The VFL competition returns to an 18-game home and away season in 2022, with the new fixture to start on the weekend of March 26-27 and feature 22 rounds, with all 21 clubs receiving four byes each.
Richmond's VFL side resumed training at Punt Road Oval last week ahead of the Christmas break, and have named the following players to the 2022 squad. The VFL list will be finalised in March as part of the final list lodgment.
Steve Morris (coach)
31/12/1988, 183cm, 82kg
Richmond 2019 VFL premiership captain that has this year taken on playing senior coach duties.
The experienced defender who can match up on any opponent managed 87 games for Richmond (AFL) in a six-year stint that began following a best and fairest at West Adelaide (SANFL).
Angus Hicks
28/7/1999, 174cm, 75kg
A great story of perseverance. Hicks played nine VFL matches for Richmond in 2021 after two years on the sidelines following a badly broken leg. Hicks has elite foot skills and agility and showed what he is capable of with a 23-disposal and two-goal game against Sandringam last season.
Brad Melville
1/10/1998, 182cm, 75kg
Strong two-way runner with excellent goal sense. Premiership player for Wangaratta Magpies in the Ovens and Murray League. Melville played eight matches for Richmond at VFL level in 2021 before his season ended early with an ACL injury.
Lachlan Street
25/06/1998, 189cm, 93kg
2019 VFL premiership player, Street is a strong contested ball winner with a reliable left foot kick. Can play forward, back or through the midfield and at times last season even as a makeshift ruckman. Street had a career-best season in 2021, finishing second in Tigers’ VFL best and fairest.
Riley Loton
13/05/1999, 175cm, 77kg
Small forward/midfielder with a neat left foot. Loton who won the 2019 Northern Football League Division 2 Best and Fairest, managed two senior games for the VFL Tigers last season.
The youngster will be looking for more opportunities at the level in 2022.
Nathan Oakes
27/08/1999, 186cm, 80kg
Ex-Murray Bushranger into his fourth year on the Richmond VFL list. Inside midfielder and a strong leader. Oakes played five matches in 2021, averaging 10 disposals.
Cam Olden
19/04/2000, 179cm, 78kg
Member of Leongatha’s 2019 Grand Final team. A ball-winning midfielder that has enjoyed the step up to VFL football last season. Olden managed three games at the level, booting seven goals.
Dylan Cook
22/05/2001, 180cm, 80kg
Midfielder that can play inside and outside the contest. Exceptional hands and another that has moved to the VFL from the Goulburn Valley. Cook averaged 8.5 disposals from six games in 2021, booting two goals.
Joel Nathan
12/10/2000, 191cm, 85kg
Strong key back with a ferocious appetite for the contest. Nathan showed an ability to compete against opponents of any size throughout his 10 games at VFL level last season.
Bailey Henderson
20/10/1999, 189cm, 84kg
NTFL premiership player with Nightcliffe in 2021, Henderson is a strong intercept player that can be used across the wing and half-back. Henderson was terrific across seven matches last season, averaging 17 disposals.
Matt Bartlett
27/9/1998, 175cm, 73kg
A late addition to the program in 2021, Bartlett is a small forward who has a smart football brain and applies great defensive pressure. The youngster managed five goals from five matches in 2021
Tylar Young
5/9/1998, 196cm, 92kg, key defender
Young is a 23-year-old former soccer player that has only taken up the game in the past few years.
The key defender played VFL football for Frankston last season, where he showed his flexibility to go forward or play in the ruck.
Young’s athleticism, competitiveness and speed make him able to play on both small and taller forwards.
Jackson Davies
19/3/2001, 188cm, 80kg, intercepting defender
Davies is a former Northern Knights NAB League captain that has crossed to Richmond from Coburg this year.
The intercepting defender has excellent football IQ and is able to play above his height and weight range.
Tom Bracher
18/2/2002, 177cm, 66kg, rebounding defender
Bracher is an excellent accumulator of the football with silky skills both sides of the body. The former Murray Bushranger also played senior football for Wodonga Raiders in the strong Ovens and Murray league last year.
Bracher while small in stature, will be one to watch in 2022 and beyond. Exciting back flanker.
Misilifi Faimalo
22 years old, utility
Samoan born, New Zealand raised with a rugby background, Faimalo only started playing football in recent years, but has taken to the game well. Faimalo represented AFL New Zealand against the AFL U17 Academy.
With excellent speed and agility and a willingness to take the game on, Faimalo can provide plenty of excitement should opportunities arise at VFL level.
Jess McGrath
25/1/2002, 185cm, 75kg, intercepting defender
Athletic defender that can play above his size. McGrath made his VFL debut for Richmond in 2021 and will be looking for more opportunities this season.
The former Gippsland Power NAB League player, who also has good speed, has joined the Tigers’ program full-time in 2022.
Nick Guiney
18/1/2002, 187cm, 93kg, rebounding defender
Versatile defender Guiney joins Richmond after an injury affected season with the Oakleigh Chargers in 2021. The competitive youngster has excellent endurance and is strong in the contest.
