Deep into his fourth year of AFL football, Mabior Chol will finally play his first game on the MCG with Richmond, in Sunday’s Round 17 match against Greater Western Sydney.
Chol made his debut with the Tigers in the final home-and-away round of the 2016 season against Sydney at the SCG.
MANY CULTURES Celebrate the Many Cultures that make up our 'One Tiger Army' at the Round 17 match against GWS
He didn’t return to Richmond’s senior side until Round 13 this season, against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval and has retained his place since then with impressive post-bye performances as a forward/ruckman v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in Round 15 and v Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in Round 16.
The 22-year-old is averaging 11.3 disposals, 4.7 marks and 9.7 hit-outs per game in his three AFL appearances this season.
“He’s a good talent, ‘Marbs’,” said Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.
“He’s always had the capacity to play the game. I think what he’s developed is the consistency of performance.
“It’s been the one thing that we’ve put on him a little bit . . .
“He has got some incredible traits that can make everyday AFL players look silly. It’s managing to keep the consistency of his performance, to the level that we like, that has probably been his downfall.
“But he’s worked incredibly hard . . . he had a great off-season.
“The reality is when he plays at his very best, he’s a very, very handy AFL player. And we’re looking forward to seeing that for, hopefully, some years to come.
