While it was a challenging season for Richmond’s VFL side, there were still some standout players across 2026.
Here are some of the Tigers' leading players throughout the course of the season.
Mutaz El Nour
The reigning Guinane Medallist had another very strong season, again making his mark as a prolific intercept defender.
El Nour was in scintillating early season form and although he dropped off a touch as the season progressed, it was another great campaign from the athletic 192cm backman.
The vice-captain averaged 16.3 disposals per game, with more than half of those being intercept possessions and he also pulled down seven marks per game.
Since crossing over to Richmond from the Northern Bullants in 2023, El Nour has been a picture of consistency and remains one of the Tigers' most important players.
Sam Toner
The 20-year-old went to another level this season, playing a mixture of forward and on the wing throughout 2026.
Toner put himself on the map this year, kicking 21 goals while averaging 14 touches per game.
He has fantastic forward craft and displayed that on a number of occasions against AFL-listed players, most notably against St Kilda early in the season when he kicked a bag of six goals.
He also kicked three against Southport and Williamstown, but one of his most impressive outings came against Essendon, gathering 24 disposals and three goals in more of a high half-forward/wing role.
Across the course of the season, Toner became one of the Tigers' most exciting and reliable players.
Olli Hotton
In a season with plenty of changes and inconsistencies, Hotton remained a constant for Richmond and continued to churn out strong performances in the midfield.
He also spent some time as a hard-running half forward this season, but did his best work in the middle of the ground, averaging 20.4 disposals per game.
The 21-year-old is one of a few VFL-listed Tigers with AFL experience, having spent two seasons on St Kilda’s list before reuniting with brother and AFL-listed Tiger Taj this year.
Hotton was one of Richmond’s most potent clearance players, picking up four per game across the course of the season.
Nick Collier
The 22-year-old is an absolute workhorse and great team man for Richmond, able to play a number of different roles with a minimum of fuss.
Collier was able to play on and shut down some of the most dangerous small forwards in the VFL, while also moving into the midfield at times and adding real ferocity and vigour to the on-ball brigade.
He did a bit of everything this year, averaging 16 disposals, four marks and five tackles per game, while always doing the one-percenters and helping out his teammates.
Collier has become an extremely strong VFL player over his past three seasons at Tigerland, but has undoubtedly taken his game to new heights in 2026.
Harry Scott
After finishing third in the Club's best and fairest last season, Scott enjoyed another strong year in the yellow and black.
Perennially used as a midfielder throughout his first two years on Richmond’s VFL list, Scott played both off half-back and in the centre of the ground this year.
He showed great versatility and has a bright future ahead, averaging 19 disposals and five tackles per game this season.
Scott compiled some huge games, which included a 26-disposal, 10 tackle effort against Williamstown in Round 7, before following it up with 26 disposals, nine tackles, seven clearances and five inside-50s a few weeks later.
It looks like quite an open race for the Guinane Medal this year and the 21-year-old is certainly a chance to take home his first.
Captain Lachlan Street, midfielder Sam Philp, running half-back Leo Connolly and emerging utility Aaron Sharkie were also consistent performers throughout the season and became key cogs in the Tigers line-up.
The likes of Zach O’Keefe, Zaydyn Lockwood, James Milner, Ned Renfree and Kai Stewart all showed impressive signs throughout the season and are part of the next wave of talented youngsters coming through Richmond’s VFL program.
