Speed and power.

Those are the two attributes that vice-captain Tim Taranto has been most excited about seeing come to life, as this new wave of Richmond midfielders attempts to take the competition by storm.

“I prefer the game when it is open and moving. I think endurance is one of my best attributes, so when the game is free-flowing, it’s probably the best thing for me,” Taranto told SEN.  

“There is no doubt that our midfield, especially over the last few years, needed some work and getting some more speed through there, so I think we have the cattle now.

“(Sam) Lalor has power, (Sam) Cumming has got speed and power, Taj Hotton has all of that stuff too, so I think when these boys find their feet in there, they will definitely be getting a run through there, and we will be a lot better for it.”

Amongst the crop of new Tigers, one has especially caught Taranto’s eye.

“It’s hard to go past Lalor. I haven’t seen a kid like him, to be honest,” Taranto said.

“He is pretty special, and I reckon he is only at about 50 per cent of what he is going to be.

“He has barely done any footy in his juniors. He has been a cricketer who has probably been eating chocolate and hitting sixes, and now he is getting into his first pre-season, and he is probably at 50 per cent. You give him another three or four years in the system, and he is going to be scary.”

With the right talent firmly placed within Richmond’s list, the two-time Jack Dyer Medallist is confident he can help lead his team up the ladder, with the goal of winning matches still the main objective.

“We want to win. I think we are capable of doing some real damage and climbing up the ladder,” Taranto said.  

“I think for me more personally, just seeing more green on the board after games. We won five games last year, but we were very inconsistent. We had some good games, and we had some really poor games.

“If we can be more consistent and challenge more teams consistently, that will be the main thing.

“We have no doubt that we can climb up the ladder and do some real damage.”

The vice-captain has taken his elevated leadership role in full stride, enjoying helping his young teammates get the best out of themselves as they develop into elite AFL players.

“It’s been bloody fun to watch from my position,” Taranto said.

“Some of these kids, they are incredibly talented. The world is their oyster, and I guess it is my job to help them get the best out of themselves.

“Because when they do, I think we are going to be a pretty dangerous team.”