Richmond’s VFL coach Jack Madgen was extremely impressed with 200cm key defender Kye Annand’s debut for the Tigers in last Saturday’s match against Sydney at Tramway Oval.

Annand, recruited by Richmond from Geelong’s VFL program in last week’s AFL mid-season rookie draft, finished the match with 13 disposals, four marks, seven intercepts and several timely spoils on opponents’ marking attempts.

“He played on a really good player today, Joel Hamling, who’s been playing really well. He (Hamling) didn’t have heaps of impact, he was maybe a little bit sore, but I thought Kye was awesome,” Madgen told Richmond Media in a post-game interview.

“He had some massive plays out there today, which is good to see.

“It freed up Mutaz (El Nour) to play up the ground a little bit. They’re a really good one-two punch back there. 

“I just love the way he slotted in. He’s bought in straight away.”