Five Tigers will this year lead Richmond's VFL side, spearheaded by recently-appointed captain Lachlan Street. 

The 2022 VFL leadership group has now been finalised, with Angus Hicks, Bailey Henderson, Brad Melville and Nathan Oakes joining Street at the helm. 

Richmond VFL coach Steve Morris said he held great confidence in the group, with all five typifying the Club's values. 

"They all bring their own strengths to the group," Morris said.

"I'm really confident that the four players who have been introduced to the leadership group under Lachie will support him really well."

Twenty-three-year-old Hicks, who has been a part of the program since 2018, is the ultimate story of persistence. After facing two years on the sidelines following a broken leg, he returned to the Tigers' line-up in 2021 and played all but one of Richmond's matches. 

"''Hicksy' made the move up to Melbourne after playing at the Murray Bushrangers and has worked his way through a lot of adversity," Morris said.

"He's bounced back to play some sensational football.

"He's an outstanding leader and a wonderful club person."

Henderson, also 23 and also a VFL Tiger since 2018, established himself as a leader within the side last season.

"The thing that stands out for Bailey has been his improvement as a leader over the last 12 months," Morris said.

"With our young group being void of a fair bit of experience, it's been important that we have players that step up, and he's certainly done that."

Strong runner Melville, 24, joined the program in 2020 before suffering a season-ending ACL early in 2021. Despite the lengthy stint on the sidelines, he has maintained an off-field presence and remained an important figurehead among the group.

"It's an incredible achievement to be voted in as a leader of this group given the fact he's been out for 12 months with his ACL injury," Morris said.

"It's a real testament to the person he is and the teammate that he is. We're looking forward to seeing him become available towards the back half of the season."

Rounding out the 2022 leadership group is Oakes, who has been at Tigerland since 2019 and has been a strong driver of culture within the group.

"'Oaksey' is hard, tough and his training standards are second to none," Morris said.

"He's a great leader of our program and has a really important impact both on and off the field with the connection of our group."

The VFL Tigers kick off the 2022 season this Sunday against the Southport Sharks at the Swinburne Centre from 11.35am, ahead of Richmond's Round 2 AFL clash against GWS at the MCG from 3.10pm. 

An extended squad of 31 has been named for the Round 1 VFL game, with the starting 22 to be confirmed following Richmond's AFL team announcement at 5.00pm on Friday. 

AFL-listed Tigers Jake Aarts, Ivan Soldo, Maurice Rioli Jnr, Rhyan Mansell, Thomson Dow, Hugo Ralphsmith and Matt Parker all feature in the VFL squad, but were also named in Thursday night's AFL squad. 

Four Richmond 2021 draftees in Tyler Sonsie, Judson Clarke, Sam Banks and Tom Brown have also been included in the VFL squad, for what would be their first official outings in the Yellow and Black. 

Five VFL-listed Tigers are in line to make their debuts; Misilifi Faimalo, Mykelti Lefau, Tylar Young, Jackson Davies and Massimo D’ambrosio.

To follow match updates from the Swinburne Centre, stay tuned to @RichmondVFL on Twitter.

Fans can also watch every game of the 2022 Smithy's VFL season LIVE on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

Richmond VFL's Round 1 squad v Southport Sharks, Sunday, May 27, 11.35am AEST, Swinburne Centre
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