The vibes were high at the Swinburne Centre heading into another big week of pre-season training.
As the Melbourne temperature began to climb, so did the energy on the track early in the morning, with the players going through their running paces.
Steely Green was impressive and focused early, as he and Campbell Gray confidently completed their run-throughs and encouraged their teammates to keep up the pace as the mercury climbed.
Tom Lynch was silky smooth in full ground pattern drills, as he fed the ball to the ever-vocal and fast Jayden Short on the run, who was able to feed the ball inside 50 to a pouncing Mykelti Lefau on the run.
Taj Hotton was sharp in front of goal, as he snapped off a tidy Toby Nankervis tap down, after collecting the ball with just one hand on the run.
Match simulation concluded Monday’s heated session, as Ben Miller commanded the backline and took an impressive contested mark, to help set up Noah Roberts-Thomson on the run, who fed the ball to Kaleb Smith, before it ended in a goal for Rhyan Mansell.
Unity was on show as Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto led from the middle, guiding Sam Grlj and helping the young draftee utilise his pace to deliver the ball cleanly to Liam Fawcett at full forward.
James Trezise was powerful in defence, as he laid an impressive tackle just metres from goal, earning the ball back and handing it off to Miller up the line.
Noah Balta was confident in the air, as he marked and handed the ball off to Tyler Sonsie striding along the wing.
Sam Banks appeared to be hitting his stride in a multi-kick drill on Wednesday, leading up hard off the cone and hitting his targets by foot.
Similarly, Seth Campbell was making strong leads, receiving the ball at half-forward, then moving the ball on with a piercing kick to Jasper Alger in the pocket. The pair were in fine form, showcasing their elite foot speed and ability to mark the ball in the air.
The squad then moved into working within their respective line groups, which saw the forwards practice their tackling craft and transiting the ball inside 50.
Hotton set the tone, charging full speed at the tackling bag, then picking up the crumb to deliver the ball off to Green.
In the centre of the oval, it was Kane McAuliffe dominating the stoppage work with his explosiveness and clean hands at ground level. Jack Ross also impressed, showing composure around the football and keeping his opponent at bay.
Towards the end of the session, draftee Roberts-Thomson was showing his skill set in a nine vs seven drill, on both wings of the oval. The youngster took a strong overhead mark, quickly playing on and hitting a 35-meter kick to move the ball towards the attacking end.
Come Friday, it was time for another intense three quarters of match simulation.
Patrick Retschko set the tone early on the wing, scooping up a loose ball to then lace out Sonsie in the forward pocket.
Sonsie was everywhere, dominating at stoppage, winning the ball at both ends of the ground, and providing valuable metres gained for his team.
Gray took a leaping intercept mark, playing on straight away to hit Mansell 40 meters out, giving him a set shot on goal.
Veteran defender Nathan Broad returned to match simulation, having an immediate impact when he took to the field. Broad was spoiling balls, impacting the contest and moving the ball long down the line.
Miller was prolific down back, taking intercept marks and providing one-on-one competition for young forward Harry Armstrong as the two battled it out in an aerial contests.
Armstrong held his own, creating space and making opportunities for himself with strong leads up the ground, in one instance resulting in a set shot goal.
Jonty Faull showed positive signs, returning to match play after injuring his ankle, providing strong leads out of the forward line to set himself up for shots on goal. The second-year forward nailed a goal from about 60-metres out in an exciting sign for all Tiger fans.
Once again, Ross delivered in the midfield with his in-and-under attack on the football, winning it at ground level. Ross’ skills looked sharp, hitting a kick on a 45-degree angle inside his attacking 50.
Taranto was a standout, with his constant run and work rate around the ground setting him up for a goal late in the match, after a short kick from Maurice Rioli.
The very next play out of the middle, Rioli shone again, receiving the ball cleanly out of the centre square and lacing up Green at pace.
Draftees Zane Peucker and Sam Cumming each had strong moments at stoppage, showing their ability to get in and under to win the footy.
Late in the second term, Alger took a set shot on what appeared to be an impossible angle on the 50-meter line, only to go back and kick it straight through the big sticks. The goal was met with big celebrations from his teammates.
Dion Prestia was at his best, kicking a high-flying snap goal on the run after dodging his way through traffic.
It wouldn’t be match simulation without an epic Rioli chase-down tackle. This time it was Gray who drew the short straw after hitting the ball with pace and looking to move it on quickly by foot, but little did he know Rioli was on his tail and took a diving tackle just seconds before Gray went to kick it, resulting in a holding the ball.
Ollie Hayes-Brown and Lefau competed all day in the ruck, providing great outlets for their teammates.
After a strong hit-out under the hot Melbourne sun, the squad went through their warm downs in role mastery before breaking for lunch and finishing the day with Matt Duffie’s tackling session.
On Saturday, Richmond headed to Cardinia for an open training, kids clinic and family day with the Tiger Army.
