Richmond’s VFL coach Tim Clarke provides his exclusive summary of how the team’s AFL-listed players performed in last Saturday’s big win against North Ballarat.

Matt Arnot
24 disposals, five clearances, five tackles
Produced his best performance of the year to date, playing mainly through the midfield. Won plenty of ball, had more than 10 contested possessions, tackled well all day, and got plenty of clearances. Really happy with what Matty was able to do with the footy, which is something he has been working on.

Matt Dea
21 disposals, nine contested possessions
Played a really good defensive game.  Helped to set up our defenders right throughout the match, which was really important, given that we have a young defence.  Also helped set us up offensively with 21 disposals and plenty of movement going forward.

Matt McDonough
22 disposals, five clearances, 11 contested possessions
Spent the majority of the match in the midfield, with a couple of spells up forward.  Was quite influential, with 22 touches, including 11 contested possessions. The best thing about Matty’s game was that a lot of his disposals were of AFL standard, which is what we expect from him.

Jason Castagna
21 disposals, four tackles, nine contested possessions
Had another really solid game off half-back.  Won the ball well and provided plenty of run-and-carry, which is what we are starting to expect from him. Defensively, he again was sound, getting the job done.  Hopefully, in the next two-three weeks, we can start to see him push hard for senior selection.

Todd Elton
16 disposals, seven marks
Spent most of the game down back and was really solid defensively. Was up against a quality forward opponent in North Melbourne-listed Aaron Black, who’s played a fair bit of senior footy, and he did the job.  Black had only eight or nine touches and didn’t have a shot for goal, so Todd played his role extremely well. Also took seven marks, with three or four of those being chop-out grabs. His game is really starting to build.

Sam Lloyd
16 disposals, 12 contested possessions, four tackles
His contested work was outstanding . . . he never loses a one-on-one contest at VFL level.  Needs to keep performing in this area, if he is to regain his place in the senior side. Unfortunately, wasn’t accurate in front of goal, finishing with only four behinds. Must take his opportunities when they present.

Connor Menadue
16 disposals, two goals
Played a mix of forward and wing.  Was pretty dynamic going forward, having three or four shots for goal, kicking two, and helping set up two or three others.  Some of Connor’s possessions were of AFL quality, and we’re starting to see a real player in him.  Just needs to keep working on his contested work and pressure, which we know that he can bring, due to his speed and reading of the play.

Liam McBean
Five goals, 13 disposals, five marks
Was much better last Saturday. Ended up having seven shots for goal, finishing with five goals, two behinds. His contested work was as good as it’s been.  He led well and presented as a dangerous target for our ‘mids’. It was really pleasing for him to finally be rewarded with some goals.

Ty Vickery
Three goals, 12 disposals, six contested possessions
Worked tirelessly all game up forward.  Had a pretty good match-up in North Melbourne-listed Joel Tippett.  Ended up kicking three goals, but probably could have had another three or four, if a few contests inside 50 had gone his way.  Ty’s attitude, and his ability to keep competing and set up our forward line, was terrific throughout.

Reece McKenzie
Two goals, 11 disposals, eight marks
Played one of his best games for the year.  Took some really good, strong, contested marks and had three or four shots for goal, finishing with two majors. Is really starting to develop into the key forward that we know he can be.  Just need him to play good, consistent footy.

Shaun Hampson
41 hitouts, 10 disposals, three clearances
Another really good game in the ruck from Shaun. Gave our mids first use right from the opening bounce.  Was solid with his second efforts, too, which is something he’s been working on and it was pleasing to see him go forward and have two or three shots for goal.  Also took some big marks, which we need him to do if he is to be a consistent performer at AFL level.

Matt Thomas
10 disposals, three clearances, two tackles
Had an excellent start to the match.  Was our most dominant player in the first quarter, with a swag of disposals, most of them contested.  But after really setting the scene early, he unfortunately got stepped on by one of the North Ballarat players in a contest and needed to sit out the rest of the game.  Hopefully Matt can get his body ready for next Sunday’s game.