Versatility is one of the key attributes that Richmond’s fifth pick (No. 21 overall) in the 2024 national draft Luke Trainor possesses, according to his Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro coach Rob Harding.

Trainor had an extremely impressive season this year playing as a defender, but Harding believes he is capable of succeeding in a variety of on-field roles.

“He’s a rebounding, intercepting, running half-back, which we know is his strength,” Harding said.

“His national carnival stuff was excellent. His game against SA, playing on Tyler Welsh, showed that he could be a lockdown player as well.

“It’s interesting, last off-season Luke and I had a conversation about potentially training him as a midfielder.

“We decided to stay back because we felt that was the best spot for him. But I think there’s the capacity for him to be a tall wingman, to be an inside midfielder and, clearly, to be a forward, which he did in his bottom-age years . . .

“You make the player comparisons, and the James Sicily/Tom Stewart-type comparison comes up.

“With his height, he’s grown to 196 (cm) now, and he was 191 when I met him, he’s almost key-position size. But he’s such a versatile, running, rebounding player that I think he could end up being a taller, high half-back, almost in the Grant Birchall mould.

“The sky’s the limit for Luke.

“I think he’s just going to be such a damaging weapon.”