Richmond players, and coaches alike, heaped praise on Kamdyn McIntosh following his stunning senior debut for the Tigers in their opening round victory over Carlton at the MCG.

McIntosh, who was Richmond’s second selection (No. 31 overall) in the 2012 AFL National Draft, picked up 23 disposals, took an equal-game high nine marks, and generated major drive for the Tiger team through his hard running in the midfield.

Injured veteran Tiger midfielder Nathan Foley, who watched from the stands, described McIntosh’s first-up performance at the game’s highest level as “outstanding”.

“‘Kapsun’ has just got, for the way AFL footy’s played these days, an enormous amount of upside,” Foley said on ‘The Richmond Review’.

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“He’s tall, he’s got an elite ‘tank’, he’s well built for a tall bloke, he’s quite thickset, and that’s enabled him to compete in the air and also at ground level.

“As we saw tonight, when he him burst away on that wing, and when he kicked a goal, he’s got a good turn of speed.

“So, you combine that with the endurance he’s got, and he’s just got some elite attributes, particularly to play wing.

‘He just fits in perfectly at AFL level.  He had an outstanding summer . . . he didn’t miss many (sessions) at all . . . He got his reward tonight and I’m sure he can continue that form on for the rest of the year.”

Richmond assistant coach Mark ‘Wilbur’ Williams agreed with Foley’s thoughts on the 21-year-old from WA country town Pinjarra.

“Kam’s a massive runner.  I think he put pressure on the Carlton side because of his run and also his ball use.  His ball use is outstanding,” Williams said.

“I think the possession that really stood out for me was when he went back with the flight of the ball in the backline, took a chop-out mark, then switched play, and off we went again. 

“Not only can he use the ball, but he can win his own ball, and his running ability is exactly what we need on the wing and as a half-back flanker. 

“It’s one of the best debuts I’ve seen . . .”