After a dominant second quarter by Gold Coast, Richmond’s VFL side fought their way back into the contest, before eventually going down by 17-points last Saturday afternoon at People First Stadium. Here’s how coach Jake Bachelor assessed the performance of each player.

Harry Scott (25 disposals, six marks, four score involvements)
“Started the game off slowly like most of the boys, but he built into the game really well. His tenacious attitude around the field increased really well.”

Lachlan Wilson (20 disposals, four marks, three tackles)
“He played as a high half-forward in the first half, he just kept chasing all half because our stoppages were quite poor. We put him inside in the second half and his ability to help us change the game with his attitude and desperation around the ball was really clear.”

Mutaz El Nour (19 disposals, six intercept possessions, four marks)
“I thought he played a really strong game, there was no clear match-up this week but his contest work was good. It improved in the second half as well, so it was another strong game for Mutaz.”

Sam Grlj (18 disposals, six marks, five tackles)
“Great first game, he kept up with the speed of the play, he had nice evasiveness and used his feet well.”

Lachlan Street (18 disposals, five tackles, four inside-50s)
“Started off as a midfielder and was quite slow around the ball like the rest of us. He moved to half-back in the second half and he created a bit of spark and free-flowing ball movement, which was great to see.”

Joel Garner (17 disposals, six clearances, six tackles, one goal)
“His second half was much better (than his first). He crashed in, stepped into tackles and helped us get the ball forward without overusing it.”

Austin Johnson (15 disposals, four marks, four tackles)
“He played on the wing and the way that we played probably didn’t allow for the wingers to get too involved with our play. So, we expect a big game this week down at skinny Frankston.”

Josh Gibcus (14 disposals, 10 intercept possessions, three marks)
“Played a great game on Jed Walter, I think he got the chocolates. His D50 defence, his contest work, and his aerial powers are looking great at the moment."

Jacob Blight (14 disposals, five marks, one goal)
“Played the first half as a key back and ruck. Provided good help for Reuben Hanson in the ruck. (Blight) unfortunately hurt his calf just before halftime and didn't finish off the game."

Nicholas Collier (14 disposals, seven marks, six intercept possessions)
“He had a slow first half but I thought his second half was really strong in regard to hitting bodies and creating link up play for us. He also nullified some dangerous small forwards.”

Nicholas Guiney (14 disposals, six intercept possessions, three marks)
“He had some really strong come forward presses for us which helped change the tone of how we defended.”

Tom Ferguson (14 disposals, three inside-50s, three marks)
“I thought he played really well and impacted really well as a small forward ahead of the ball. His ability to read stoppage wins and react to that ball, he was clean on the ground and shows how far having good fundamentals can go to playing a good game.” 

Tom McKenzie (13 disposals, five marks, three tackles)
“He played mainly as a midfielder, a bit of time at half back, so it was great for him to get some exposure in multiple positions which is going to be crucial for us.”

Liam George (13 disposals, three marks, two tackles)
“I think he is doing some good things around the ball, he’s stepping through tackles and driving his legs, So, I think he is building quite nicely, hopefully he progresses and takes another step forward this week.”

Mohammed Yassine (12 disposals, four marks, three goals)
“He is running around, trying to defend really strongly and it took until the fourth quarter to get a lick of the ice-cream with his goals. But it was great to see him put some scoreboard pressure on.”

Jacob Koschitzke (12 disposals, six marks, three tackles)
“Played as a key forward and ended up becoming our second ruck. Competed ahead of the ball really strongly, took down some great contested marks, competed strongly and led really well when he went into our midfield in the second half."

Sam Toner (10 disposals, four marks, two tackles)
“He played as a forward for majority of the day and he got into some really good spots. He is still learning the forward role compared to the wing role that he has been playing. An extra string to his bow is exactly what we need.”

Sam Phillips (10 disposals, three marks, 70% disposal efficiency)
“I thought he put together another strong game, there were some decisions out on the wing against a team that move the ball really quickly that were hard to defend. He’ll learn from that which is great.”

Nicholas Girolami (nine disposals, five marks, two goals)
“Another two goals, he’s hitting the scoreboard really well as a key forward and bringing the ball to ground. I thought he had hurt his knee, however he has pulled up great.”

Reuben Hanson (eight disposals, two marks, two tackles)
“He came up against a really strong ruck for the third week in a row and he’s battling so strongly and manfully for us. He didn’t win many hit-outs but his ability to follow up on the ground was pleasing.”

Massimo Raso (seven disposals, three score involvements, one goal)
“He is getting front and centre really well as a small forward, he’s putting on pressure, the ball is just not bouncing his way at the moment. So, he’s just going to keep sticking at it and the tide will turn for him if he keeps turning up which is great.”

Sean Lai (seven disposals, one mark, one tackle)
“A bit of a slower game for him, there is an opportunity to work on defensive positioning and how that will allow him to use his speed on attack.”

Joshua Pollocks (four disposals, two marks, one goal)
“A bit of a quieter day, he started pretty well and then as our ball movement dried up, his impact dried up as well. So as the medium third tall, he needs to find different ways to get involved.”