Richmond’s newest signing, Kieren Briggs, is looking forward to embracing his role as a workhorse and a leader at the Swinburne Centre.

Speaking for the first time as a Tiger, Briggs told Richmond Media the collection of young talent on the list excites him, and he has already established strong connections with his new teammates. 

“I've met a lot of the boys already, and they all seem like super guys. I feel like the club's done a great job in developing them, and I feel like we haven't seen the best in a lot of them,” Briggs said.

“That's going to be exciting to see their development over another summer. Hopefully we can get a few more numbers on the track. 

“I know that's been a teething issue, but I just want to come in and play my role and be picked for what I'm good at, and if I can help those kids grow and not just become better footballers but become better people, that'll be one of my aspirations.”

The 26-year-old ruckman ranked fifth in the competition for hit-outs during a career-best 2024 season, while he averaged 12 disposals, 24 hit-outs and 3.4 tackles per game in 2026.

While Briggs will continue to use his physicality to his advantage, he is also exploring ways to grow his skill set, a testament to his commitment and work ethic.

“That workhorse, follow up around the ruck contest and obviously the game's changed a little bit in the ruck dynamic, but I've been working a little bit of trying to get off the ground a bit more, so hopefully we can see that next year,” Briggs said.

The 201cm Pennant Hills product is set to create an imposing ruck combination with captain Toby Nankervis, while also reconnecting with his former GWS teammate Tim Taranto in the midfield.

Sprinkle in the promising youngsters Richmond is running through the midfield, and it’s a unit Briggs can’t wait to work with.

“[Nankervis and I] have had a few conversations, he's obviously been a great leader for the Club for a very long time, and I'm excited to see what we can do together,” Briggs said.

“It's going to be nice to reunite with Timmy and those young guys too. I know Sammy [Lalor] is going to be a superstar, he already is, Taj [Hotton], those guys, they can show a lot of flair, and a lot of fight as well. I know that they're going to be up for it.”

Come the middle of next year, Briggs, along with the entire Richmond Football Club, will move into the new Swinburne Centre at the Punt Road Oval.

Having walked through the redevelopment recently, Briggs called “the raw size of the place is just phenomenal”, with the new facility adding to his enthusiasm about joining a big, traditional Victorian club. 

“That was a lot of the sell,” Briggs said.

“It's time for a fresh start, and coming down to Melbourne, getting inside that football atmosphere, I'm really looking forward to it. I've been welcomed with open arms so far, and everyone at the Club's been great.”