Last Saturday's Captain's Run looked a little different, with Richmond players inviting their fathers and mentors for a kick at the Swinburne Centre.

The annual exercise aims to give fathers and mentors an inside look at what happens at the Club every day while also thanking them for their unwavering support.

“We had the dads in at training, and it was a really nice moment post-game that we could bring them into the rooms and share those moments with their young lads,” Adem Yze said after Richmond’s win over West Coast.

“Talking to a few of them, the way we played (against West Coast) made them really proud, and that’s what we have been trying to do.

“I’ve been talking about how we are trying to make our Tiger Army proud, but they (their dads and mentors) are their support network as young lads, and we need to make the people at home proud as well.”

Among the fathers in attendance was Sam Lalor's dad, Steve, who attempted to wind back the clock with a diving leap at a high-flying ball kicked by his son. 

Steve unfortunately came up short, but it is evident where his son Sam gets his courage from.

“Well, the sun was in our eyes, as you’ll hear from most of the dads, but I was hoping Sam would look after me, but he sent it about 20-stories up and made it a little bit difficult,” Steve said when describing the mark attempt.

“It just came out of the sun last minute, and I had to make a big dive, and I touched it with a finger.”  

For every triumph and every setback, the Richmond dads and mentors have stood by them each step of the way - a sounding board for when things get tough.

“Any parent that has to deal with their kids getting injured like that has to ride a bit of a rollercoaster, but it’s just good to see him out there having fun,” Steve Lalor said.

“He had his moments, and we discussed a few things about him just getting away and just being a bit of a sounding board. When he needs to talk about it, we are always available.”