Richmond’s pre-season ramped up on Saturday morning with an intraclub contest at Punt Road Oval.
With less than four weeks remaining until Richmond’s season opener against Carlton, over a thousand members of the Yellow and Black faithful flocked to Tigerland to catch the boys in action.
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The Tigers were split into two teams, Yellow and Black, and played four quarters of varying lengths.
While the first two quarters proved to be a tight contest, the Yellow team sailed away in the final two quarters to stamp a resounding 46-point victory, with the final scores 16.8 (104) to 9.4 (58).
Inside midfielder Dion Prestia opened proceedings with a snap out of traffic, sealing the first goal of the day for the Yellow side.
Daniel Rioli’s trademark tenacity was on full display as he hit the scoreboard on multiple occasions, his hard running and tackling paying dividends for the Yellow side.
Kane Lambert also played a key role in the Yellow team’s success, dominating the midfield alongside smooth-moving captain Trent Cotchin.
The play of the day came from a seamless passage, starting with Mav Weller who handballed to Shane Edwards, to Lambert, to Dustin Martin and then Cotchin, with the skipper slotting through the major on the run.
Recruit Weller was influential up forward for the Yellow side as he converted several of his chances.
Richmond’s most recent addition, Sydney Stack, also produced some impressive plays for the Yellow side, most notably a high-flying mark and a dribble goal from the pocket.
The Black team was lifted by the efforts of Bachar Houli who was dangerous with ball in hand, and long-kicking Jayden Short who was influential in defence.
Jack Graham looked comfortable in possession for the Black side, indicating that he is ready to go after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of the 2018 season.
Tiger talls Callum Coleman Jones (Black team) and Ivan Soldo (Yellow team) showcased the hard work they’ve put in over the pre-season as they push for upcoming selection.
Assistant coach Justin Leppitsch said the intraclub match offered a valuable pre-season hit-out.
“The end of the game blew out a little bit, we changed the teams around and pulled players out of positions which makes them uncomfortable, but for the most part the defensive system was really strong which is what we pride ourselves on,” he said.
Leppitsch noted the efforts of draftees Jack Ross and Riley Collier-Dawkins, and praised their work around the contest.
“It’s just getting used to the pace of the game for young players, and playing an AFL system, they’re two completely different styles of game, what you do at junior footy to what you do at the men’s game,” he said.
“I thought all in all, their efforts were terrific and their ball winning abilities were terrific.”
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After snapping two goals for the Black side today, Leppitsch predicted utility Noah Balta could be an exciting prospect for 2019.
“He does some great things… he’s a big strong boy around the contest,” Leppitsh said.
“He’s only a second-year player but he looks like a 10-year player and he’s still learning the game.”
Richmond’s next hit-out will be their JLT Community Series match against Melbourne in Shepparton on Sunday, March 3.
Leppitsh said Richmond will be fielding their best available team for the clash.
“We’ll have an idea after today what our team will look like, but best available, it will be,” Leppitsch said.
