Richmond’s national recruiting manager Matthew Clarke has admitted being surprised with the rapid rate of development by talented young Tiger midfielder Tyler Sonsie in his debut season of AFL football this year.

Sonsie, who was the Tigers’ third pick (No. 28 overall) in the 2021 national draft, played the last seven games of the 2022 season at senior level and impressed with his silky, dual-sided skills and composure.

The 19-year-old averaged 17.6 disposals, 6.6 contested possessions, 2.6 marks, 2.3 clearances, 2.4 inside-50s, 2.9 intercepts, 6.7 score involvements and 275.6 metres gained per match.

“It’s a credit to Tyler, for the kid to grasp the professionalism of the game and to be able to apply that to his training and his diet,” Clarke said on the final episode for the year of the Club’s podcast Talking Tigers.

“He struck up a really good rapport with (teammate) Jack Ross, who’s a really good preparer.

“So, “Sonz” has come a long way . . . quicker than I thought. I thought it might take him a little bit longer to do that.

“The footy IQ, the ability to find the ball, no matter what position he played, he’s always had that.

“To get himself up to speed really quickly was really pleasing and it’s given us a real bonus with him, going into the pre-season.”

Clarke believes the addition of star midfield duo Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto to Richmond’s playing group will be beneficial for Sonsie’s game.

“I think because he’s a natural read ball off hands and first receive sort of midfielder, you could imagine a player like “Hops” winning some contested ball, and Tim as well,” Clarke said.

“To be able to use Sonz and Dion (Prestia) and those sorts of guys through that part of the game should be really exciting.”