Richmond’s second pre-season Challenge match against Port Adelaide on Saturday, March 14, has special appeal to the Tigers’ 2014 midfield revelation Anthony Miles.

The clash will take place at the Lavington Sports Ground in Albury, which is familiar territory for Miles, who was born and bred in the nearby town of Howlong.

“I played in a couple of NAB games at Lavington with GWS and then for the Tigers at Wangaratta — so I’ve been lucky to get the chance to play in front of family and friends before,” he told the ‘Border Mail’.

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“It’s no secret that before that first NAB Cup game I played last year I wasn’t in the best 22 for the Club.

“Those matches give those on the fringe the chance to show the coaching staff just what they can do.

“Hopefully, I get to play in the first NAB Cup game against the Bulldogs at the end of February and again at Lavington, but we haven’t talked about selections just yet.”

After making a profound impression in his debut season with Richmond last year, Miles has worked diligently on the training track over summer, to give himself the best possible chance of building on the significant gains he made in 2014.

“I haven’t missed many sessions in the pre-season and, like most footballers at this time of year, the body feels great,” he said.

“Hopefully, it sets me and the team up for a good year.

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“We had a very solid training block leading up to the long weekend and were lucky enough to get three days off.

“But I think we are all getting to the point of just wanting to play footy.”

Miles, who earned a promotion off Richmond’s rookie list midway through last year, played the last 13 games straight with the Tigers’ senior side, averaging a highly-impressive 24.4 disposals, 11.2 contested possessions and 6.6 clearances per match.