Jasper Alger was a shining light on a bleak day for Richmond in its Round 12 clash with Sydney at the SCG.

The talented teenage forward kicked three of the Tigers’ eight goals in their 114-point loss.

He showcased his forward craft throughout the contest, scoring the first six-pointer of the game running into an open goal and then two others from skilful set-shot conversions.

Alger, who was Richmond’s eighth and final pick (No. 58 overall) in the 2024 AFL national draft, played four senior games in his 2025 debut season.

He started off at VFL level this year, producing a superb five-goal performance in that competition’s season-opener, and was rewarded with promotion to the senior side the following week against Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

Unfortunately, Alger suffered a knee injury during the second quarter of the Round 3 clash with the Dockers, which sidelined him until the big Round 11 Dreamtime at the ‘G match against Essendon.

He showed promising signs in his return that night without kicking a goal but hit the scoreboard in strong style against the Swans.

Alger clearly is shaping as a significant part of the Tiger team’s future with his all-round football attributes. He is adept both aerially and at ground level, has innate goal sense, is hard at it in the contest, and seems to have good self-belief.