Richmond’s VFL coach Craig McRae provides an exclusive summary of the AFL and VFL-listed players who featured in last Sunday’s match against Coburg.

AFL-listed players

Reece Conca
36 disposals, 21 contested possessions, five clearances, seven tackles, one goal

Reece was clearly our best player on the ground. He had 36 disposals, including 21 contested possessions. He actually started quite slowly, but he really picked it up after quarter-time. He looks ready for an AFL opportunity, he’s playing well above the level.

Jacob Townsend
21 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight tackles

Continued to show improvement. He’s not playing above the level as much as we’d like, but he’s certainly in okay form.

Jayden Short
20 kicks, 11 contested possessions, five marks

Played across half-back, he’s using the ball really well. He actually had 20 disposals — all of them kicks, and most of them effective. Played above the level, for probably half the game, and looks ready for a return to AFL duties.

Adam Marcon
19 disposals, 13 contested possessions, eight tackles

Has had a couple of quiet weeks by his standards. Only the 19 disposals and laid eight tackles, but didn't really have the impact he’s had in recent weeks. We’re looking for a spike this week.

Connor Menadue
18 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine tackles, five clearances

Returned from AFL duties and played on the wing. They were difficult conditions, wet and slogging conditions, but he still had 18 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances, so he certainly did contribute and impact the game.

Andrew Moore
15 disposals, 10 contested possessions, four marks

Played more forward this week, looking at a different role for him. He had moments, but we’re looking for more impact from him.

Nathan Broad
13 disposals, four marks, three tackles

Played wing and across half-back. He was better when he went to half-back than when he was on the wing. He looks at times like he is dominating his opponent and using the ball well, but we just need that consistently for four quarters.

Ivan Maric
42 hit-outs, 13 disposals, five clearances, five tackles

Had a really good battle with their ruckman, claiming 42 hit-outs, five clearances and five tackles. He continues to play his role well. After half-time I thought he was a really important player for us.

Liam McBean
13 disposals, 18 hit-outs, five tackles, one goal

Had to go in and play second ruck when Ivan Soldo was concussed early. It actually sparked his intensity in the game. He had 18 hit-outs and five tackles and it was the first time in recent weeks he played ruck and actually showed something for us in that position. He finished the game with 1.3 too, so it could have been a bigger outcome for him.

Jason Castagna
11 disposals, six tackles, six contested possessions

Played forward for the game. He laid six tackles, but didn’t have the impact, and looked a little bit fumbly at times losing a few contests. It’s an area of his game he’s usually good at, so we’re looking for him to improve that.

Dan Butler
10 disposals, seven contested possessions, three tackles, one goal

Had a frustrating game. Another who lost contests and was a bit fumbly at ground level. He needs to improve in that area and be better disciplined.

Oleg Markov
Ten disposals, seven contested possessions, five tackles

Similar to Connor Menadue, he played across the wing and looked dangerous at times. He had little impact, with only the ten disposals. A tough day for him.

Nathan Drummond
Eight disposals, three marks, five tackles

Second game back and played three quarters this week. He had less impact than last in difficult conditions and his opponent looked dangerous, so a few lessons to be learnt from this week.

Callum Moore
Eight disposals, three marks, five tackles

Disappointing game from him. He played from behind in wet conditions and was second to the ball and didn’t play his role. A lot of lessons to be learnt for him this week.

Mabior Chol
Seven disposals, five contested possessions, two marks

Played most of the game down back. He won or neutralised three-quarters of his contests and is showing signs he’s capable of playing as a key-back for only the second week in his career. We moved him forward and he took a couple of contested marks and is showing some good signs of development.

Ivan Soldo

Was unfortunately concussed in his first contest and took no further part in the game.

VFL-listed players

Jacob Ballard
22 disposals, 15 contested possessions, five clearances, eight tackles

Jacob was our second highest possession-getter. He continues to work hard and we’ve been really pleased with his endeavour, with 15 contested possessions and eight tackles. I’m really happy with what he’s contributing.

Sam Darley
22 disposals, 15 kicks, nine uncontested possessions

Returned from state duties and showed good leadership for us, he’s another important player. He just needs to tidy-up a couple of little things defensively, but offensively he’s a real weapon for us.

Ash Morris
11 disposals, six contested possessions, three tackles

Played across half-back. He wasn’t as good as in the first two games he played for us. He was a little bit fumbly and his opponent looked dangerous at times, so he’s better than that and we’re looking for a spike this week.

Dan Coffield
Eight disposals, four tackles

Continues to defend really well and play his role. Happy with his progress as our 23rd player.

Anthony Scott
Eight disposals, six contested possessions, six tackles

Small forward who laid six tackles and picked up eight possessions, but didn’t impact the scoreboard.

Ryan Gale
Six disposals, four tackles, two marks

Key-back who I thought was disappointing on the day being second to the ball and went to ground a couple of times. He’s one of our leaders and we know he’s a better player than that.

Kelvin Williams
Six disposals, five tackles

Played his first game in difficult conditions for a small or medium forward and we’ll look for better output from him in his next opportunity.