Richmond's VFL season kicked off with a bang in Round 1, with an impressive 40-point win over the Southport Sharks.

Here's how new coach Jack Madgen assessed the performance of each player.

Liam Fawcett (2 goals, 15 disposals, 8 marks, 8 score involvements)
"Liam played a strong game. He was our only key forward and competed really well in the air. This was capped off by four contested marks and six shots at goal. He has now put together a good block of footy which has been built off the back of aerial power and forward craft."

Josh Gibcus (11 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles)
"Gibbo did a great job on a big key forward and former AFL player for Southport. His aerial power and ability to shut down the opposition's exit kicks were a stand out. As the game opened up, his running capacity stood out, as he was able to link up in the offence and help our ball movement. He was a brick wall in defence."

Campbell Gray (11 disposals, 6 marks, 8 kicks)
"Campbell had a strong game. His read-and-react behind the ball enabled us to play a front-half game. His aerial power was great, resulting in four intercept marks and a lot of come-forward spoils. He was our second ruck which gave us a unique look around the ground with his athleticism and poise. He led the way in our trademark areas and displayed great leadership."

Oliver Hayes-Brown (17 disposals, 17 hitouts, 4 clearances, 4 marks)
"Hayes-Brown had a big challenge coming up against a dominate VFL ruckman in Brayden Crossley. Although we lost hitouts on the day, Ollie showcased his ability on ground level and in the air with 15 contested possessions and four contested marks. I am really enjoying seeing him continue to develop his ruck craft and assert himself on games at the VFL level."

Jasper Alger (5 goals, 15 disposals, 4 marks)
"Jasper had an outstanding game, which stemmed from his competitiveness in the air, his read-and-react to get forward and his ability to be strong in the contest and burst to space. He finished with five goals on the day and was a challenging match-up for the opposition."

Noah Roberts-Thomson (13 disposals, 3 clearances, 3 marks, 3 tackles)
"NRT had another really strong game. He looked dangerous as a forward and his contest in the air and on ground was positive. Southport provided some challenges for our tall forwards with their ball use, but NRT, along with the other smalls, were pivotal in playing a front-half game and taking out their uncontested marks."

Zane Peucker (1 goal, 12 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance)
"Zane played well for his first taste of senior footy. He worked his way into the game and hit the scoreboard. His forward patterns back to goal were really impressive. If he keeps up that intent and effort, he will continue to impress. I loved his intent to defend in the forward half and keep the ball in."

Luke Trainor (16 disposals, 14 kicks)
"Luke had another impressive game down back. His aerial and ball use were stand outs. I am loving his decision making - when to spoil and mark. His ability to win the ball on the ground and kickstart our offence was a stand out. His attitude and effort have been great and he continues to show up in our trademark vision."

Tom Burton (1 goal, 16 disposals, 9 kicks)
"Burton played his role well and kicked his first goal at senior level. He had five scoring shots, but what was most impressive was his defensive intent. He had multiple spoils in the front half and a great chase down tackle on one of the league's fastest players in the last quarter."

Kaleb Smith (26 disposals, 7 marks, 17 kicks)
"Kaleb played a really mature and strong game across half back. His ability to play high up the ground, and deep on dangerous forwards was impressive. He used the ball well by foot and impacted when it was his turn in the air. I loved how he ran out the game. He really controlled the last quarter, through work rate and ball use."

Patrick Retschko (24 disposals, 4 marks, 13 kicks)
"Pat controlled his wing all day. He covered outlets to keep the ball in our front half well. His running power and aerial contests in one-on-one situations were stand outs. Pat only played three quarters (AFL carry over), yet still had a big impact on the result of the game. He has put together a good block of footy now."

Ned Renfree (9 disposals, 3 tackles, 2 marks)
"It was Ned's first game of VFL. He was really composed when he got the ball. It was capped off by a goal assist to Harry Scott in the second quarter. His ability to halve a contest when out of position was important for our forward line. He's a combative player that I'm sure the fans will love to see grow, because he's fun to coach."

Sam Toner (3 goals, 12 disposals, 9 kicks)
"Sam kicked three goals, playing forward and a little bit of wing. His forward craft is really impressive. He kicked our first goal for the 2026 campaign with a lovely finish from the boundary. He's getting better every game I watch him play."

Liam George (1 goal, 17 disposals, 6 marks)
"George started the game really well on the wing. His work rate and contest was strong. He took a nice little hanger that he's reminded everybody of in the last quarter. He's always leading the 'team first' trademark and is a real culture setter for the program. I'm glad he got some reward for all the little things he does."

Lachlan Street (24 disposals, 14 kicks, 4 marks)
"The skipper had a strong game. His ability to play his role for the team, lead by example, and just be strong in decision-making with the football and without it was fantastic. A real standout."

Sam Philp (8 disposals, 2 tackles)
"Sam was on debut for the Club and got off to a good start to the game. Unfortunately, he hurt his shoulder in the first quarter, and we decided not to play him for the rest of the game. His contest was good against some really prominent midfielders for Southport. He tried his guts out for the team while he was on. He's a pleasure to coach, and I'm sure he'll be back soon."

Olli Hotton (27 disposals, 7 clearances, 2 tackles)
"Olli played inside midfield and got plenty of the footy. I love when he gets the ball out of stoppage and uses his leg drive. He found a better balance of defence and attack this week. He was on debut for the Club as well, and I was really happy with how he played."

Harry Scott (21 disposals, 1 goal, 2 clearances, 2 tackles)
"Harry had a job to do in the second half on one of the best players in the competition, Jacob Dawson from Southport. I thought he curbed his influence well. He finished with a nice goal, had a couple of goal assists and was able to inflict in defence. I love Harry's ability to get the ball from inside the contest."

Austin Johnson (13 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances)
"Austin played half back, midfield and wing with ease. His defensive efforts were really pleasing, but when it was his chance to get on the end of a couple of goals, and be damaging with the football, he was. He teleports on your screen when you're watching the game. He's super fit, super skilful, and he played a really solid game."

Mutaz El Nour (16 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, 5 marks)
"Mutaz was unreal. He had 11 intercept possessions on the day, which is outstanding. His craft was really good and his decisions with the ball were sound. He doesn't make many mistakes. I just love the way he competes. I would hate to be a forward and seeing him line up next to you at the start of the game because you know you're in for a long day."

Nick Collier (17 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles)
"Nick gets better as the game goes on with his extremely high work rate. Later in the game, when everyone is fatigued, he’s running on top. His front half defence was a stand out. There's so many times in the game where he's coming forward off his man to help impact the layer in front of him. He does a lot of unrewarded things for the team."

Tom Ferguson (11 disposals, 8 kicks, 2 marks, 1 tackle)
"Tom was a late call up, and without ideal preparation, he was able to come in, play a really strong role for the team and play multiple positions. What I love about Ferguson is his cleanliness. He never looked like he's rushed, which is a really good skill to have."

Leo Connolly (22 disposals, 16 kicks, 5 marks)
"Leo played his first game for the Club. After having a couple years off footy, his ball use was exceptional with both feet. His ability - when he has the football in his hands - to find time and space, looked above the level."