Richmond’s VFL side secured a thrilling five-point victory against Geelong last Sunday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium. Here’s how coach Jake Batchelor assessed the performance of each player.

Jayden Short (29 disposals, 14 marks, four tackles)
“Provided great leadership coming back to VFL for the first time in many years, he used the ball really well and organised our stoppage structures really well.”

Harry Scott (29 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances, one goal)
“He obviously had an amazing game with the winning goal, and his contest work is getting really impressive.”

Lachlan Wilson (28 disposals, six clearances, four marks, one goal)
“Inside mid, no centre bounces for him this week but his ability to get up and down the ground for us, and his contest work, was so strong. His running power was really important in the last quarter.”

Kaleb Smith (25 disposals, nine marks, five intercept possessions)
“He's managing to find the ball a little bit more the last couple of weeks and his run, his drive and his ability to try and step through tackles has been noticeable.”

Taj Hotton (24 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances, one goal)
“Another improved performance as a high half-forward, he had a great opportunity to get in some centre bounces and get some clearances for us. He finished with plenty of tackles as well.” 

James Trezise (24 disposals, eight marks, 96% disposal efficiency)
“Played a mixture of wing and half-back, his contest work was elite. He’s improving on his defensive awareness and best position knowledge.”

Mutaz El Nour (20 disposals, 15 intercept possessions, seven marks, five tackles)
“Arguably the most damaging player on the field, 15 intercept possessions and he controlled the air. He was outstanding.”

Austin Johnson (20 disposals, three marks, two tackles)
“Played the first half as a midfielder, gave us some great spark and fast feet around the contest. In the second half he went to half back and looked really comfortable, giving us some great drive.” 

Liam George (18 disposals, eight marks, two goals)
“I think he’s really finding his feet the last couple of weeks, he managed to hit the scoreboard twice for us. He’s working his backside off throughout the week to improve his game and it’s starting to show.”

Massimo Raso (17 disposals, six tackles, two goals)
“His defence is improving every week and this week we managed to turn that great defensive positioning into some really strong attacking positions. He was able to kick a really important goal for us in the backend of the last quarter.”

Tylar Young (16 disposals, seven marks, six intercept possessions)
“Great performance, was a little bit sticky on his opponent but that is what the game gave us versus some detached forwards. His contest work was great and he had great composure in the last quarter to take the match-saving mark.”

Lachlan Street (14 disposals, three inside-50s, two tackles)
“Mixture of roles, played a bit of mid, played a bit as a high forward, and he played a bit of deep forward as well. He was a Mr Fix-it for us on the weekend. His leadership was really strong and he had some big moments for us, particularly going forward.”

Joel Garner (13 disposals, four clearances, three marks, one goal)
“Played the first half as a key forward for us and then we moved him to an inside mid in the second half to help us get the game back on our terms. His contested work and smartness to just not give away free kicks in contests was extremely noticeable.”

Jacob Koschitzke (13 disposals, two marks, one goal)
“Played his role down back for us and then we required a key forward in the second half. His ability to compete and bring the ball to ground and maximise his opportunities inside 50 was great. Great to see him get on the scoreboard and I dare say without Kozi up forward, we potentially don’t get the result.” 

Steely Green (12 disposals, six marks, three goals)
“Good to have him back in the VFL this week, hit the scoreboard really well. He chased, defended really hard and his effort and intent was outstanding. Great to see him get some scoreboard reward.”

Oliver Hayes-Brown (11 disposals, 30 hit-outs, three clearances)
“He had a great battle with the opposition ruck, his ability to win the ball in the contest was strong. There were a few running patterns that they challenged him with from their ruckman, however I think Ollie dug his heels in and his effort was tremendous.”

Sam Toner (11 disposals, three marks, one clearance)
“I think he’s becoming a solid VFL footballer, as a winger getting back to help defensively and finding ways to equalise forward. There’s still some stoppage structure compliance we will tick off this week with him.”  

Nicholas Collier (10 disposals, three marks, one tackle)
“I thought he played a solid game, wasn’t a high possession sort of game from him. His defensive awareness and positioning improved from last week, and we are still looking forward to some more growth there.”

Mohammed Yassine (eight disposals, four tackles, one goal)
“Low possession game but his impact was really strong with tackles, had a great chase down on the near-side wing which was a momentum changer. It was great to see him get on the scoreboard.”

Sam Flockart (seven disposals, eight hit-outs, two marks)
“He competed really strongly in the air, as a full-forward he brought the ball to ground for us really strongly. He gave off a goal to Liam George in the last quarter as well, so he is playing his role.”

Seth Macdonald (five disposals, three tackles, one mark)
“Although he didn’t stuff the stats sheet, his understanding and knowledge of how to play as a key forward is really pleasing and he is someone who we think is improving each week.”

Josh Gibcus (four disposals, two marks, one tackle)
“Great to see him get through, he’s a much-loved figure at our football club, he showed some of his strengths in the aerial contests and looked really safe when he was around the ball.”

Jacob Bauer suffered an ACL injury in the third quarter. He had kicked a goal and taken four marks to that point in the match.