Off the back of a challenging 2024 campaign, Tim Taranto has embraced the opportunity to train alongside Richmond’s exciting crop of first-round draft picks in the pre-season.

Speaking to Richmond Media, Taranto said “it’s been a different vibe.”

“There’s a lot of young fresh faces and a lot of new midfielders, which is exciting for me.”

The 26-year-old has welcomed the chance to mentor the Club’s emerging talent throughout the pre-season.

“I get to share my knowledge and my experience now, which I'm really enjoying,” he said.

“I get to work with (Josh) Smillie, (Sam) Lalor and Taj (Hotton) when he's back in training, so it's been exciting.

“It's been different, a lot of new energy, which is good…I think the older boys have definitely liked that, so it's been a fun start so far.”

Looking towards 2025 as an opportunity to enhance his leadership, Taranto said he’s given the young players space to learn and grow.

“Just letting them figure it out for themselves a little bit, but also just being that sounding board,” Taranto said.

“I just think back to my time when I was 18 to 20-years-old and how much of an impact the older boys had for me, so it's my turn now to repay the favour to them, but also challenge and push them to be the best players they can be.

“(My role as a leader) is probably going to be similar.”

“I'll obviously play a bit of midfield and show the young boys how to do it, and then try and take my leadership and keep growing that part of my game because I'm really enjoying that.

“It's definitely what I'm enjoying at the moment, finding that balance between being the best player I can be, but also, making the team better as well.”