Talented, young Richmond forward-ruckman Samson Ryan has become an unusual member of the exclusive club of players to score a goal with their first kick in AFL football.
Ryan returned to the Tigers’ senior side for last Saturday’s clash with Adelaide at Adelaide Oval after going without a disposal on debut against St Kilda in Round 15, 2021.
He steered through a goal with his first kick, following a good lead out from full-forward to mark the ball, and finished with two more in Richmond’s 32-point victory over the Crows.
The full list of Richmond players to goal with their first kick in AFL/VFL football is:
• Tommy Hafey, Round 6, 1953 v Collingwood, Victoria Park.
• Ray Allsopp, Round 7, 1955 v St Kilda, Punt Road.
• Edo Bennetti, Round 8, 1961 v Carlton, Princes Park.
• Vin Crowe, Round 17, 1964 v Geelong, Punt Road.
• David Miller, Round 4, 1977 v Collingwood, MCG.
• Dale Weightman, Round 1, 1978 v Carlton, MCG.
• Matthew Wall, Round 1, 1980 v Hawthorn, MCG.
• Richard Lounder, Round 5, 1989 v North Melbourne, MCG.
• Nathan Bower, Round 24, 1991 v Carlton, MCG.
• Ben Moore, Round 11, 1996 v St Kilda, MCG.
• Aaron Fiora, Round 7, 2000 v Carlton, MCG.
• Trent Cotchin, Round 8, 2008 v Geelong, MCG.
• Sam Lloyd, Round 4, 2014 v Collingwood, MCG.
• Ben Lennon, Round 9, 2014 v Melbourne, MCG.
• Jayden Short, Round 2, 2016 v Collingwood, MCG.
• Jack Higgins, Round 3, 2018 v Hawthorn, MCG.
• Noah Balta, Round 1, 2019 v Carlton, MCG.
• Judson Clarke, Round 13, 2022 v Port Adelaide, MCG.
• Samson Ryan, Round 2, 2023 v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval.
