Richmond has confirmed its playing list ahead of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Premiership Season.
The 31-man squad sees 14 new faces join the Swinburne Centre in 2026, including former St Kilda AFL-listed players Leo Connolly and Olli Hotton, as well as former Blues utility Sam Philp.
The list also features an abundance of developing young talent and will be led by Lachlan Street, who enters his fifth season as captain, while Mutaz El Nour and Joel Garner will once again support Street as co-vice-captains. Rounding out the leadership group for 2026 are Liam George and Harry Scott.
Richmond’s VFL side will also feature two train-on players, Kai Daniels and Waylon Davey-Motlop.
51 - Austin Johnson
26-Dec-2001, 5th year in program, wing/half-back, 183cm
Local club - Cheltenham (Southern Football Netball League)
Johnson has featured for the VFL Tigers on 60 occasions since arriving at the club ahead of the 2022 season, playing predominantly on a wing or at times across half-back. His main strengths are his kicking and sharp decision-making, with the ability to pinpoint a pass and drive his side into attack. The 24-year-old is also a fantastic endurance athlete and often plays a selfless role for the betterment of the team, and will be keen to put together another strong season in 2026.
52 - Mohammed Yassine
29-Aug-2003, 5th year in the program, small forward, 171cm
Local club - Hillside (Essendon District Football League)
Originally started as a train-on player before gaining a list spot ahead of the 2022 season, Yassine has speed to burn and a vivacious appetite for tackling and applying pressure. He makes the most of his possessions and is also damaging around the big sticks, kicking a career-high 19 goals in 2025. With another pre-season under his belt, Yassine is primed to go to the next level in 2026 and beyond.
53 - Joel Garner
21-May-1999, 3rd year in program, inside mid/half-forward, 185cm
Local club - Wandin (Outer East Football Netball League)
Joined the club in 2024 with AFL experience, having played four games for Port Adelaide between 2018 and 2021, before a couple of strong seasons with Footscray in the VFL. Garner works full-time in the AFL program as an Indigenous Player Development Manager and is a fantastic leader around the club. On-field he is strong and combative, leading by example with his inspiring courage while also having a lovely left boot. The 26-year-old has shown an ability to push forward, take big marks and kick goals for his side and will again serve as co-vice-captain alongside Mutaz El Nour, shaping as a key cog in the Tigers’ on-ball brigade.
54 - Harry Scott
24-Jan-2005, 3rd year in program, inside mid/wing, 188cm
Local club - Old Scotch (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
After a promising first year in the yellow and black, Scott took his game to another level in 2025 as a first-choice midfielder. He averaged 21 disposals per game and used his big frame to stay composed and stand up in tackles, while also providing fantastic ball use and pushing forward to kick goals. The rising star finished in the top five of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal and is set to soar to new heights in season 2026.
55 - Lachlan Street
25-Jun-1998, 8th year in program, inside mid/half-back, 192cm
Local club - Frankston YCW (Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League)
Street is one of the most respected players to pull on a Richmond VFL guernsey and will enter his eighth season at the club in 2026. It will also be his fifth season leading the team as captain with Street set to headline the Tigers’ midfield group, providing brilliant ball use and great versatility to Richmond. His leadership is crucial for a young group, and he can play any position, hoping to lead the Tigers to their first flag since 2019.
57 - Mutaz El Nour
14-Aug-2001, 4th year in program, hybrid defender, 192cm
Local club - Deer Park (Essendon District Football League)
The reigning Guinane Medallist had a brilliant season in defence last year, becoming one of the very best lockdown and intercept defenders in the VFL. El Nour is a fantastic young leader and will serve as the club’s vice-captain for the second consecutive season. He reads the play extremely well and has fantastic athleticism, hoping for another big season at Tigerland in 2026.
58 - Leo Connolly
7-Aug-2001, 1st year in program, half-back/mid, 181cm
Local club - De La Salle (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
Comes to the club with AFL experience, having played seven games for St Kilda from 2020 to 2023, making his mark as a dashing defender with great foot skills and composure. He came second in the Sandringham Zebras’ best and fairest count in 2022 and played for the Casey Demons in 2024. The 24-year-old will be a great addition to the VFL program, and his footballing experience will be valuable to the young group that has been assembled at Tigerland.
59 - Zaydyn Lockwood
25-Jan-2006, 1st year in program, key defender/utility, 198cm
Local club - South Bendigo (Bendigo Football Netball League)
The former Bendigo Pioneers player was a much-anticipated signing for the Tigers, boasting incredible athleticism and versatility. While he can play anywhere, Lockwood looks set to hold down a key defensive post for the VFL Tigers, using his strong marking and aerial ability to set up offensive chains for the side.
