Richmond’s first pick in the 2025 AFL draft, Sam Cumming, is looking to make his mark in the yellow and black, with aspirations for a Round 1 debut firmly in his sights.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful pre-season, taking notes from the team’s prolific ball winners as he navigates his first year in the AFL system.

“Tim Taranto and Jack Ross have been massive for me,” Cumming told FiveAA.

“Teaching me stoppage craft, running patterns, and they have taught me the next steps to what makes an AFL footballer.

“I’m just trying to learn everything that I can.”

Coach Adem Yze has been another influential mentor for Cumming, making his transition to senior football feel seamless.

“He has been great, a real mentor,” Cumming said.

“He has been in the game for a long time and knows a lot about it, and I’m looking forward to what happens this year, and I’ve predominantly been training as a midfielder.”

Hailing from Wentworth in New South Wales, Cumming moved to Adelaide for boarding school, where he got valuable reps in the SANFL competition, representing the North Adelaide Football Club. 

The hard-nosed midfielder excelled at state level and was an integral part of South Australia’s Under-18s Championship team in 2025.

Cumming said his SANFL career has put him in good standing to succeed at the AFL level.

“Those two years (in the under 18s) have been some of my strongest footy, so that has definitely helped me get drafted,” he said.

“I was able to work on my craft in the midfield and up forward, so to get a few opportunities to play at the league level really set me up well to get drafted.

“Everything is going smoothly, my body has been holding up well against men and bigger bodies in my first full pre-season.

“I think I have been holding my own in there, and hopefully I can string some games together this year.”

Cumming has shown a real sense of confidence in the midfield throughout pre-season match simulation, consistently backing his instincts and moving the ball with composure. 

As Richmond gears up to face Essendon in next Friday's practice match, the young draftee looms as one to watch, set to tests himself against AFL competition for the first time.

“Pre-season has been long and tough, but I’m looking forward to getting into some games now,” Cumming said.