Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper is putting no ceiling on the influx of young Tigers, calling the energy they've created "awesome".
Hopper, who is set to play his 150th game this weekend, took positives from seeing first-gamer Campbell Gray rise to the occasion in last Thursday's clash with Melbourne, as the key defender became the Club's sixth debutant in just seven games.
Speaking to 3AW, the 28-year-old spoke highly of the Tiger Cubs who have impressed this season.
“I think it’s just really exciting to see people get opportunities and some of them have really taken it,” Hopper said.
“I don’t think there is any ceiling to what a person is capable of, and the more we get to see from these guys, the better off we are as a footy club.
“We feel like we have some real depth, and guys are performing really well in the VFL, so it’s putting some pressure on everyone across the board to play good footy.
“It’s been really exciting to see people come in and kick their first goal or whatever it might be, and just to be able to celebrate with them has been awesome.”
Hopper and the Tigers now turn their focus to the fourth-placed Hawks ahead of a Sunday afternoon clash at the MCG.
Despite being within four points of Melbourne at half-time in Round 7's Anzac Day Eve clash, Richmond conceded six goals to one in the third term, which ultimately costed the Tigers a chance at victory.
Hopper says ensuring Richmond puts together a four-quarter performance this weekend is of the utmost importance.
“The Hawks are a quality opposition,” Hopper said.
“We will look at the third (quarter) and see what went wrong for us and look at the Hawks' strengths and see how we can execute our game plan against them.
“The third quarter really hurt us, and that has been the challenge for us to be honest.
“Win, lose or draw, can we put four quarters together? We are never going to have it our way the whole game, but can we just minimise run-ons and momentum because it plays a huge role in the game.”
Hopper did explain how the side is slowly building towards a four-quarter effort each week, with plenty of positives to be taken from recent weeks, including the Round 6 win over Gold Coast.
“If we were one or two quarters at the start of the year, we feel like we are three or three and a bit now,” Hopper said.
“It’s a tough game, there are quality teams each week and they are going to execute at times, but can we just minimise the bleeding."
