Jack Ross confirmed his status as Richmond’s most improved player in 2026 with his excellent exhibition in the final home-and-away round match against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium last Saturday.

The industrious midfielder racked up more than 30 disposals for the first time in his 112-game AFL career, finishing with 32 touches, as well as 12 contested possessions, six inside-50s, three clearances, a game-high and equal career-high three goal assists, seven score involvements, five tackles, three intercepts and a team-high 532 metres gained.

Across his 19 games for the season, Ross averaged an impressive, AFL career-high 23.2 disposals, career-high 10.5 contested possessions, 3.5 marks, a career-high 4.0 clearances, 3.7 inside-50s, career-high 5.2 score involvements, 3.0 intercepts and 298.8 metres gained.

Ross, who turns 26 next month, was elevated to the Club’s playing leadership group this year, and in an interview with SEN on the eve of this season, he spoke about what that added responsibility at Tigerland meant to him.

“I’m going into my eighth year now. I’m in a good place, and I'm comfortable with who I am as a player and person. The leadership stuff happened naturally, which is nice," Ross said.

“I’m 25 years old now and in a place where there's so much youth at the Club. We still have a few of the older guys, and they’re great leaders in their own right.

“I think I can be a bridge between the old and the young. We have a lot of young leaders coming through. I’m trying to help and develop them.”

He can look back now, at the end of the season, well satisfied with what he was able to achieve on that front, and with his own first-rate form.