60 - Tom McKenzie
23-Jun-2000, 2nd year in program, wing/mid, 184cm
Local club - Old Ivanhoe (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
Enters the 2026 season as one of the most experienced VFL players on the Tigers’ list, providing plenty of speed and drive for Richmond across half-back and through the midfield. He played 14 games last season and showed glimpses of the player he could become, while also spending time at Coburg and previously being a rookie with North Melbourne’s AFL side during the 2019 season.
61 - Olli Hotton
6-Sep-2004, 1st year in program, midfielder, 183cm
Local club - Old Haileybury (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
Hotton will reunite with brother Taj, who is a rising star of the AFL team, at the Swinburne Centre, keen to make his own mark on the program. Hotton has speed to burn through the midfield and can also provide plenty offensively, with an ability to hit the scoreboard and kick goals. The 21-year-old was drafted by St Kilda in 2022, and while he didn’t play an AFL game, he joins Richmond’s VFL side, having had a taste of what it takes to make the big leagues.
62 - Nick Guiney
18-Jan-2002, 5th year in the program, half-back, 187cm
Local club - Old Xaverians (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
Guiney is a reliable lockdown defender who also has the ability to intercept mark, providing a great work rate to Richmond’s VFL. He has now played 36 games for the Tigers and is a well-respected member of the squad, keen to better the 12 games he played last year.
63 - Nicholas Collier
29-Apr-2004, 3rd year in program, half-back, 176cm
Local club - Dromana (Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League)
Collier cemented himself in the team last season as a strong lockdown defender with his work rate, physicality and team-first attitude standing out on the field. Because of his elite running capacity, Collier also stepped into the midfield at times and showed encouraging signs as a two-way running on-baller.
64 - Sam Philp
4-Aug-2001, 1st year in program, utility, 186cm
Local club - Old Paradians (Northern Football Netball League)
Philp enters his first season at the club with plenty of excitement, joining the Tigers after playing for Port Melbourne last year and for Carlton before that. He was drafted by the Blues and lived out his AFL dream, playing two games at the top level, showcasing his explosiveness across all three lines while also being strong in the contest. After an injury-interrupted last few seasons, Philp will be looking to stay healthy and excel in the yellow and black this year.
65 - Ry Cantwell
16-Aug-2005, 2nd year in program, utility, 188cm
Local club - North Ringwood (Eastern Football Netball League)
Cantwell will return to the club for the first time since 2024 after playing seven games and showcasing his explosive run and speed across half-back during that season. The youngster has great versatility and is capable of playing anywhere on the ground, with his athleticism and raw pace set to excite Tiger fans in 2026.
66 - Daniel Lowther
8-Jul-2006, 1st year in program, key forward/ruckman, 199cm
Local club - Newton (Geelong Football Netball League)
The teenager comes to the club fresh out of the Geelong Falcons in the Coates Talent League program. He is a big presence in the air, boasting a strong marking ability and competitive nature, while he will also add versatility to Richmond’s VFL team, with the ability to play both forward and in the ruck.
67 - Liam George
9-Aug-2005, 3rd year in program, wing/half-forward, 183cm
Local club - Mooroolbark (Eastern Football Netball League)
George produced another good year in 2025, following on from a brilliant debut VFL season as an 18-year-old. He is able to find time and space with great foot skills, football IQ and agility across multiple positions, looking at home on the wing last year for the Tigers. For a younger player, he shows great leadership qualities and will be part of the VFL leadership group for a second consecutive season.
68 - Sam Toner
23-Oct-2005, 2nd year in program, wing/forward, 185cm
Local club - Narre Warren (Southern Football Netball League)
It has been a rapid rise for Toner after playing local footy for Narre Warren and Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates Talent League just 18 months ago. He managed 14 games in his first season at the Swinburne Centre and got better each time he stepped out onto the field. Toner has great athleticism and is good in the air for his size, while also being able to push forward and kick goals from the wing. Expect a big year from the 20-year-old as he continues to gain confidence at the level.
69 - Kane Loftus
25-Oct-2001, 1st year in program, midfielder, 193cm
Local club - University Blacks (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
The speedy midfielder joins the Tigers on the back of a brilliant season for University Blacks in 2025, where he made the VAFA Premier Division Team of the Year in the wing position. He has plenty of pace and uses his height to push forward and take big marks. Loftus also won the Uni Black’s best and fairest and was on Essendon’s VFL list in 2024.
70 - Joshua Pollocks
10-Dec-2002, 3rd year in program, hybrid forward, 189cm
Local club - Balwyn (Eastern Football Netball League)
He impressed from limited opportunities in 2025 and often played taller as a key forward, kicking nine goals in only five games. Pollocks is a very reliable set shot for goal and has the ability to take a great grab for his size, also pushing up the ground and using his big engine to outwork opponents. The 23-year-old will be hoping to get more opportunities to pull on the yellow and black this season.