Massimo D’ambrosio
5/6/2003, 177cm, 75kg, defender/midfielder
Talented youngster from the Western Jets. D’ambrosio played solid football at NAB League level last year and was rewarded with a Vic trial game for his efforts.
D’ambrosio is smart, an excellent ball user by foot and has the flexibility to play multiple positions. The 18-year-old will train with Richmond while playing as a 19-year-old for the Jets again in 2022.
Mykelti Lefau
18/1/1998, 195cm, 96kg, utility
New Zealand born with a rugby background, Lefau spent time on Casey’s VFL list before returning to local football once the pandemic hit. An impressive athlete that can play all over the ground and has reignited hunger to push himself at the higher level.
Patrik Balta
15/3/1999, 204cm, 110kg, ruck
Balta, the cousin of Richmond AFL player, Noah, is a project ruckman that has recently converted from soccer. The Airport West product has good agility for his size and is clean with his hands.
Fraser Elliot
5/7/2002, 188cm, 89kg, inside mid
Elliot, an Oakleigh Chargers graduate will shore up the VFL Tigers’ midfield stocks in 2022, having committed to the program full time.
The midfielder is creative by hand and foot and composed in the contest. Elliot did not look out of place in his two games last year.
Jackson Bowne
31/12/2002, 174cm, 75kg, small forward/midfielder
Bowne is a dangerous forward with excellent football IQ and the capacity to also impact in the midfield. The 19-year-old should benefit greatly from being involved in an AFL aligned program and has the tools to become an excellent small forward.
Lachlan Carrigan
9/12/2002, 191cm, 78kg, wing
Highly talented outside midfielder with excellent speed and endurance. Carrigan has had a rough time with injuries in recent years and will be hoping for continuity in 2022.
Tom Brindley
8/12/1998, 195cm, 83kg, midfielder/forward
Exciting prospect with impressive athleticism for his height and massive upside in an elite program. Brindley can play a variety of positions due to his ability to run, jump and provide a target down the line.
Austin Johnson
26/12/2001, 182cm, 78kg, midfielder/forward
Johnson, 20, found himself playing such impressive football for local club Cheltenham in 2021 that he was added to Frankston’s VFL development list mid-year. The athletic midfielder/forward will be hoping to add to the one game he played for the Dolphins last year at the VFL Tigers in 2022.
Lachlan Johnson
7/8/2001, 175cm, 78kg, forward
Johnson spent the past two seasons on Essendon’s AFL list, rupturing his ACL in his first year and being denied consistent football due to the pandemic in his second.
The dangerous forward will be hungry to showcase his talent in 2022 and stake his claims for a return to the elite level.
Johnson has the potential to be an excellent pick up for the VFL Tigers.
Will Bravo
6/5/2002, 175cm, 78kg, forward/midfielder
Bravo put together a solid season for the Dandenong Stingrays at NAB League level last season, also representing Victoria Country and being a contender for the AFL Draft. Tough, explosive and with a strong appetite for the contest, Bravo will fit in well at Richmond.
Jack Scanlon
31/5/1999, 194cm, 87kg, key forward
Scanlon is set for his first pre-season at VFL level this year, which is an exciting prospect for those within the Richmond program. Tall, agile and with excellent aerial power- Scanlon can be a handful for opposition defenders.
The Gisborne-product will be one to watch this year given his upside.
Sam Tucker
7/1/2002, 195cm, 89kg, key forward/defender
Tucker is an athletic tall with a long penetrating kick.. The teenager competed admirably and hit the scoreboard in VFL practice games early in 2021 and promises to be a threatening player at the senior level.
Tucker can play both ends of the ground and has strong hands.
John Jorgenson
29/11/1999, 198cm, 94kg, key forward
A developing key forward from Bundoora with impressive athleticism for his size, John is relatively new to the game having come from a basketball background but played consistent and exciting senior football at local level in 2021. Expect him to come on in leaps and bounds with a VFL pre-season under his belt.
Jesse King
14/07/2000, 189cm, 80kg, forward
Another product of Bundoora with experience at senior level, Jesse started training with the VFL Tigers halfway through this year and is continuing on for the 2022 season. Jesse is a dangerous forward of great character and an excellent work ethic.
Harrison Bourke
23/03/2003, 200cm, 80kg, ruck/key forward
Grandson of the great Francis Bourke and son of David, Harrison is a young, raw ruck/key forward. Hungry to improve and learn, Harry can only benefit from a VFL pre-season as he develops his craft.
Jack Sexton
7/11/2001, 178cm, 75kg
Jack joins us from Yarrawonga in the Ovens and Murray Football League.
He is a dangerous forward who is a great competitor with terrific endurance.
Jack was a late addition to the list in 2021 and unfortunately missed his opportunity to make his debut due to Covid. He will be hungry to take his opportunity next season.
Ali Saad & Mohammed Yassine
15/6/2003, 172cm, 62kg & 29/08/2003, 177cm, 61kg, dangerous forwards
Two exciting prospects out of the Bachar Houli Foundation that are training with the VFL Tigers for 2022. Ali and Mohammed are lightly framed but have speed to burn and plenty of upside and growth in their first pre-season at VFL level.
