Tigers await scans on injured midfielder

Richmond expect skipper Trent Cotchin to be available for next week's clash with North Melbourne but fellow onballer Dion Prestia will undergo scans on an injured calf.

Cotchin was a late withdrawal for Sunday's clash with Fremantle at the MCG, having failed to recover from a lingering knee injury.

His absence proved little impediment for the reigning premiers, who went on to thrash the Dockers by 77 points to secure their spot on top of the AFL ladder.

Cotchin had been in doubt all week, having smashed his right knee into the goal post while preventing a goal during last week's victory over Collingwood.

Coach Damien Hardwick on Sunday revealed the collision had caused a build-up of fluid around Cotchin's calf.

But he insisted Cotchin was in no doubt to face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

"He'll be fine," Hardwick said.

"It was a last-minute thing. We spoke on the phone this morning. He's got a bit of fluid around his calf ... just from blood from that knee, that PCL-type thing where he ran into the post.

"He could have played with it but it's one of those ailments where if he did play, it probably would have affected something else - a groin or something along the lines. We thought we'd just make it a one-week injury instead of pushing the envelope.

"It'll disperse and he'll be fine for this week, no doubt at all."

Prestia is less certain to line up against the Kangaroos, having succumbed to a calf injury during Sunday's third quarter.

The 25-year-old missed the first three games of the season with hamstring and glute injuries.

"It's low-level. Where it sits, we're not too sure," Hardwick said.

"He didn't play any further part in the game so it's probably an indication that he might miss next week but we'll wait and see what the scans say. He's reasonably confident, as all players are in these sort of situations."