Mabior Chol drew strong praise from Richmond captain Trent Cotchin following his impressive display in a forward/ruck role for the Tigers against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium last Sunday.
Chol, playing just his third AFL game (and only second since 2016), had 16 disposals, with four inside-50s, took nine marks and kicked three goals in Richmond’s 33-point win.
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“The thing with ‘Marbs’ is that as long as he’s engaged and showing up, he’ll give himself every opportunity,” Cotchin told K rock Football.
“He’s got an amazing athletic ability, he can take a ‘clunk’, but I think what I loved most was when he chase-down tackled, then had the composure to go back and slot it through (for a goal).
“His ruckwork’s really improved as well.
“He’s got the spring to get his hand on the ball. That’s very hard to stop for opposition ruckmen.
“But he also snuck forward a couple of times out of the centre bounce and got involved that way.
“So his reading of the game is obviously improving every week . . .
“It’s a credit to him the way he’s continually adjusting and working on his game.”
Chol is keen to build on the top-class performance that he produced in last Sunday’s clash with the Saints.
“After the game, I’ve definitely set a standard for myself,” he told ABC AFL Grandstand.
“I’ve just got to keep working from here. I can’t look back at anything now.
“It’s been a long journey for me, especially not playing AFL footy for about three years.
“I’m just stoked to be playing at AFL level now.”
