Richmond’s first pick in last year’s AFL National Draft, Daniel Rioli, will benefit from the experience of facing a full-strength Fremantle team in his NAB Challenge debut on Friday, according to the Tigers’ fill-in coach for the match, Brendon Lade. 

Rioli is one of seven new draftees who will be blooded against the Dockers, including mature-age recruits Nathan Broad and Adam Marcon, rookies Mabior Chol and Callum Moore, and second-round selection Oleg Markov. 

Lade declared the Tigers were not daunted by pitting their young players against a Dockers’ outfit that will include reigning Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe.   

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“We thought they might play a lot of their good players and to see Fyfe . . .  it's a good experience for everyone,” Lade said as the Tigers flew out on Thursday afternoon.

“All the first-year players who got a game – Markov, Chol, Marcon – they're all really excited.

“We're sick of playing against ourselves, so to go up against a quality side in Fremantle, over there in Mandurah, is going to be great.”

Rioli will play primarily forward against the Dockers and could be rotated through the midfield at times, as he has been in match practice during the pre-season. 

Lade said the coaches would be satisfied as long as the 18-year-old stuck to his role.

“If he gets a couple of touches, a couple of tackles, a couple of shots on goal, we'll be happy.

“Everyone is probably watching because of the last name, but for him it's about playing his role in the team and I'm sure the rest will take care of itself. 

“He's a very level-headed kid . . . he lives with the coach (Damien Hardwick), so he's got to be.”

The Tigers made a push at the end of last season to bolster their inside midfield stocks, and will unveil former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jacob Townsend against Fremantle.

The tough ball-winner will pair with second-year midfielder Corey Ellis in a midfield that will be missing Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Anthony Miles, Brett Deledio and Shane Edwards. 

“We got Townsend in for a reason and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do,” Lade said.

“We think he's been holding back a little bit in training against our own players, which is a bit scary.

“Corey Ellis is one who improved over the (2015) season and has now had a full pre-season, so we're looking forward to seeing what he can do.”