Richmond VFL coach Steve Morris provides a summary of how the Tigers’ players performed in Sunday's Round 1 win over the Northern Bullants at the Swinburne Centre.

Lachlan Street (30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven clearances, six tackles, one goal)

"Was outstanding on the weekend. A true captain's game, he led the team for contested possessions, tackles and clearances, and it was a really complete game from him."

Jack Ross (29 disposals, 13 marks, six inside-50s, six rebound-50s, one goal)

"Looks above the level every time he plays VFL. Couldn't have asked for more from him in terms of attitude, and his game impact was extremely high, mainly from a wing, and half-back late in the game.

Garrett McDonagh (25 disposals, eight rebound-50s, five marks)

"We know Garrett has great foot skills and it's great to have him back at the footy club. I thought his contest work was slightly down on previous weeks but he certainly used the footy well for the majority of the day and he's going to be a big weapon for us this season."

Sam Banks (23 disposals, 10 marks, three inside-50s)

"He found a lot of the footy on the wing and played minimal minutes at half-back as well, which is great for his development to play in a couple of different positions. He is brilliant with the footy in hand when in space, and that was no different on the weekend."

Tyler Sonsie (21 disposals, eight contested possessions, three inside-50s)

"His game on the weekend was another solid step towards full fitness for him. He did miss a bit of pre-season and he's starting to get his touch back and fitness back. Hopefully, it won't be long until we see him out playing with the AFL side."

Thomson Dow (17 disposals, six clearances, three marks)

"Was really solid for us on the weekend in and around stoppage. We'd really like to see him improve his game around the ground, but his clearance work and contest work for us is always of high value and high importance."

Bigoa Nyuon (17 disposals, 30 hit-outs, six marks, three clearances)

"Was outstanding on the weekend. He had a game-high 30 hit-outs and he was a real presence in and around the footy with second efforts, but also towering over his opposition in the air. Hopefully, that was a breakout game for him in 2023 and sets the standard at a very high level for him this season."

Judson Clarke (16 disposals, five inside-50s, four marks)

"Looked really good on the day. His finishing skills probably didn't match what we know he's capable of, but he certainly got into really good positions and was open a lot more than we were actually able to use him. So, I'm certain if he runs those patterns in future weeks he's going to get some rewards on the scoreboard as well."

Austin Johnson (14 disposals, five marks, four inside-50s)

"A really dependable player for us in the VFL who knows his role inside and out. He's really tough over the footy and that was no different on the weekend, I thought he played his role really well."

Hugo Ralphsmith (13 disposals, three marks, two rebound-50s)

"Hugo started the game at half-back and went to a wing, and I thought he had a really solid first half despite being heavily tagged. He finished the game playing as a high half-forward in a bid to expose him to a couple of different roles that we may need replaced at AFL level in the not-to-distant-future, and I thought his application was really good."

Angus Hicks (13 disposals, six marks, three rebound-50s, one goal)

"He's a really beautiful kick of the footy and he's a really smart player who knows our system, having been for a few years now. He kicked a beautiful crumbing goal in the second half on the weekend and he's going to be very value for us moving forward."

James Trezise (13 disposals, five tackles, four marks, four rebound-50s)

"Debuted for the footy club and at VFL level, and he certainly looked right at home. Love the way he plays, he had five tackles on the day and he's really tough at the contest and the man. He made a couple of uncharacteristic errors by foot, but I was really happy with the way he started and he's made a very big impression in his early days at the footy club."

Fraser Elliot (12 disposals, four marks, three rebound-50s)

"Very different role for Fraser. He's used to be being in the midfield and in and around the thick of the contest, but we put him down back to develop both his fitness and his game in a couple of different areas and I thought he was solid. It's good that we're continuing to add another string to his bow."

Tom Brindley (11 disposals, five marks)

"Was asked to play quite a different role for us. He'd been doing a huge job in the ruck in the practice matches, and we probably didn't need that from him on the weekend. But, we did need a key back and he went back and I thought his game was reasonably good. He improved as the game went on and he's going to be an important player for us moving forward."

Harrison White (11 disposals, four marks, four inside-50s, one goal)

"Hasn't played much midfield minutes for us, but he did in his debut. I thought he looked lively in and around goal, he provided good work-rate for us. He kicked his first goal in Tigers colours with a great finish as well."

Kaelan Bradtke (10 disposals, six marks, five goals)

"He really stood out in the first half, kicking five first-half goals. He's a work in progress, but he's extremely talented. He'll continue to develop his understanding of our structures and the style of footy that's required to play at the elite level, but it was a really pleasing start from him."

Noah Cumberland (10 disposals, five tackles, two marks)

"Had a bit of an indifferent game. I thought offensively, he didn't have the impact that we would expect of him, and at times, his defence was inconsistent. But, highlighted by his five tackles, I thought he really did step in at times, and the opposition certainly felt him when he was in and around contests at times."

Mutaz El Nour (10 disposals, five marks, four tackles)

"Was really solid in his debut game against his former club. He's had an outstanding pre-season and we're looking forward to exploring a few different roles with him. But, I thought he made a really good start in defence and he's going to be a mainstay in the Richmond colours if he continues the form that he's shown over the last month."

Jacob Bauer (eight disposals, six marks, three inside-50s, three goals)

'Was on managed minutes having missed a good portion of the last four to six weeks. I thought there were times where he tried to mark when he probably could have brought it to ground as a key forward, but overall, I thought his return game was a really good one. He hit the scoreboard heavily with three goals and probably could have had a couple more as well. So, I'm looking forward to that being a stepping stone into the coming weeks."

Ben Miller (seven disposals, 17 hit-outs, two marks, two goals)

"He's the ultimate utility/swingman and that was no different on the weekend. He played mainly as a key forward, but it was in the ruck that he really showed his authority. I'd like to see him have more of an impact when playing forward, but I thought he did play his role pretty well and also hit the scoreboard with two goals."

Beau Tedcastle (seven disposals, two marks, two tackles, one goal)

"Debuted for the footy club as a highly talent youngster who we have high hopes for. He kicked one goal and passed one off that he probably should have kicked as well. But, I did like his intent in trying to bring his teammates into the game. We're looking for him to invest in the defensive side of his game a little bit more."

Misilifi Faimalo (six disposals, three tackles, two marks) 

"You know what you're going to get with him, he's a fantastic person to have around our footy club and he makes everyone better. The intensity he brings to our forward line on defence is incredible, and it was great to see him bring his teammates into the game early on and pass one off for Beau Tedcastle's first goal."

Lachlan Johnson (four disposals, one goal)

"He had a fantastic pre-season in the practice matches. We managed his minutes a little bit because we'd like him to increase his fitness so that he can have more of an impact on games. Unfortunately, he copped a head knock later in the game and will be out with concussion protocols this week."