Richmond has bolstered its tall stocks with the acquisition of Jacob Blight (pick 2) and Campbell Gray (16) at tonight’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Blight, 22, has averaged 18.4 disposals, 8.7 marks, 3.3 intercept marks, and 4.6 spoils per game this season, playing as a key defender for WAFL club Peel Thunder.

The 196cm defender stood out to Richmond recruiters with his professionalism, consistency, strong defensive game, and aerial ability.

Gray, a 195cm utility from Essendon VFL, arrives at Richmond in strong form, having booted multiple goals in four consecutive games since being swung into the forward line from defence.

The 20-year-old also pinch hit in the ruck during the weekend’s Dreamtime curtain raiser against the Tigers’ VFL team, showing his versatility.

The likable and hardworking character is currently a fourth-year apprentice electrician. He stood out to the Club’s recruiters with his aerial ability, follow-up work, and intent at ground level.

Richmond National Recruiting Manager Chris Toce said the Club had put a lot of work into both players and was “really happy” with the outcome.

“Jacob is someone we have watched for a number of years, and Campbell surfaced at the beginning of the year and really caught our eye,” he explained.

“Our mindset is that we are picking players to help us in the long term, and we believe in both lads and are really hopeful that they can play a part in the long term.”

Toce described key defender Blight as a great story of persistence.

“Jacob has progressed and improved a lot, especially over the last two years- which is a credit to him.

“He presents like a pro, is a big strong lad, has terrific endurance and strength and physically could play AFL pretty soon… (but) there is no pressure on him do that.

“We just want him to come in and play some good VFL football, to begin with, and if his form dictates that he could progress to AFL level, that would be fantastic.”

Toce described the Club’s other mid-season recruit, Gray, as a player with significant upside.

“He has come out of nowhere really, (because) he was playing at Keilor (Essendon and District Football League) the last couple of years and has never been in the talent pathways before,” Toce said.

“His highs are really high, and he has a great attitude to improve. We love the flexibility that he gives us with his ability to play forward and back.”

Richmond passed with the 20th pick in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft.