Talented, tough, young, inside midfielder, Jack Graham, will make his senior debut with Richmond in Sunday’s match against Fremantle at Domain Stadium.
Graham, the Tigers’ second pick (No. 53 overall) in the 2016 AFL National Draft, has put together a string of impressive performances at VFL level following an injury-interrupted start to his first season at the Club.
He broke his ankle early this year and was sidelined for about three months, but since returning to the playing field midway through this season he’s had a significant impact in Richmond’s VFL side.
Get all the game day information for Sunday afternoon's match against Fremantle
The big-bodied, 19-year-old, who captained South Australia in the 2016 under-18 national championships, won the Larke Medal as best player throughout that series, and subsequently gained All-Australian selection, has showcased his ball-winning ability, hardness at the contest, composure under pressure and two-way running capacity during the past few weeks.
Richmond has made two other changes to its Round 22 line-up, with robust midfielder Jacob Townsend coming in for his first senior game this season and young, speedy, rebounding defender Oleg Markov being recalled.
Townsend’s last senior appearance with the Tigers was in Round 14, 2016 against Brisbane at the MCG.
Markov’s last game at AFL level was in Round 15 this season against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
See Fremantle's team for Sunday afternoon's Round 22 clash at Domain Stadium
Out of the Richmond side that lost to Geelong by 14 points at Simonds Stadium last Sunday go Josh Caddy, with a hamstring injury, and Corey Ellis and Ivan Soldo, who have both been omitted.
The Tigers’ three emergencies for Sunday’s clash are Ellis, Soldo and Ben Lennon.
The Round 22 Richmond Team
B: Rance, Astbury, Grimes
HB: Houli, Broad, B. Ellis
C: Prestia, Edwards, Vlastuin
HF: Cotchin, Rioli, Castagna
F: Riewoldt, Lambert, Butler
R: Nankervis, Grigg, Martin
IC: Townsend, McIntosh, Markov, Graham
Em: Lennon, C. Ellis, Soldo
In: Townsend, Markov, Graham
Out: Caddy – hamstring, C. Ellis – omitted, Soldo – omitted
New: Jack Graham, 19, 181cm, 83 kg inside midfielder from North Adelaide (SANFL). Richmond’s second pick (No. 53 overall) in the 2016 AFL National Draft.
Milestone: Dylan Grimes, 100 AFL games
