The growing depth of young playing talent at Richmond will ensure a bright future for the Tigers, according to coach Damien Hardwick.
“I think that’s the exciting thing about our side at the moment. We’ve got three first-year players in our side on a weekly basis at the moment . . . I don’t think there are many other sides, apart from those probably with significant injuries, who have that many,” Hardwick said on SEN.
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“We’ve played as many as four first-year players (at the one time) in our side. So, we’re certainly adding some talent.
“We think we had a really impressive draft last year . . . some of those kids are playing now.
We’ve got some (other young) players that we think are starting to play some really good footy – Nick Vlastuin, for example.
“All these players are starting to come through, and we’re really excited.”
Hardwick, however, was adamant that the order young players are drafted into the AFL, is largely irrelevant.
“It’s great to have a draft pick number beside your name, but the fact of the matter is if you don’t work hard, and you don’t play with intensity and effort, it’s pointless,” he said.
