Richmond’s top draft pick of 2025, Sam Cumming, will make his highly anticipated debut against Melbourne on Friday night.
Selected with pick seven in the 2025 AFL Draft, the 18-year-old has impressed throughout his short time at the Swinburne Centre, having a strong pre-season.
It follows his impressive comeback from his shoulder injury, that has seen him find his feet and stand tall at VFL level.
Namely, it was his outing against the Australian U18 Academy last week, which helped him earn the call-up to make his senior debut.
In the practice match at IKON Park last Saturday, Cumming amassed 30 disposals, five inside-50s, five marks and a goal.
He also played limited minutes in Richmond’s Round 3 VFL win over St Kilda, collecting 11 disposals, six tackles and two clearances in just one half of football.
Born and raised in Wentworth, New South Wales, Cumming moved to Adelaide in 2023, where he boarded at Prince Alfred College and played football for North Adelaide.
Cumming made an immediate impact in South Australian football circles, including winning the SANFL U/18 MVP award as a bottom-aged player last year.
He averaged 17 disposals and a goal as part of South Australia’s National Championships winning team in 2025 and earned All-Australian selection.
In his short time at Richmond, he has stood tall and impressed his teammates and coaches alike, with Richmond's Executive General Manager, Football Performance, Tim Livingstone, singing the teenager's praises.
"We are so excited about him playing footy for us. He's clean and he's got a terrific attitude towards the game," Livingstone said on Talking Tigers.
The midfielder becomes Richmond’s fourth debutant this season, joining fellow 2025 draftee Sam Grlj who debuted in Round 1, Oliver Hayes-Brown and Patrick Retschko.
Cumming will debut against Melbourne in the traditional Anzac Day Eve clash at the MCG this Friday night from 7.40pm (AEST).
