Richmond’s VFL coach Tim Clarke provides an exclusive summary of the AFL-listed players who featured in last Sunday’s victory over Port Melbourne.

Matt Dea
35 disposals, 12 marks

An outstanding performance.  With 35 disposals and 12 marks – many of those coming as the result of well-read, strong interceptions from opposition kicks – he’s really pushing hard for senior selection.  He’s using the ball well, he’s defending well, and he’s doing everything that we’re asking him to do.

WATCH: Matt Dea’s Round 13 VFL highlights

Chris Knights
28 disposals, 4 clearances

Played three quarters and then came off early in the fourth due to fitness management, following his lengthy injury lay-off.  Is continuing to impress.  He’s running in really strong patterns, winning his own ball well, as well as one-on-one contests, and we’re really excited to see him playing the brand of football that he is at the moment.  He also hit the scoreboard two or three times, which is important for him.

Matt Arnot
26 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 goal

Played half-back at the start of the game and then went on-ball in the second half, where he provided us with significant drive.  His work around the ball and stoppages was excellent, and it was a big reason we were able to run over the top of Port Melbourne in the last quarter.  To go into the midfield, after not having played there for a few weeks, and impact the way he did, was fantastic. Really pleased with his last month of football.

Sam Lloyd
19 disposals, 2 goals

Continued his impressive form in the forward line.  Has been playing really well at VFL level over the past six weeks.  Always manages three or four shots for goal, and always wins critical contests.  Also is using the ball well.

Liam McBean
16 disposals, 8 marks, 5 goals

A key performer up forward.  We’ve been asking him to get more involved in critical contests and marking situations, which he was able to do.  He took four or five strong, contested marks, and hit the scoreboard as well, finishing with five goals.  They were AFL-standard goals at important times.

WATCH: highlights of Liam McBean’s five goal performance against Port Melbourne

Jason Castagna
15 disposals

Was very good coming on after half-time in his first game for several weeks following an injury lay-off.  Played half-back and through the midfield.  Won plenty of contested ball and gave us plenty of drive off half-back with his hard running.  Is a really important player for us.  Over the next few weeks, it’ll be good to see him get more game time and, hopefully, start pushing for senior selection.

Reece Conca
15 disposals

Very excited about his comeback following a lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury.  Had 15 touches in half a game, and his movement was the factor that stood out the most. We’re really looking forward to seeing what Reece can do over the next couple of weeks in his transition back to AFL level.

Conor Menadue
15 disposals

Played his best game off half-back for the year.  A really solid performance defensively, and he started to get more of the ball in the first half.  It was really good to see his connections with our other backmen start to happen, which is something he has been working on over the past few weeks.

Dave Astbury
12 disposals

Was a valuable contributor playing both back and forward.  He’s certainly proven that he can be the target we need when he’s playing in the forward line.  And, we have full faith in him when he’s needed across the backline.  We’re really excited about the form he’s is in at the moment . . . he’s yet another player just waiting for an opportunity at senior level.

Ivan Soldo
9 disposals, 15 hit-outs, 1 goal

Really solid performance in the ruck.  Continues to improve each week.  We feel that his development at VFL level should mean that he will stay in the team over the next couple of weeks, rather than go back to the under 18s.  We’re really excited about what he’s bringing.  He took a couple of very good marks and kicked a goal.  It shows he has the capacity to develop into a quality ruckman for the Club.

Matt Thomas
8 disposals, 4 tackles

Got knocked out early in the match.  Had a really good start, with eight touches in the first quarter and plenty of involvements around the contest, so it was a shame to lose the services of such a strong, valuable player so early.

WATCH: the best highlights from Richmond’s VFL comeback against Port Melbourne in the last quarter

Richmond's VFL team takes on Sandringham in Round 15, this Saturday at 1.30pm at the ME Centre, before the AFL match between Richmond and Fremantle, which kicks off at 4.35pm at the MCG.