“We’re a youthful side; there’s a difference between being young and being youthful,” Richmond coach, Craig McRae said.
The 2019 version of Richmond VFL has an enviable blend of youth and experience, backed by an ever-evolving creed of connection.
The Tiger cubs in Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jack Ross, Fraser Turner and Luke English have comfort in the knowledge that they will be embraced and guided by their more experienced teammates.
Richmond welcomed arch-rival the Northern Blues to the Swinburne Centre on Thursday afternoon, with the Tigers and Blues putting on a fierce practice match, with the hosts prevailing, 13.15 (93) to 7.12 (54).
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The Tiger fans that attended the undercard to the main event would have been ecstatic to see premiership favourite, Jason Castagna grace the field for the first time this summer.
Castagna showed no ill affects of the ankle injury which hindered his off-season and displayed all of his hallmark traits.
The chasing, the tackling, the pressure and a trademark rove, snap and goal.
It was Richmond’s first of the evening, drawing a raucous applause from the swelling crowd of Tiger faithful, and love from his mobbing teammates.
Castagna joined premiership teammates, Brandon Ellis and Jacob Townsend, with the trio adding a load of class and experience, aiding in guiding the next wave of Tigers.
Richmond started in blitzing fashion, with their fierce pressure and water-tight system on-song from the opening bounce.
Jack Ross showed why he was favoured for senior selection in the JLT Series, leading the way with his ferocity, cleanliness, class and concentration.
Richmond used its second selection (No. 43 overall) in the 2018 national draft on Ross, which on the surface, could turn out to be a very wise investment.
Ross was prolific, with his sturdiness over the ball and cool head in traffic proving invaluable in the fast-paced opening half.
Townsend warmed into the game, providing a benchmark for his fellow teammates with his relentless ferocity at the man and the ball.
The 25-year-old uses his body like a battering ram and brought a collective groan from the crowd after drilling an unsuspecting Northern Blue into Punt Rd Oval.
In the first half, it was a case of if Townsend didn’t get you, Ross will, which would have warmed the hearts of the Tiger Army.
The Tigers’ cashed in on their incessant pressure, kicking six goals to one, taking a 29-point lead into quarter time.
Things evened up in the second quarter, with the Northern Blues bringing the heat, slotting through three goals to one and cutting the half-time margin to 13 points.
The Tigers' only goal for the quarter came courtesy of some gut-running from Tom Silvestro, and customary grunt and class from Jake Aarts inside 50.
The Tiger faithful that flocked to the Swinburne Centre would have enjoyed how the third term kicked off, with Liam Baker running amok.
Baker is clean below his knees, quick of mind and is ice-cold in traffic.
He charged off half-back, cutting a swathe through the Blues’ defenders and drove the ball to Callum Moore at half-forward, who showed a clean pair of heels to find Mabior Chol free inside 50.
Chol strolled in for the Tigers' first of the second half.
Richmond kicked back-to-back goals as a result of two protected area 50-metre penalties, with Jacob Ballard and Aarts the happy recipients.
The Tigers steadied the ship in the third term and extended their lead to 32 points at the last change.
The highlight of the quarter however, came via Patrick Naish, who unflinchingly flew back with the flight of the ball and marked strongly at half-back, thwarting a Blues’ attacking chain.
Collier-Dawkins put in a strong showing in the final term, having a hand in the first goal of the quarter.
The 19-year-old ripped the ball from congestion, shrugged off a Blues’ tackler and blasted the ball deep inside 50, where Chol soared over the pack to pluck a genuine hanger.
Chol went back and slotted the goal, showing growing maturity and leadership.
The budding Tiger big man finished the game with two majors and was ever a threat be it in the air or at ground level.
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Connor Menadue, Sydney Stack and Derek Eggmolesse-Smith were again prominent, providing spring and drive off half-back.
Shai Bolton warmed into his new midfield role and provides a point-of-difference around the stoppages.
Bolton’s cat-like reflexes allow him to get out of situations most can’t and will develop his on-ball craft as the season wears on.
Moore was another to put in a strong showing, as he constantly presented and flew for the ball, offering a strong target, be it deep forward or roaming further up the field.
Moore finished with a game-high three majors, including two in the final term and looks primed to build on his strong form from last year.
RICHMOND 6.4 7.8 10.13 13.15 (93)
NORTHERN 1.5 5.7 5.11 7.12 (54)
