From pick No.7 in the 2025 AFL draft to making his AFL debut in Round 7 of the 2026 season, Sam Cumming has quickly established himself as a key pillar of Richmond’s midfield brigade.

After playing 14 games in his first year, the 19-year-old was grateful for the exposure and hopes to build on his form as he embarks on a big 2027 campaign.

“It was good. I definitely had a few challenges along the way, but I think I learnt a lot, and I’m just ready to go for next year,” Cumming told Richmond Media.

“I made a lot of connections. I think we're ready to build, and we're heading in the right direction."

Pulling on the guernsey for the first time in Richmond’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Melbourne, the in-and-under midfielder collected 13 touches, five total clearances, three tackles and a goal on debut.  

“It's a huge occasion, Anzac Day Eve. I remember the horse walking around and the MCG is dark and you get chills just thinking about it...it's pretty special,” Cumming said.

Cumming went on to claim his first AFL win the following week in the side’s victory over West Coast – an affirming moment in his young career, reinforcing that he belonged at the level and giving him a taste of success.

“I think it had been a rough start to the year for a few of the boys, so being able to get that win and have a bit of a reset and keep building and keep going from there really helped us in the back end of the year,” Cumming said.

Unfortunately, Cumming’s season was cut short after Round 21 having to undergo shoulder surgery in hopes of best preparing him for the 2027 season.

Despite the injury setback, Cumming didn’t quiver from the challenge he faced in his first season, showcasing his tenacity and willingness to be first to the football at every contest. 

“I think just going into every game, without thinking about it and then just going out there to play footy is sort of what my mindset was, so I'll definitely keep doing that going forward,” he said.

“Everything went well. Surgery was a success, so I'm ready to head into next year.

“I want to just play the majority of the year, try and get a full season out and get fit and get my body right, then hopefully I'll set myself up for a really good year.”

On the latest episode of Talking Tigers, coach Adem Yze held high praise for the first-year player, acknowledging Cumming’s resilience and willingness to improve himself each day. 

"He earned the respect of his teammates from the minute he walked into our footy club, and then he had the unfortunate little setback with his shoulder, but you wouldn't have known it...he was playing at 70% for the 14 games that he played,” Yze said.

"Obviously we'd prepared him, he had a clear understanding of what date he was going to go in because what we wanted to do was obviously get as many games and make sure that he didn't have any interruption, but at the same time, let's book in your surgery so it doesn't impact on your pre-season. 

"For a young kid to get through a season and do that, with that in the back of his mind, it's just the type of guy that we've got, and that's why he went so high in the Draft.”