Here are 12 things you may or may not know about the latest addition to Richmond’s playing ranks, Jacob Koschitzke, who the Tigers secured in a trade with Hawthorn this week.
1. He was born on July 11, 2000.
2. He grew up in the New South Wales regional town of Albury, where Richmond’s famous Strang family came from.
3. He barracked for St Kilda because of his cousin, star Saints key forward Justin Koschitzke.
4. He was a member of Greater Western Sydney’s developmental academy until 2016, when Albury was removed from the Giants’ zone.
5. He played TAC Cup under-18s football with Murray Bushrangers.
6. He represented the Allies in the 2018 under-18 championships and was so impressive throughout that carnival, he was selected at full-back in the under-18 All-Australian team.
7. He was recruited by Hawthorn at pick 52 overall in the 2018 AFL national draft.
8. He had to wait two years to make his AFL debut because of injury issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.
9. He debuted in the opening round of the 2021 season against Essendon at Marvel Stadium.
10. He earned an AFL Rising Star nomination after kicking five goals against Adelaide in Round 6, 2021 against Adelaide at UTAS Stadium (formerly York Park), Launceston.
11. He finished with 27 goals from 20 games in his 2021 debut season of AFL football.
12. He credits Collingwood premiership coach Craig McRae, who was an assistant coach at Hawthorn in 2021, with significantly helping the development of his forward craft.
