Richmond's first VFL team of the season has been locked in, with a debutant expected to excite in the yellow and black.

Ned Renfree is set to make his debut, after coming back into football following his time representing Australia as a junior basketballer, as well as a stint overseas with the Milwaukee Panthers in college.

Hailing from Ballarat, Victoria, the 19-year-old grew up playing football, where he rose through the talent pathways and represented the GWV Rebels alongside Sam Lalor and Jonty Faull.

Alongside him will be Club debutants Olli Hotton, Sam Philp and Leo Connolly, who joined the program in the off-season.

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Hotton, who is the older brother of second-year Tiger Taj Hotton, was selected with pick 35 in the 2022 AFL draft by St Kilda. He would go on to play 24 games for Sandringham, the Saints' former VFL side, before joining North Melbourne VFL last year, where he played three matches. The 21-year-old boasts elite pace and silky handball skills, with the ability to impact through the midfield and hit the scoreboard up forward.

He'll be joined by fellow Club debutant Connolly, who joined Richmond over the summer, after stints with St Kilda and Casey. Drafted by the Saints with the 64^th pick in the 2019 AFL draft, Connolly went on to feature in seven games across four seasons at Moorabbin, averaging 12 disposals, and making his AFL debut in Round 15 of the 2021 season.

The final Club debutant will be Philp, who was previously on Carlton’s AFL list, drafted as a first-round pick in 2019. He went on to make his AFL debut in Round 4, 2020, against Essendon. The recruit spent last season with Port Melbourne, dominating off half-forward and using his explosiveness to provide run as an inside midfielder.

Excitingly, a host of AFL faces will also join the ranks for Round 1, with defenders Campbell Gray and Josh Gibcus to take to Kinetic Stadium on Saturday.

Vice-captain Mutaz El Nour lines up in defence, alongside Gray, Luke Trainor, Nick Collier, Gibcus and Kaleb Smith.

Oliver Hayes-Brown takes his spot in the ruck, with followers Harry Scott and Philp. Austin Johnson, skipper Lachlan Street and Patrick Retschko make up the centreline.

The forward line will be chocked full of AFL talent, including fresh recruits Zane Peucker, Noah Roberts-Thomson and Tom Burton. They'll be joined by Liam Fawcett, Jasper Alger and Sam Toner in front of goal.

Tom Ferguson, leader Liam George, Connolly, Renfree and Hotton will start on the interchange.

The first bounce at Kinetic Stadium is set for 10:00am (AEDT) this Saturday, with the game live streamed on Kayo Sports and the AFL website.

All matches in the 2026 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website and the AFL Live Official App and VFL App. 

To follow match updates, stay tuned to Richmond VFL on X, and Instagram.

Round 1, Richmond VFL v Southport, Saturday, March 21, 10:00am AEDT, Kinetic Stadium