Richmond young gun Sam Lalor is set for another stint on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in the opening minutes of Saturday’s big loss to Geelong.

Lalor, who was playing his first match since Round 11, lasted just over a minute before disaster struck.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sam Lalor suffers hamstring injury in opening minutes.

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The 18-year-old pick laid a strong tackle on Tom Atkins, but immediately pulled up in obvious pain.

He cut a dejected figure as he slowly limped from the field.

“Looks a bad one, the way he is walking,” commentator Jason Dunstall said.

“Just a disaster.

“Saddest part about that is we want to see the young stars in action.

“A young man that has so much to offer the game and unfortunately for him, it’s going to be another stint on the sidelines.”

The Tigers wasted no time in subbing out Lalor and activating Maurice Rioli jnr.

In more bad news for the underdogs, Tom Brown and Jasper Alger came from the field with ankle injuries.

Both players spent considerable time on the bench, but were able to continue playing.

Lalor, the No.1 pick in last year’s draft, made a hot start to his career with a brilliant two-goal debut that inspired the Tigers to an unlikely victory over Carlton.

He kicked 11 goals in his first 10 matches and impressed with his clean hands and composure with ball in hand.

But he suffered a hamstring injury in the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash against Essendon in Round 11.

Lalor missed the next six weeks, with the club taking a cautious approach with his recovery.

“It looks like a bad one, which is really disappointing,” coach Adem Yze said after the match.

“He loves this club and he loves his teammates - he just wants to help.

“When you see him go out of the game straight away, it flattened us, not only his teammates, but it flattened us as coaches.

“Not only the talent, but he just deserves a good go at it.”

Yze said Lalor had taken this latest setback hard, unnecessarily blaming himself for Richmond’s poor second term on the way to their 72-point loss.

“Because he is such a good teammate, he feels like he’s letting people down,” Yze said.

“He’s feeling like he’ll take responsibility for that (second term), which isn’t fair on a kid.”

Lalor’s early injury compounded a nightmare afternoon for the Tigers.

Hugo Ralphsmith also finished the game on the bench with a hamstring injury as the Cats cruised to a massive 72-point victory.

Geelong dominated from the outset and were never really troubled by the inexperienced Tigers.

Jeremy Cameron finished with 4.5, including his 700th career goal, while Shannon Neale booted three.

With superstar Bailey Smith a late out due to illness, Max Holmes racked up 36 touches and 781m gained, while Gryan Miers was involved in everything to finish with 29 possessions and countless score involvements.

Debutant George Stevens looked at home in the midfield, finishing with 21 quality touches and a goal in a brilliant first game.

The win keeps the Cats well entrenched in the top four.

- With AAP