Richmond’s third selection in the 2016 AFL National Draft, tall defender Ryan Garthwaite, tells ‘Roar Vision’ how he’s settled into his new football home at Tigerland . . .

Patiently waiting on draft night

“On draft night, I was at home with the family and the girlfriend, watching it on TV, just hoping for the name to get read out.  Getting down to the end of the draft, and you’re thinking, am I going to go, am I not?  And my name got read out, pick 72 to the Tigers . . . the house went off from there. It’s an amazing feeling, given the opportunity, and (I’ll) definitely make the most of it.”

His playing style

“I’m a rebounding-type defender . . . marking, kicking.  Just creating that rebound, shutting down my man, and doing my job for the team.”

Learning valuable lessons at Tigerland

“‘Truck’ (backline coach Ben Rutten) and (Justin) Leppitsch (assistant coach) have been pretty good.  I haven’t done a lot with them yet, but I can’t wait to just learn everything that they know, with their footy calibre.  It’s amazing . . . I couldn’t ask for a better club to come to.  All of them are talented footballers, great blokes, and great people to learn off.  This morning ‘Rancey’ (Alex Rance) was helping me with body spoils and kicking and everything.  So it’s been amazing.  I’ve already learned a lot here in the first few days.”

Nicknames aplenty already

“I’ve got heaps of them.  Jack Riewoldt came up with ‘Daryl’, after Daryl Braithwaite.  ‘Meno’ (Connor Menadue) came up with ‘Garth Vader’.  Probably more to come as well.”

Goals for pre-season and season 2017

“My goals over the pre-season will be to put on a bit more weight, a bit more upper-body strength, look a bit bigger.  I like my endurance running, so, obviously, to get a good ‘tank’ going . . . Then, on to the season, play my footy, earn the respect of the Club and, hopefully, have a good 2017 campaign.”