Richmond star Matthew Richardson is no certainty to play again this AFL season after he experienced a scare over his injured hamstring in his comeback match on Saturday.

Richardson had played just 15 minutes for Coburg in the VFL in his first game since he had surgery to repair his hamstring tendon, after round six, when he felt tightness and opted to leave the field for good.

Richmond stressed Richardson left the field as a precaution, but the 34-year-old will undergo scans next week to determine whether it is worthwhile trying to return this season given the Tigers won't play finals.

Geelong had much better news in the VFL, as big man Brad Ottens got through his first hit-out since he strained a knee in round two.

Ottens played 50 minutes for the Cats' VFL side in the curtain raiser before the Geelong-Adelaide AFL game and spent the second half on the bench, but the Cats were pleased with his return.

Richardson had gathered four disposals, hit the post with his only score and set up a goal in his short time on the field.

The league's oldest player, who is keen to play on in 2010 but has not been guaranteed by his club, had been keen to play again in the AFL this season under caretaker coach Jade Rawlings, his brother-in-law.

Next week's scans will go a long way towards determining whether he plays before the end of the month.

Ottens played exclusively in the forward line in his return game, and took three marks, contested bounces and throw-ins, and finished with one behind in the match against the Casey Scorpions, who again had out-of-favour Melbourne forward Russell Robertson in their side.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson was pleased his ruck-forward had finally returned after a long recovery, but was unsure when he would ruck in matches and when he would return to the AFL.

Ottens will definitely play in the VFL again next weekend.

"He's played, he's run four k's in a game and next week he'll probably run up to six k's, but it will be in a VFL game," Thompson said.

"We've taken that stance that we just try to get him fit and get him into form in the VFL ... given the circumstances of him still not moving freely we think that's the best way to go."

Forgotten Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca will continue the high-profile appearances in the state league this weekend when he plays for the Magpies' VFL side against the Northern Bullants on Sunday.

Rocca, 31, has overcome ankle and Achilles problems and is aiming to still be a part of Collingwood's AFL campaign this season.

He has played only three AFL games this season, the last in round seven.

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