After wrapping up Richmond’s exit and season review meetings for 2025, Adem Yze joined SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning to provide updates on key players.

Yze was questioned on the progress of draftee Josh Smillie, who is yet to make his much-anticipated AFL debut.

“He is travelling well, he has been out there training, and I’ve seen him over the last few days,” Yze said.

“He got his body to a position (this season) where he was really unlucky and unfortunate not to play VFL finals, but he was really close to getting that exposure late in the year.

“He is a highly talented kid, and realistically, we got two first-round picks coming in this year, and we can add Josh to that as well, because he hasn’t tasted AFL yet.”

23:17

'Really looking forward to the future' - Yze

SEN's Garry and Tim speak to Adem Yze about the last two years and what more is to come.

Noah Balta featured in 13 games across the season, and Yze opened up around the work the 25-year-old had been doing within the Club to earn back respect.

“Within our four walls, he handled it really well, but it was a tough year,” Yze said.

“When you are missing games of footy, which was his own fault, but when you are missing games of footy when you are fit, it can be really tough.

“He tried to still be a good leader around the footy club and help our young defenders.

“I saw him do a lot of one-on-one work and coach our players out on the field to fast-track their development.

“He is obviously really remorseful for that, and it was a really disappointing year for him, but to his credit, right now and at the end of the season, he has been in there every day making sure that he can repay the faith and respect that he lost from not only us, but the supporters and the Tiger Army.

“He felt like he let a lot of people down (this) year, and he is a really proud person, and hopefully this brings out the best in him.” 

When reflecting on his early career as head coach, Yze draws strength from leading a young list, with the hopes of growing with his side for years to come.

“We've gone from the second or third oldest to one of the youngest teams in the comp right now,” Yze said.

“So that was different for a young coach, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

“The things I had to deal with last year have held me in good stead moving forward, and now we just have this excitement that I can grow with together.”