Richmond gun Shai Bolton will require surgery on a fractured wrist and miss two-to-three AFL games after he was involved in a nightclub fight.
The Tigers confirmed Bolton and teammate Daniel Rioli were involved in an altercation at the weekend, which started when Rioli's girlfriend was "subjected to inappropriate behaviour" from a fellow nightclub patron.
Rioli had confronted the patron and was punched in the face, with Bolton stepping in, then suffering his wrist injury in the ensuing altercation.
"Richmond players Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton were involved in an incident at a nightclub over the weekend," Richmond said in a statement.
"An altercation took place after Rioli's girlfriend was subjected to inappropriate behaviour.
"Rioli was punched after confronting the patron and suffered a cut under his eye that required two stitches.
"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."
Bolton's injury is a further blow to Richmond's midfield depth with skipper Trent Cotchin and fellow midfielders Shane Edwards, Dion Prestia and Kane Lambert already sidelined.
Two-time premiership player Bolton has enjoyed a stellar start to the season, averaging 21.8 disposals and more than a goal a game - including six goals across his past two outings.
Bolton, who is out of contract at the end of the season, also hauled down a mark of the year contender in the Tigers' loss to Geelong on Friday night.
Richmond, who face a resurgent GWS at Marvel Stadium this week, then travel to Brisbane to take on the Lions before returning to the MCG to host Adelaide.
The reigning premiers sit 4-4, eight games into their bid for a fourth flag in five seasons.