71 - James Milner
27-Jun-2007, 1st year in program, forward/mid, 190cm
Local club - Rowville (Eastern Football Netball League)
Milner is a big forward/midfielder who has the ability to kick plenty of goals while also running through the middle, impressing as a 16-year-old for the Chargers in 2024. The teenager is coming back from an ACL injury and will be looking to make his mark at the Swinburne Centre in 2026.
72 - Reuben Hanson
8-Oct-2004, 2nd year in program, key forward/ruckman, 195cm
Local club - Mount Eliza (Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League)
The big man got a taste of VFL action last year, playing three games and proving himself to be more than handy up forward or in the ruck. He hit the scoreboard on multiple occasions and took on the ruck role. Hanson looks even bigger and stronger this year and will be hoping to make his mark in attack for the Tigers.
73 - Tom Ferguson
29-Mar-2004, 2nd year in program, wing/half forward, 180cm
Local club - St Kevin’s Old Boys (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
The dashing winger got a taste of VFL action in his first season at the club, playing six games in the back end of the year. He showed flashes of brilliance with his speed, agility and football IQ, helping set him apart from a lot of other young players in the VFL. Ferguson will be looking to take his game to the next level in 2026 and regularly feature in the VFL side.
74 - Ned Renfree
14-Mar-2006, 1st year in program, half forward, 185cm
Local club - Norwood (Eastern Football Netball League)
Having represented Australia in junior basketball and been in the college system, Renfree arrives at Tigerland with a lot of sporting pedigree. He formerly played for the GWV Rebels alongside Richmond AFL players Sam Lalor and Jonty Faull. Renfree has an exceptional marking ability for a player of his size and a fantastic leap, while using his incredible athleticism to his advantage and strength to win the ball in the contest.
75 - Caleb Nancarrow
31-May-2006, 1st year in program, forward, 191cm
Local club - Old Scotch (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
The teenager already has VFL experience playing two games for Gold Coast in 2024 and coming through the Gold Coast Academy pathway, also playing Coates Talent League for the Oakleigh Chargers. Nancarrow has great athleticism and the ability to kick a nice goal and take big grabs, set to provide plenty to the Tigers in 2026.
76 - Sean Lai
1-Oct-2005, 3rd year in program, half-back, 183cm
Local club - Cheltenham (Southern Football Netball League)
Lai is extremely quick and has a chiseling left boot, able to provide plenty of run and set up play from the back half. The 20-year-old played six games for the Tigers last season, impressing on several occasions, and will hope to get more opportunities this year.
77 - Zachary O’Keefe
22-Feb-2007, 1st year in program, midfielder, 177cm
Local club - Maffra (Gippsland League)
O’Keefe is coming off a fantastic top-age year with the Gippsland Power, where he dominated through the middle of the ground. He averaged 23 disposals and also regularly hit the scoreboard, while bringing plenty of grunt to the midfield with his tackling ability. The teenager is a combative midfielder and will hope to break into the Tigers’ lineup at some stage this season.
78 - Aaron Sharkie
20-Jan-2007, 1st year in program, half-back/wing, 184cm
Local club - Blackburn (Eastern Football Netball League)
The youngster will bring plenty of run and dash to the side in 2026 with his blistering speed and incredible tank, helping him accumulate plenty of possessions. He had a great year for the Oakleigh Chargers in 2025, has the ability to intercept mark and should complement the Tigers well across half-back.
79 - Kai Stewart
21-Dec-2007, 1st year in program, half-back, 177cm
Local club - Blackburn (Eastern Football Netball League)
Stewart hails from the Oakleigh Chargers and will provide plenty of excitement for the Tigers this year, using his lovely left boot to set up play. He spent more time playing as a pressure forward last year and showed that he can also kick a goal, giving him great versatility coming into the 2026 season.
80 - JayDe Varlet
26-Jul-2007, 1st year in program, half-back/mid, 181cm
Local club - Beaconsfield (Eastern Football Netball League)
Varlet provides plenty of flair and takes the game on, using his speed to open up the game throughout last season with the Dandenong Stingrays. He is just one of many Richmond players with plenty of speed as the Tigers look to play attacking and fast footy in 2026.
81 - Sam Phillips
3-Feb-2005, 2nd year in program, wing, 185cm
Local club - Old Trinity (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
Phillips is a great runner and uses his elite piercing kick on the outside to open up opposition teams, showing that he is more than capable of playing at the level last season. He played four games last year, including in the Tigers’ elimination final against Brisbane, and will be aiming to add more to his tally in 2026.
82 - Zane Greenham
7-Apr-2004, 2nd year in program, small forward, 175cm
Local club - St Kevin’s Old Boys (Victorian Amateur Football Association)
Greenham brings plenty of grunt and tackling pressure to the Tigers’ VFL side, while also having great goal sense. He was knocking on the door of selection for much of 2025 and was emergency on several occasions, but wasn’t able to break through for his debut in yellow and black. With another strong pre-season under his belt, the 21-year-old will be hoping to feature much more regularly across the 2026 VFL season.
