Nine Richmond Academy participants represented their TAC Cup clubs during a series of pre-season matches at Punt Road Oval last Saturday.

Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers went head-to-head in three practice games, before the first-ever Youth Girls TAC Cup match was contested at Richmond's headquarters. 

Bushrangers Rhys Damon and Hugo Ingham came up against fellow Academy participants and Pioneers Peter Clarke and Kobe Brown in the under-16 hit-out. 

Shepparton duo Ajak Dang and Kyle Clarke (Murray) took on Sunraysia pair Phillip Moi Moi and Kailen Walker (Bendigo) in the under-17 match. 

Murray Bushranger David Smith also pressed his claim for regular TAC Cup football in 2017, competing in the under-18 clash.  

Richmond's Next Generation Academy program zone includes the Goulburn Murray, Bendigo, Sunraysia, and North Central areas of Victoria - the Bushrangers and Pioneers catchments.

Photographer Cameron Grimes was on hand to capture Saturday's action.