With just 50 days remaining until Richmond’s Round 1 clash with Carlton, pre-season training is ramping up as the side lifts its intensity and efforts in preparation for the season.
Now in his 11th pre-season at the Swinburne Centre, defender Nathan Broad is well accustomed to the gruelling sessions and relentless efforts required to become match-ready. This summer, he has been pleasantly impressed by how the Club's younger players have embraced the challenge.
“It is starting to come around quickly. We are about a month away from our first practice game with the Bombers, so it is here before you know it,” Broad told Richmond Media.
“Training is starting to ramp up now. We have started match play, which has been nice, and there are a lot of young boys out there and a lot of new faces, so it’s been exciting.
“As you can imagine, with a lot of 18 and 19-year-olds, there is a lot of energy.”
Early signs this pre-season have been promising, with Sam Grlj and Patrick Retschko bringing speed and power to Punt Road.
“I've got Sammy Grlj down back and he has been quite impressive. He is very quick and has extreme leg speed,” Broad said.
“Pat Retschko has been outstanding up and down the wing, and he has an unbelievable tank. He is leading all our GPS numbers at the moment, so he has come in really good.”
The Tigers' second year players have also gone from strength to strength, showing their ability to compete with the team's best.
“From last year’s crop, Sammy Lalor hasn’t missed a beat, so it’s nice to see him out there getting a good run at it, which he deserves,” Broad said.
“And probably our two key forwards that are out there at the moment, Jonty Faull and H (Harry Armstrong), they have been outstanding, and for 19-year-olds, they have bodies like 30-year-old men. I’m super excited to see what they can do.”
Broad also praised 22-year-old Campbell Gray for demonstrating strong leadership within the group and emerging as a key voice in the backline, as he and fellow defender Nick Vlastuin ease back into full training.
“Tigga (Vlastuin) and I have had a slower approach to the pre-season because we are getting older and not getting any younger, so the Club has gone with a conservative approach,” he said.
“It has been great for Tigga and I on our bodies, but it has also been great for these other key defenders to really stand up and lead the way without us being out there, and Campbell has been the one to really grab it by the horns the most.
“His leadership has been outstanding; you can hear him throughout all sessions, so I’m super excited to see what Campbell can do this year.”
The 32-year-old added his training loads continue to build as the February 20 Match Simulation against Essendon approaches.
“I’m ramping things up now, and I’ll drip feed into match play now, so I’m really happy with where my body is at and super rapt with the Club allowing me to freshen up a bit, which has been good,” Broad said.
Broad also provided insight on the prospect of what this young group could achieve in 2026, as they look to build upon last year's promising signs.
“With this young group, you can’t think too far ahead of where we are. Last year was outstanding from where we got to, but I think we lost five games that were under a kick, so if we can transfer those five games into wins, that would be outstanding," he said.
“The thing is, it’s not just going to happen. We have to keep reminding the group that last year was last year and this year is a new year.
“I think the group is on a really good track, the coaches have been really good, Ooze (Adem Yze) has been awesome, so we are on the right track, but the proof will be in the pudding when we start playing opposition.”
