Richmond's VFL team headed to Tony Sheehan Oval in Bundoora to take on Coburg in its first practice match of 2026, recording a 7.10 (52) to 6.12 (48) victory after an exciting finish to the game, with plenty of youngsters impressing for the Tigers.
The game started at breakneck pace as first-year Tiger Zaydyn Lockwood made his presence felt early, producing several big spoils and highlighting his incredible athleticism.
Lively forward Tom Ferguson played higher up the ground, breaking the game open with his pace and exceptional ball use off both his right and left foot.
Mohammed Yassine also looked lively early as he aims to back up a career-best season ahead of his fifth year at the Club.
Finally, after 15 minute of intense and pressurised football, Nick Collier broke the shackles, pushing forward, roving the ball off the pack and side-stepping an opponent before finishing off with a goal.
But Coburg almost immediately responded on the stroke of quarter-time through Hayden Polley who was rewarded after a great run-down tackle, going back and slotting the set shot from 40 metres out on a slight angle.
Despite Richmond kicking with a breeze and having many more inside-50s, it led by just four points at the first break, 1.4 (10) to 1.0 (6).
Experienced Lions ruckman Cooper Keogh started the second quarter with a bang for Coburg, taking the ball out of the ruck and snapping it through from 25 metres out.
The Lions soon got some breathing room on the scoreboard courtesy of a classy snap from Max Thompson in the right forward pocket.
The Tigers roared back into it though, with Jack Ball finding the big sticks following repeat entries, but Coburg managed to bridge the gap once again with a goal to Dom Payman.
A strong second term from Coburg saw it up by 11 points at the main break.
Richmond turned the tide in the third quarter, kicking three quick goals, two of them coming from the boot of Seth Macdonald and the other a classy finish from former St Kilda player Leo Connolly, who is heading into his first season in the yellow and black.
Zane Greenham was also on fire, playing like a man possessed through the middle of the ground, as he vies for a list spot at the Tigers in 2026.
Despite Richmond having plenty of momentum, Coburg steadied the ship, keeping the ball in the contest before a late goal from Eddie King gave the Lions a one-point lead heading into the last term.
The Tigers started the fourth quarter on the right note as Kai Daniels kicked his first goal of the day, giving his side the lead back once again.
The ball pinballed from end-to-end with neither team able to find the big sticks, until Payman once again gave Coburg the lead after his second goal of the day.
As time ticked down, the Lions were able to keep the ball in their half for long periods of time, but just when all hope looked lost for the Tigers, first-year basketball export Ned Renfree pushed forward.
He proceeded to take a towering mark before calmly slotting the drop punt from the pocket, giving Richmond the lead with just two minutes left.
In a tight final few minutes both teams gave it everything, with many players starting to cramp and looking out on their feet.
But it was the Tigers who were able to hold on and win by just four points, starting the first of four practice matches off in style. Richmond will next face Essendon next Friday.
Richmond 1.4 2.6 5.8 7.10 (52)
Coburg 1.0 4.5 5.9 6.12 (48)
Goals: Macdonald 2, Connolly 1, Collier 1, Ball 1, Daniels 1, Renfree 1
