As Richmond prepares to host the Brisbane Lions at Hobart’s Ninja Stadium this Sunday, Tasmanian product Sam Banks is relishing the opportunity to play in front of his family and friends in the state where his football journey first began.

Round 14 marks the first of two home games Richmond will host in Tasmania in 2026 and 2027, as part of a multimillion-dollar deal, strengthening the Club’s connection with the local community and the Tiger Army throughout the state.

It has created an opportunity that a younger Banks didn’t have growing up.

“I think it's something that when I grew up, there wasn't really a chance to do it, so for a big Club like us to be able to go down there and have all the fans come, I remember last year's [Round 23] captain's run, we had a massive, massive crowd there for that,” Banks told Richmond Media.

“Being able to catch up with the family as well as play in front of some pretty passionate Tiger fans down there is always good, so I’m looking forward to the weekend.

“Hopefully, we can bounce back from last week's performance, but it'll be good to get down and see the family, and hopefully, the weather turns it on for us.”

Raised in Whitefoord, Tasmania, Banks enjoyed a prosperous junior career, representing both the Sorell Football Club and Central Hawks Football Club.

He went on to captain his state in the Under-16s National Championships, where he earned All-Australian selection as a junior.

Banks looks back at his junior career fondly, as it was the foundation of the hard-running half-back man he has become today at Richmond.

“They were my first two junior clubs growing up [Sorrel and Central Hawks], so I played down at Sorell,” Banks said.

“Still a lot of my close mates play senior footy there, and my dad played there, my brother played there, so I still follow those boys closely.

“I played up at Central Hawks as well when I was pretty young with a fair few schoolmates, who I'm also still really close with, so they were good memories.”

Fresh off the bye, the Tigers have returned rested and focused for this weekend's clash against the Lions.

“We’ll head into all our [opposition meetings] later on in the week, but we've reviewed Sydney pretty quickly, and we've been able to get away and have the bye, and I think everyone's come back with a lot of energy and feeling refreshed,” Banks said.

“Hopefully, we can go into the game against Brisbane on Sunday pretty fresh and put up a good fight against them.”