Young Richmond midfielder Jack Ross has taken new Tiger teammate Tyler Sonsie under his wing this year, and their developing football relationship is having a positive on-field impact for both of them.

Sonsie, taken by the Tigers with their third pick (No. 28) overall in last year’s AFL national draft, has been impressive throughout his six senior appearances.

He is averaging 17.7 disposals, 7.0 score involvements, 3.0 intercepts and 263.5 metres gained per game. Among AFL Rising Star prospects, he is ranked No. 1 for score involvements per game.

The 19-year-old again was productive in Richmond’s final home-and-away round match against Essendon at the MCG last Saturday night, finishing with 19 disposals, four marks, one goal, an equal game-high 14 score involvements, four intercepts and 234 metres gained.

“Sonsie is a hell of a player. He’s a natural footballer, and as soon as he got in the doors, I knew that. And his work ethic is unreal,” Ross told Richmond Media following the Tigers’ 66-point victory over the Bombers.

“It wasn’t really that much to ask for me to go and help him,” he said.  

“I feel like I’m learning a lot from him and we kind of feed off each other.

“We’ve got a good little kind of bromance at the minute.

“He’s playing really good footy, so I’m proud of him.”