Richmond’s VFL coach Tim Clarke has endorsed the senior claims of two talented young players, as the Tigers look to inject some fresh talent into a side that has won just three of 10 games so far this season.

Brett O’Hanlon, 20, and Brad Helbig, 22, have displayed impressive form with the Tiger ‘twos’ over the past few weeks.

Both O’Hanlon and Helbig were among Richmond’s best players in its 36-point VFL win against Essendon at the ME Bank Centre’s Punt Road Oval last Saturday.

O’Hanlon had 20 disposals, including eight inside-50s, and also laid five tackles, while Helbig finished with 26 disposals, including eight rebound-50s, and took 11 marks.

“Brett’s been terrific on our wings all season,” Clarke told ‘Roar Vision’.

“He moved off the half-forward flank into the wing position and he’s been playing well.

“The big challenge for Brett is to start impacting on the scoreboard as well.

“If he can be getting 25 touches, and kicking one or two goals a game as a winger, you’re really starting to push hard for senior selection . . .

“’Braddy’ Helbig’s been playing down back on some of the (opposition’s) main forwards.

“We want to get him back into the midfield at some stage, but he’s been playing a role for us down there.

“He continues to get plenty of the footy, he’s getting his confidence up, and he’s got continuity in his game.

“The last few years he’s struggled with injury.  He plays three or four games and he misses.

“This year’s the first time he’s finally started to string some games together.  So, hopefully, the tail-end of the season’s really good for him.”

Helbig made his league debut with Richmond in 2011 and has managed just 16 games all-up, with only one coming his way last season.

O’Hanlon’s eight games at senior level for the Tigers were all in 2012.