With Richmond losing three experienced veterans for Friday night's Dreamtime at the ‘G clash, head coach Adem Yze believes it’s a great opportunity for the sides' Tiger Cubs to step up on the big stage.

“We are going to get a couple of the young boys in this weekend,” Yze said.

“Obviously, we've lost Noah Balta and Tom Lynch, so we're going to be a really young side on a big stage, which is an awesome opportunity for a young side.

“That's the exciting part of it. They're going to be so raw, but they've just got to help each other through, and they've got to grow and turn into men, and we're trying to fast-track that."

Tonight’s match will mark the 21st year of Dreamtime at the ‘G, since its first inception in 2005. It's an iconic game in the AFL fixture and one Yze doesn’t take for granted.

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“It's a special week for our footy club,” he said.

“We love playing in this game. We're really privileged to play in this game, and we don't take that for granted.

“We've got a couple of boys that it's going to mean a lot more to. We've got Rhyan Mansell, who obviously designed a guernsey with his family.

“We can’t wait to get out (there); Friday night footy, big stage and our young boys will get a chance to test themselves against a quality team in Essendon.”

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Going into tonight’s Dreamtime clash with a younger team, Yze said it is all part of the journey that the players and Club are on.

“We are on a journey, and we have only just started that journey with a younger group,” Yze said.

“We are starting to grow and build as a team; the whole season is doing that for us, and this is just another step along that road.”

With key forward Lynch sidelined due to a concussion sustained in last week’s clash against North, Yze is hoping that the young forward line can work together to "share the load."

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Three Richmond youngsters return to the side, in Samson Ryan, Maurice Rioli and Campbell Gray. 

“It’s hard to fill Lynchy’s shoes, and if Jonty Faull feels like he has to, then it's going to be too hard,” Yze said.

“We have a couple of experienced boys who understand the way that we want to play, but they just have to share the load.

“Samson Ryan will come into the team to help. We understand that our (forward line) is our youngest line this weekend, so it’s our responsibility to make sure they are prepared.

“As I said, they are young, but it’s exciting, and they will have some energy.”