Recently-retired Richmond premiership hero Shaun Grigg provides an insight into the progress of several Tigers waiting in the wings to receive an opportunity to debut at the game’s highest level.
WHAT'S YOUR FINAL 5? Attend any five of our last seven games at the 'G
Fraser Turner
“Fraser is developing really well . . . similar to ‘Naishy’ (Patrick Naish), playing that half-back/wing role.
“I think it’s a good indication, when young kids come into the VFL, if can they find the footy against men, and he’s been a good ball-winner. It’s a hard thing to teach that, how to find the footy . . .
“He’s got the other attributes, too; he’s quick and has got good running ability.
“He’s also put on seven or eight kilos already. So he’s taken to the gym pretty good and he works hard.”
Riley Collier-Dawkins
“He’s a big kid. Comparison would be a (Patrick) Cripps-type – a big, rangy midfielder, who get his arms up and gets the ball. I think that would be someone Riley would look to try and play like.
“He doesn’t really need to put on much size, but just fill out a bit more and learn how to use his body against men because in junior footy he had the power and the strength over most kids.
“As you step into VFL and AFL, everyone’s got power, so he’s got to learn how to use his body and his strength.
“He’s in good hands with ‘Fly’ (Richmond’s VFL coach Craig McRae), so you’d back him in to develop pretty quickly.”
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith
“He’s been super again this year.
“He’s worked really hard on his body and his professionalism and he’s starting to play some good, consistent footy off half-back.
“He backs himself in, takes them on, and the defensive side of his game is good.
“I think he’ll be looking to develop his fitness to another level.”
Jake Aarts
“It’s good to see players from the (Club’s VFL) program getting a go and playing well.
"‘Aartsy’ is that kamikaze half-forward who can put on a lot of pressure. He’s very good one-on-one, very strong, and a great finisher, too.
“He’s fitted in here very easily, as he’s known a lot of the boys for a couple of years now.
“He did it pretty tough, was a ‘chippy’, working all day, coming to training. So he’s flourishing being a footballer full time.”
Marlion Pickett
“It’s disappointing that he’s got that finger injury, but hopefully we’ll see him before the season’s out.
“The beauty of his injury, though, is he can stay fit, join in our training, shadow players a bit and learn our system, which will hold him in good stead.
“He doesn’t have to play catch-up on learning our system and structure. So that’s one good thing.
“He’s highly rated and I think he’ll flourish in our system.”
