Richmond youngsters Maurice Rioli Junior, Josh Gibcus and Jack Ross, have committed to Richmond in a welcome boost on the eve of the Club's finals campaign.
The trio have each put pen to paper on two-year extensions tying Rioli Jnr and Ross to the Club until the end of the 2024 season and Gibcus until the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Gibcus was recruited to Richmond with the Club’s first selection at last year’s NAB AFL Draft (No. 9 overall) before earning his AFL debut in Round 1 this season.
The 19-year-old key defender has played 17 senior games, impressing with his athleticism, marking and long accurate kicking.
Gibcus has also booted three goals from limited time in the forward half, including in crucial moments in consecutive weeks against Sydney and Port Adelaide mid-year.
Richmond General Manager- Football Talent Blair Hartley said that the highly talented Gibcus was important to the Club’s future.
“Josh has had an exceptional debut season of AFL football and is continuing to learn and improve his craft,” he said.
“To play so much senior football in his first season is a great achievement for Josh as a young key position player and is a credit to the hard work he has put in since first arriving at the Club.”
Ross, who received five coaches votes for his 21 disposals, 14 score involvements game on the weekend, will enter a fifth and sixth season at Punt Road as part of the contract extension.
The big-bodied midfielder has displayed a consistent ball-winning ability across 43 senior matches for the Club, both as an inside midfielder and on the wing.
Ross has featured in the senior team on 14 occasions in 2022, averaging career highs in disposals (17.4), marks (4.3), and inside 50s (3.1).
“Jack has shown across four years at the Club that he has the skillset and work rate to succeed at AFL level,” Hartley said.
“It has been great to see Jack contributing to a high standard this season and this contract is a reward for his efforts on and off the field.”
Drafted to Richmond as a father-son selection with pick No. 51 overall at the 2020 AFL National Draft, Rioli Jnr’s two-year extension will further cement his strong affiliation with the Club.
The 19-year-old has booted 15 majors from his first 16 AFL games and is the #1 player in the AFL this season for causing scores from turnovers.
Rioli Jnr also ranks #1 at Richmond for tackles per game inside 50, #6 for goals and #8 for goal assists.
“Maurice has been terrific since coming into our program late in 2020, impressing everyone with how he goes about his football,” Hartley said.
“He is a great teammate that helps us to play the Richmond way and this contract extension is reward for his hard work behind the scenes.”
Hartley added that the trio were important acquisitions for the Club’s future.
“These contract extensions show our confidence in Josh, Jack and Maurice and our excitement for what they can achieve across the coming years as part of our football program.
“We are thrilled to have them commit to the Club.”
