Richmond are counting the cost of their latest AFL triumph, with premiership stars Kane Lambert and Tom Lynch both set for time on the sidelines through injury.
Lambert had a delayed start to the season because of a hip issue and was substituted out of Saturday night's 32-point win over Essendon with soreness in the area.
Lynch then went down with a hamstring injury, putting another sour note on the Tigers' 11.14 (80) to 7.6 (48) victory at the MCG.
Coach Damien Hardwick said both players will miss Friday night's important clash with fellow top-eight side Sydney at the SCG.
The Tigers then have a bye before taking on Port Adelaide in a Thursday night opener to round 13.
Richmond's top goal-kicker this season, Lynch is in Coleman Medal contention with 31 majors.
But the key forward failed to take his chances against Essendon, booting 0.4 on a rare off night.
Lynch will need to undergo scans on his injured hamstring for Richmond to determine the full extent of the damage.
"He went down and he felt something, so we're not too sure of the significance," Hardwick said.
"He's been in really good form and probably didn't have his goal-kicking boots on today but he had four or five shots before he went off.
"We'll be looking for some people to step up (in his absence)."
Triple-premiership player Lambert did not play until round seven this year and Hardwick conceded the setback was concerning.
"Any other player wouldn't be playing. What he does to get up for games is incredible," Hardwick said.
"We thought we were going to probably get one or a maximum two games out of him and he's played the last four."
Lambert's return has coincided with Richmond's form spike, with four-straight wins seeing them surge into the top-eight.
"It probably shows you how important he is that all of a sudden we start winning our games," Hardwick said.
"His leadership both on and off the field is really important and he does get a two-week break now with the bye.
"He's tough, really tough, and the game means a lot to him, so that's why he keeps pushing through."
