Two Richmond players will make their AFL debuts against Sydney at the MCG on Thursday night.
The Tigers will blood cubs Jacob Bauer and Sam Banks in the Round 17 clash with the Swans.
Bauer was the hero for Richmond’s VFL team for the second time in a month last Friday, kicking the match-winning goal after the siren.
After dominating in defence for the majority of the match, Bauer was moved forward in the final quarter. From there, he kicked three final-term goals from the 18-minute mark onwards to secure the Tigers' win.
The swingman was best on ground, collecting 21 disposals, 11 marks and a game-high three goals.
Bauer, a former Sydney Swans Academy player arrived at Tigerland in the 2022 Mid-Season Rookie Draft via SANFL club North Adelaide, taken with pick 10.
The talented 21-year-old booted 16 goals in nine VFL matches last year and has impressed at both ends of the ground this year with his strong aerial ability.
Wingman Banks was drafted in 2021 from Clarence with pick No. 29 and has shown steady development since his arrival at the Club.
The 20-year-old has been knocking on the door for his opportunity, having been named as an emergency on numerous occasions throughout 2022 and 2023.
Banks, who also plays off half-back, has averaged 19 disposals, five marks and three tackles per game in the VFL this season, his two-way running a key feature of his game.
