The Richmond VFL side got a 22-point win in the annual Dreamtime game last Saturday night. Here’s how coach Jake Batchelor assessed the performance of each player.
Tyler Sonsie (37 disposals, eight tackles, seven marks, one goal)
“Another really strong performance above VFL level, he was clean, he was tough and it was good to see him get rewarded with a goal.”
Jacob Blight (26 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, nine marks)
“Very strong performance above VFL standard, he competed in the air and followed up on the ground. He was quite neat with ball in hand, a strong performance from him.”
Lachlan Wilson (24 disposals, four tackles, two marks, one goal)
“Really good game, he played the first half as an inside mid and then we asked him to play as a high half-forward where he needed to control the corridor a little bit. It went a long way in helping us get the win, with his diligence in role.”
Mutaz El Nour (22 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, six marks)
“Superb game, he was very strong in the air, made strong defensive decisions. He was clean by foot, a very well-rounded game by Mutaz.”
James Trezise (21 disposals, two tackles, one goal)
“He played three quarters on the wing, and last quarter he went to the backline. He’s tough, he reads the play well and his ability to step through traffic and take on the tackle is becoming a real weapon of his.”
Dion Prestia (20 disposals, four clearances, three marks, one goal)
“Great to have Dion back, his leadership, voice and calmness under pressure was extremely noticeable, so well done to him.”
Lachlan Street (20 disposals, seven clearances, five marks, three tackles)
“Great to see Streeter back and get basically a full game as a midfielder. He won the ball well for us, a couple of stoppage opportunities with positioning versus an opposition. He makes great decisions with the ball and leads the boys really well.”
Austin Johnson (19 disposals, four marks, one tackle)
“Played half-back for us this week and he adds run, he adds drive. Defensively he’s improving his positioning and great to see some really good aerial power from him.”
Oliver Hayes-Brown (18 disposals, 28 hit-outs, six clearances, three marks)
“Keeps improving week on week, I’m really proud of his growth, his effort, his physicality and his ability to take on tackles and step through opposition is becoming a highlight.”
Judson Clarke (17 disposals, eight marks, one tackle)
“Finding his groove on the wing, particularly on a skinny ground at Frankston he still finds space but his ability to get back and support our defence was extremely noticeable.”
Harry Scott (16 disposals, five marks, two tackles, two clearances)
“Numbers don’t suggest a huge game but he was very diligent in his role, he adds a really big body and big presence to our midfield, so great to see him go from wing two weeks ago to spending the last two weeks as an inside mid and really transfer that run.”
Liam George (14 disposals, five marks, one goal)
“Good game as a high half-forward and winger, he connected really well. He was a bit sloppy by foot at times due to the wind (hopefully), he’s finding the ball really well, he’s stepping in and he’s a really strong leader for us.”
Massimo Raso (14 disposals, four tackles, two clearances)
“He had a strong game, a couple of opportunities where he can lose his defender a little bit easier and make life a little bit easier at front and centre or inside 50. He’s improving each week though despite not necessarily getting on the scoreboard, he’s becoming a better player for us.”
Jasper Alger (13 disposals, three marks, two goals)
“Once again he got three shots on goal, getting high up the ground. He has amazing aerial craft for a first-year player, brings the ball to ground at minimum all the time. He’s improving which is exciting”
Liam Fawcett (12 disposals, eight hit-outs, five marks)
“Another really strong game as our second ruck this week, he looks big and strong. The socks up mentality helped him no doubt.”
Tylar Young (12 disposals, three marks, one tackle)
“Great to have his leadership, his physicality and his defensive intent back in our team. No doubt with him finishing at three quarter-time, I think our defence just slipped a little bit, so looking forward to getting a full game into him this week.”
Jacob Bauer (nine disposals, four marks, two tackles)
“Slow first-half with his positioning relative to his opposition, and then we saw some really strong growth in there. He’s trying his backside off to play his best role for the team and no doubt the rewards will come soon.”
Joel Garner (nine disposals, four marks, one tackle)
“Played backline for us, not many touches but led really well and played our system really well. He’s a vice-captain that you love having in your team.”
Mykelti Lefau (eight disposals, four marks, two goals)
“First full game back, he got through the whole game unscathed. Once again there were a couple of classic Mykelti efforts where his physicality and hitting bodies is really powerful and really influential.”
Mohammed Yassine (eight disposals, two tackles, one mark)
“A little bit of a lower impact game for him. It only says two tackles but his chase, harass and high-speed sprint to try and get to the opposition was really strong. He laid a huge bone-crunching tackle in our forward 50, so hopefully get a few more of them going forward.”
Jacob Koschitzke (seven disposals, one mark, three tackles)
“He played a really strong game, he didn’t quite get as many touches as he was probably hoping for but his diligence in system, his execution to come forward and lay some really strong tackles was noticeable.”
Sean Lai (seven disposals, three marks, two tackles)
“Our 23rd player this week, he’s becoming a solid VFL player. With a bit more experience and continued form, we see a really bright future for him.”
Nicholas Collier (six disposals, four tackles, one mark)
"Defensively is very strong for us as a HB, his contest work is a strength. We are looking to add the attacking flair to his game to round himself out. He is working his backside off; the rewards will come."
