Lachlan Street has been appointed as captain of Richmond's VFL team in 2022. 

The 23-year-old Frankston YCW product has been a part of the Tigers' VFL program for the past three seasons, featuring in Richmond VFL's 2019 premiership side. 

His appointment follows a career-best season in 2021, where he finished second in Tigers’ VFL best and fairest.

Street said it was a "tremendous honour" to be leading the Tigers this season.

"It's an absolute privilege to be bestowed with the honour of being the new skipper," he said.

"I'm really excited for the role and the year, and really excited about the boys getting out there in a week's time and hitting their strengths. 

"I tend to lead from the front. I'm very vocal, very energic and would always put my head in a pack and hope to end up with the footy."

A strong contested ball winner known for his reliable left foot kick, Street can play forward, back, through the midfield, and occasionally through the ruck. 

While acknowledging he had "big shoes to fill" following in the footsteps of former Richmond VFL captain and now-coach Steve Morris, Street is looking forward to continuing to work closely with Morris. 

"Him stepping into the coaching role is a big opportunity for him and we're really excited to see how he takes that on, the first couple of months here have been fantastic," he said.

"So, I'll be leaning on him for any advice as the rest of the guys have done for any footy knowledge and things like that, but at the end of the day, for me, he's always been a teammate and a good mate to always have a chat to, so I'm really looking forward to working with him this year."

Morris said Street was a worthy recipient for the role. 

"Lachlan has played a really important role in leading our young group throughout our preparations for 2022, he has set the bar incredibly high in regards to his standards, has put in a power of work to get himself super fit and has set himself up to be a really dominant player," Morris said.

"His leadership skills have really grown over the past couple of seasons.

"He is well respected by everyone at the club and it's great recognition for the work he has done."

After an interrupted few seasons since their 2019 premiership due to COVID-19, Street said the VFL Tigers were excited to get stuck into the upcoming season. 

"The 2019 year was a great year and then COVID hit and we've lost a few familiar faces that played crucial roles in getting the program to where it was. 2020-2021 was a bit of a wake-up call for everyone with not having access to facilities and players," Street said.

"So, this year has been a focus on getting that connection back and I think that's what this program really wants to do; drive the connection amongst everyone, amongst the VFL and AFL players, that's something we're really looking forward to improving this year.

"We look really strong. I think there are a number of players putting their hands up for that Round 1 spot. The practice matches we've played already have been really strong and everyone's showed their strengths.

The VFL Tigers kick off the 2022 season against the Southport Sharks at the Swinburne Centre on Sunday, March 27. 

Richmond's top-up players for 2022 were announced on Thursday morning, for circumstances where AFL clubs are impacted by COVID health and safety protocols. See Richmond's 2022 top-up players below: