Tigers’ wingman, Hugo Ralphsmith, joined the Talking Tigers podcast this week, giving his outlook on the side's form halfway through the season.
Despite Richmond’s nail-biting loss to the Giants, the young Tiger said more consistent four-quarter performances aren't too far away.
“We played some really exciting footy and some great footy for three quarters and then we went away from that in the last quarter,” Ralphsmith said.
“We played a bit safe and not the way we wanted to play, but there were signs that we can stick it with any team, and there has been throughout the whole year.
“The difference between our best and our worst at the start of the year is smaller than it was in the weekend just gone.”
Having missed the first five games this season due to a hamstring injury, Ralphsmith earned his way back into the side in Round 5 against the Dockers and has had an instant impact on the playing group.
The 23-year-old has continued his strong progress on the wing, a role he is embracing.
“We’ve got Kappa (Kamdyn McIntosh) who has played it for the last 10 years, and I have him in my corner, which is great,” Ralphsmith said.
“It’s nice to find my feet at the level and get my hands on the footy a bit more, and just playing a role.
“I’m just trying to figure out different opponents and how they kind of play, and then how can I use my own strengths to impact the game.”
Ralphsmith was selected by Richmond in the 2019 AFL Draft with the 46th overall pick and has since gone on to play 58 games in the yellow and black.
Season 2020 was a rollercoaster for Ralphsmith, as he started playing with the VFL side before the season was cut short due to the global pandemic.
However, when the AFL moved its games to Queensland later that year, Ralphsmith was brought over with the senior playing group as an emergency, where he further developed his game.
“I found it a blessing in disguise, honestly,” Ralphsmith said.
“Obviously you want to be playing footy every week, but COVID limited that, but going up to the hub with about 30 or 40 of your best mates was the best thing for my growth as a person and in the team.
“You can’t do anything apart from not hang out with each other, which is what I think kind of got us over the line in 2020, even though I wasn’t quite on the field, it was pretty special.”
Now, approaching 60 AFL games, Ralphsmith is embracing being a leader for the younger players coming up.
“I’m loving my footy this year and I’m trying to find my feet and impact the game when I can,” Ralphsmith said.
“My confidence is high, and once you get to those 50 games, you have to take that next step and become a leader.
“We've got however many guys under 15 games or 20 games, and if that was me, I would need some support going forward.”
Richmond returns to the MCG this Saturday to host the Sydney Swans at 1:20 pm AEST. Buy tickets HERE.
