Regardless of how Richmond’s senior side performs in 2022, the Tiger Army is bound to derive considerable enjoyment from watching the development of the Club’s talented crop of young players throughout the season.
Long-time Tiger track watchers have been extremely impressed with the pre-season work of new draftees Josh Gibcus, Tom Brown, Tyler Sonsie, Sam Banks and Judson Clarke.
It wouldn’t surprise if at least one of that group made their AFL debut in the Round 1 match against Carlton on March 17.
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Richmond’s most experienced player, 33-year-old, 305-game veteran star Jack Riewoldt, is a big fan of the latest additions to the Punt Road playing stocks . . .
“We’ve had five fantastic kids come in that are all really exciting,” Riewoldt said.
“Playing on young Josh Gibcus, our first selection, it’s amazing how much the kids have developed now . . . they’re ready to go nearly.
“He’s shown a lot early on and we’re really excited about him, as we are will all those five kids . . .
“It’s amazing when you’re surrounded by so many young people, they invigorate you to feel young. Spending time around all these young men here that are just thriving and wanting to get out there and play footy, actually revitalises you.”
The Tigers’ burgeoning department of youth extends way beyond the new “fab five”, with the likes of Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jack Ross, Thomson Dow, Will Martyn, Hugo Ralphsmith, Ben Miller, Bigoa Nyuon and Noah Cumberland hungry to showcase their football skills this year after being so starved of on-field action during the past couple of COVID-afflicted seasons.
To underline Richmond’s rich reservoir of young talent, here is a line-up of current Tiger players aged 24 years or under.
I have included dual premiership trio Jack Graham (turns 24 later this month), Shai Bolton (23 years, two months) and Liam Baker (24 years, one month), who, despite the success they already have attained in AFL football, are well equipped to take their individual games to an even higher level.
Here is the team . . .
B: Rhyan Mansell, Josh Gibcus, Ben Miller
HB: Tom Brown, Bigoa Nyuon, Sydney Stack
C: Hugo Ralphsmith, Jack Graham, Jack Ross
HF: Tyler Sonsie, Noah Balta, Shai Bolton
F: Maurice Rioli Jr, Mate Colina, Noah Cumberland
R: Samson Ryan, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Liam Baker
IC: Will Martyn, Judson Clarke, Thomson Dow, Sam Banks
