Spirited Richmond small forward Rhyan Mansell received high praise from the Fox Footy commentary team during last night’s Community Shield practice match against Collingwood at Ikon Park.
Mansell, who finished second on the Tigers goalkicking list last season with 21 goals, produced a major Yellow and Black highlight in the second quarter, soaring above a pack to take a spectacular chest mark, which he duly successfully converted into a goal.
He finished the match with 14 disposals, three marks, one goal, four tackles, three score involvements, and was one of Richmond’s best players on the night.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon expressed considerable admiration for Mansell.
“He’s a genuine player, this fella,” Lyon said.
“(He’s a) really, really good player. His work rate is great, and his goal sense . . . I don’t know if it was a revelation (last season), but it took a little bit of time to find his way forward for the Tigers.
“But he’s just a natural. He can sniff a goal out, and if he’s capable of doing this as well . . . (I’m a) huge fan, he’s set for a big year and could be one of the premier small forwards by the time this season’s over.”
Former Geelong champion key forward Tom Hawkins was impressed with Mansell’s work-rate and intensity right throughout the contest.
“His pressure tonight, Mansell, has been elite. (It’s been) that of an All-Australian-calibre player. He has impacted on both sides of the ball, as a forward and with his defensive pressure,” Hawkins said.
