Richmond’s VFL coach Tim Clarke provides an exclusive summary of the AFL-listed players who featured in last Saturday night’s match against Casey.

Jason Castagna
25 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five marks

Had another very good game at half-back. Provided us with plenty of productive run and carry. Is maintaining a bold playing style, which is exciting for the Club going forward. 

VFL Round 6: Castagna highlights

Matt Dea
21 disposals, 10 contested possessions

Was again really solid in the back six.  His experience, and help in setting up our defensive unit, has been particularly valuable over the past four weeks with our younger playing group.  Continues to win the football and continues to push hard for senior selection.

Ben Lennon
19 disposals, one goal

Was fairly solid throughout, but it was a night that could have been a lot better for him, if he’d held four or five marks he got his hands to.  Needs to continue with his intensity around the ball.  That’s his biggest focus at the moment, to give himself every chance of regaining a place in the senior side over the next few weeks.

Matt McDonough
18 disposals, five tackles

Couldn’t back up his stellar performance from the previous round.  Was okay on the night, with a lot of work inside, including three or four clearances and five tackles.  Overall, however, we expect more from him.

Matt Thomas
17 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances

His intensity and attitude was first class.  He really set the scene for us early, along with Jarryd Cachia, on how to win the football.  Unfortunately, though, he couldn’t get enough of the ball to generate offensive change for us, finishing with only 17 touches. Is usually more of a ball magnet than that, and we expect a better all-round performance from him.

Nathan Gordon
14 disposals, two goals

A competent performance.  Kicked two goals, but probably should have finished with four or five.  Needs to fix a couple of areas of his game, in order to play consistent football at both VFL and AFL levels.  We’re going to be working hard with him over the next few weeks.

Shaun Hampson
12 disposals, 47 hit-outs

Again was very good with his ruckwork, but thought he was beaten overall by his opponent Max Gawn around the ground.  Just expect him to give us more of a contest down the line. We need him to slip forward to have some shots for goal, as he has done in previous weeks. Good ruckwork, just needs to impact more around the ground.

Liam McBean
11 disposals, one goal

After returning from his senior league debut the previous week, we expected him to play above the VFL level.  Unfortunately, though, he got a knock early, which restricted his ability to mark the ball. We want our key forwards to mark the ball, and he ended up with only one grab. Had three shots for goal, but we needed a forward who could mark, stand up, and hold the ball inside our forward 50. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do that.

Jayden Short
10 disposals, two goals

Was fairly good in his half-forward role.  Had four or five shots for goal, successfully converting two of them. We expect him to tackle and apply more pressure inside 50, however.  That’s something we have been working on with him. To hit the scoreboard four times, and to provide energy inside our forward 50 area, is what we expect.

Todd Elton
Eight disposals, five contested possessions

Played on one of the opposition’s key forwards.  Probably didn’t have as many contests as he usually does, where he really asserts himself on the game, but still managed to impact where we needed him to.  Still working on his composure in the defensive 50, which we need him to get right if he’s to have an influence at AFL level.

David Astbury
Seven disposals

Is still learning the forward role at the moment.  Got to some contests, but we expect him to get to more, if he’s going to have a major impact. We’ll be looking to train this during the week and, hopefully, see an improvement from him in this area on the weekend.

Reece Conca
Six disposals, five tackles, three clearances

Injured his hamstring in the second quarter. Started the game really well, with his tackle pressure clearly of AFL standard. But, unfortunately, will now miss up to to six weeks.

Reece McKenzie
Four disposals, three marks

Played only half a game.  Showed good signs during his limited one-field time, with three strong marks and one shot for goal. Hopefully, we can get some strong training into him this week, so he can play a full game.