The final full week of pre-season training before the Christmas break brought some Melbourne sunshine to the Swinburne Centre, as the group carried infectious energy into every session.

Draftee Noah Roberts-Thomson looked to be hitting his stride early in the week, running the ball with pace and lacing out his targets with his precise left foot kicking.

Patrick Retschko continued to impress with his elite running ability, making his presence known in the side's 100-meter sprints by leading from the front of the pack.

Small forward Maurice Rioli was back to his speedy best, zipping around the oval in a multi-kick drill, hitting up leads with intent and pace in his flashy new orange boots. Rioli is looking primed to enter 2026 fit and firing.

In between drills, Rhyan Mansell was showing off his elite goal-kicking skills, practising his set shots over defender Josh Gibcus as well as scooping a few ground balls off the deck to run on and snap them through the big sticks.

Richmond’s talls, Oliver Hayes-Brown and Samson Ryan, practised their ruck craft in the pocket of the oval with Ruck Coach Ivan Maric. The pair battled for position as if they were in a ruck contest on game day, making each other stronger as they tussled to win the hitout on repeat.

Seth Campbell’s forward pressure was striking, taking intercepts and laying big tackles in the gauntlet handball drill, where players were placed in a five vs five scenario working the ball to each respective endzone. Campbell’s read for the play and fast feet set him up to intercept the ball and make things challenging for the opposing team. 

Forward Mykelti Lefau made his presence felt in a nine vs seven decision-making drill, attacking the ball, breaking tackles and hitting his kick on disposal. Lefau ran up and down the wing of the oval, making himself an option and bailing his teammates out of trouble when under pressure. 

Young gun Harry Armstrong is looking primed for a big 2026 season as he impressed in a full oval scrimmage drill, where he took a big leaping mark about 45 meters out and proceeded to go back and slot the goal cleanly. His strong hands and attack on the footy are what made him a real threat in the forward line during his first year at the Swinburne Centre, a skill that has only gone from strength to strength this off-season. 

By Tuesday, the focus turned to craft work and small group analysis and skills. Campbell Gray led from the front, as he set up a drill with Jayden Short, Tyler Sonsie and Steely Green.

Gray’s confidence has grown this pre-season, proven through his voice, which he utilised during a full-ground drill, commanding his fellow backmen to switch across the half-back line.

Wednesday started with Tim Taranto showing off his impressive juggling skills while he was waiting for Luke Trainor to pull on his footy boots, before the pair decided to warm up together with some handballing and kicking. 

Trainor proceeded to get reps in with Development Coach Jack Ziebell by practising his kick off the mark and kicking after winning ground balls. The 19-year-old appeared to be moving with confidence in each stride as his skills by foot look even more dangerous than last season. 

Sam Grlj’s pace and agility were on full display mid-week, taking the ball strongly off the rebounding net, weaving through cones, and then lacing up the lead from Rioli. 

Recruit Zane Peucker appears to be growing in confidence, taking on the game by foot in a nine vs six decision-making drill. The youngster showed his ability to run and carry, and a willingness to challenge the defenders. 

Wednesday afternoon was one of connection, with the Club’s Belonging Day seeing players, coaches and admin staff come together for a uniting afternoon at the Swinburne Centre and the MCG, highlighting the strength of Richmond’s culture.

By Friday, it was full steam ahead on the hottest day of the week, with a familiar and popular face in Richmond great, Kamdyn McIntosh, watching on as the side completed their run through with voices positive and loud.

Rumour has it that the 213-gamer said that while he misses his mates, he doesn’t miss the running sessions that the pre-season serves up!

Dion Prestia led Campbell, Liam Fawcett and James Trezise in a small group skills session, while Jacob Hopper and Taranto took the draftees through touch.

Sam Cumming’s ability to read the play is on the improve, as he commanded the backline through a full-ground run through, before finding himself moving through the middle and supporting an energised Sam Lalor.

Grlj was a standout, and he confidently collected ground balls, taking on Noah Balta in the contest and shimmying through with speed.

Trainor was showing off his improved speed as he completed quick laps in the heat, while Taj Hotton joined Josh Smillie in the heat room on the exercise bikes.

Also, Retschko is still rocking those epic green boots.

With the final full week of pre-season training over, the squad will look ahead to a handful of skill sessions next week, before the Christmas break begins next Wednesday afternoon.