two stitches,” a club statement read.
“Bolton became involved in the ensuing altercation and sustained a fractured wrist that will require surgery. He will be sidelined for the next two to three weeks.”
The statement did not suggest the club would sanction either player.
The injury comes at a bad time for 22-year-old Bolton, who has become one of the Tigers’ best and most influential players in recent weeks.
He thrived during Dustin Martin’s brief absence as a livewire up front. And his incredible leap in Friday night’s game against Geelong is likely to win mark of the year.
Rioli, 24, has played all but one game so far this season and has kicked seven goals.