The Richmond VFL side fell to the Casey Demons last Thursday in Round 5. Here’s how coach Jake Batchelor assessed the performance of each player.
Josh Smillie (24 disposals, five marks, five clearances, three tackles)
“An improved game in terms of his ability to hunt and chase around the ball. He can work on ball security and using his big body to drive through tackles a little bit better, but great learning against some really strong mids.”
Tom McCarthy (24 disposals, three marks, two tackles)
“Tried to create a fair bit with his drive off half-back - still working on different modes of attack and speeds. I was really impressed with some of his defensive contest efforts.”
Kaleb Smith (23 disposals, three marks, one tackle)
“When he’s composed and calm, he’s an absolute weapon. There’s a bit of a stoppage opportunity for us to get better at but he finished at three quarter-time as the AFL emergency. His attitude has been second to none this whole season, so I’m really proud of him.”
Mutaz El Nour (20 disposals, four marks, six tackles)
“The most important player for us on the weekend. His ability to come across and support his teammates in the air and play really brave on defence was extremely noticeable.”
Lachlan Wilson (18 disposals, one mark, four tackles)
“Tried his backside off. Tough game as a midfielder, so there were some really strong learnings about bodywork and positioning which he is looking forward to taking into the game against Box Hill.”
Kane McAuliffe (18 disposals, three marks, five tackles)
“Quiet game relative to his high standards. Good opportunity for him once again to review the game and then go again.”
Jacob Blight (14 disposals, six marks, one tackle)
“At times he competed really strongly in the air and at times he was just a bit reactive to the opposition’s ball movement. We’ll keep getting him back to his absolute best, which is fit, physical and aggressive as a key-defender.”
Tyler Sonsie (13 disposals, two marks, four tackles)
“Quiet game relative to his high standards. Played as a high half-forward and inside midfielder and probably struggled to stay around the ball and be really active and have fast feet, which has been an absolute weapon of his.”
Mate Colina (11 disposals, nine hit-outs, four clearances, one goal)
“He’s improving every week. He came up against a really strong ruckman in Tom Campbell and he probably taught him a bit of a lesson around the craft and using your body a little bit better, which he’ll no doubt put into action. It was great to see him kick a goal.”
Jasper Alger (11 disposals, two marks, one tackle)
“Jasper had some opportunities to impact the scoreboard, if he kicked three goals instead of three behinds it would’ve been a better game. He’s still working on some forward 50 patterns.”
Tom McKenzie (10 disposals, two marks, two tackles)
“He’s desperate to get better all the time and as a big inside mid, he will be looking to rectify and have a stronger performance this week.”
Massimo Raso (nine disposals, one mark, three tackles, one goal)
“Quieter game for the high standards that he has created. Looking forward to seeing him bounce back this week with his front and centre ability, his high running power and his forward 50 pressure.”
Sean Lai (nine disposals, four marks, two tackles)
“A great opportunity to get his first game at the Richmond Football Club and showed some nice things with his feet and his ability to run. Looking to keep imploring him to play to his strengths.”
Jacob Koschitzke (nine disposals, five marks, three tackles)
“I thought he battled manfully against some quality AFL-listed forwards. When he was in the contest he competed really strongly and held his own. His best asset is to keep playing team defence.”
Harry Scott (eight disposals, three marks, one tackle)
“Had some opportunities around the ball. We want to make sure that he keeps driving his legs and keeps using his big frame on the wing.”
Nick Guiney (eight disposals, one mark, two tackles)
“I thought he showed some strong team defence traits for us, and he will be looking to have a bigger game this weekend.”
Oliver Hayes-Brown (seven disposals, two marks, 17 hit-outs, one goal)
“Great to see him get on top, got a goal as well. He’s still learning about running patterns post clearance. He’s got really good hands around there, but a lot of the time the rucks don’t have the ball, so what he does when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands needs to be a big focus.”
Sam Flockart (six disposals, five marks, two tackles)
“Played as a key-forward and had some good moments in the air. He just needs to keep honing in on his craft as a big power forward.”
Nicholas Collier (five disposals, three marks, two tackles)
“Struggled to get involved with our attack as much as he has previously. If we move the ball quicker and in a better manner, he’s going to be able to get on the end of a lot more of our chains.”
Mohammed Yassine (four disposals, three marks, two tackles)
“Exciting opportunity for him to bounce back and continue to learn the forward role against Box Hill this weekend.”
Judson Clarke (four disposals, one mark, one tackle)
“It was great to see Juddy out there. He didn’t get a heap of the ball, but he was just happy and smiling, and played his role on the fat-side wing a fair bit. I’m looking forward to getting more minutes into him this week.”
Jacob Bauer (four disposals, three marks, one score-involvement)
“As a forward you can sometimes get starved, so he just needs to keep making the most of his opportunities when they come and there’s things he can control with his running power and his communication. It will be a good opportunity for him going forward.”
Liam Fawcett (two disposals, one mark, one tackle)
“Copped a head knock earlier in the game and he was out for about 20 minutes but passed the concussion test and went back on. He showed great fight to finish it off.”
