New Tigers in focus: Dean Putt

Click here to see how Dean Putt has viewed his first few weeks at Punt Rd. Stay tuned for more video insight into how his fellow draftees are travelling, as well as interviews with other recruits for 2008.

AS A player who's completing a traineeship in greenkeeping with the name Dean Putt, Richmond’s tall draftee is every sports journalist’s dream.

The fact that he is also handy with a golf club is just an added bonus.

But it’s on the footy field that Tigers fans care if Putt is any good.

At 202cm and selected with pick No.51 in last month’s NAB AFL Draft, Putt is considered a future key forward at Richmond with the ability to play in the ruck.

The former Calder Cannon was hopeful of earning a call-up to AFL level heading in the draft but it wasn’t until he heard his name read out that he – and those at his junior club, Woodend – could celebrate.

Overlooked for the NAB AFL Draft Camp at the AIS in Canberra, Putt impressed recruiters with his athleticism, recording 2.93sec for the 20m sprint and 14.1 for the gruelling beep test at a state screening session.

“I spoke to about six or seven clubs [before the draft], a lot of Melbourne clubs,” Putt said.

“Richmond sounded the keenest and I thought ‘If I do go, it’ll probably be Richmond’.

“I was just hoping for my name to be called out at any club, but I knew Richmond was pretty keen and I was lucky enough to get my name called out and I was really happy [when they picked me].”

Since arriving at Punt Road, Putt’s view of the Tigers has only increased.
“It’s awesome really, to come to this club,” he said.

“It’s a real honour to be here and I’m really privileged.”

Putt always looked a player in the making since stepping onto the field for the Woodend under-10s. He first came under notice at representative level for the Calder Cannons, at under-14 level, and hasn’t looked back.

“When I was knee-high I was always kicking a footy in the back yard,” he recalled.

“I played three years of the under-18s comp [for the Cannons].

“I started as a ruckman, and I played all right there and then I sort of lost a bit of form in the ruck and so they decided to chuck me forward and that’s where I started playing my best footy.”

Booting a bag of goals in one TAC Cup match was the clincher for the Tigers. His versatility to play in attack just the thing Richmond was looking for with its final selection after earlier picking up highly fancied youngsters Trent Cotchin, a midfielder, and running defender Alex Rance.

Putt said he was settling in well at Tigerland and enjoying getting to know his new teammates.

And, having worked as a greenkeeper through the AFL traineeship program, the mobile big man perhaps has a head start on some other draftees who walk through the doors for pre-season training.

“I’m used to it because I used to get up pretty early to go to work,” Putt said of the early-morning starts.

“It’s a bit harder than the Calder Cannons, but it’s enjoyable!”