Sam Banks is establishing himself as a valuable member of the Richmond line-up.
The 22-year-old, hard-running wingman/half-back, taken by the Tigers with their fourth pick (No. 29 overall) in the 2021 AFL national draft, has been something of a slow burn at Punt Road.
He spent the entire 2022 season at VFL level before making six senior appearances in 2023.
Last year, Banks played 15 games and picked up an AFL career-high 25 disposals in the Round 22 clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, which was the first time he had topped the 20-disposal mark in the competition.
This season, Banks has collected 20 disposals or more three times in the five games he’s played.
He made it back-to-back 20 disposals in Richmond’s Round 6 win against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium. The previous round, he had 21 disposals in the clash with Fremantle at Barossa Park.
Banks is averaging 16.8 disposals and 265.6 metres gained per match this season.
Not only is he finding more of the ball, and using it efficiently, he’s improved the defensive side of his game, which is an important step for him at the game’s highest level.
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