Richmond will be looking to tenacious, young midfielder Anthony Miles for a contested-ball boost, when he makes his AFL debut for the Tigers in Sunday’s Round 12 clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Miles, who played 10 games in two seasons with Greater Western Sydney, before joining Richmond via the rookie draft late last year (and subsequently being elevated to the primary list a couple of weeks ago) , has had to bide his time, waiting for a senior opportunity at his second league club.

In the meantime, Miles has been racking up disposals with Richmond’s VFL team.  He’s averaged 26.1 disposals per match, 12 contested possessions, and four tackles at VFL level this season.

With the Tigers’ AFL side sorely lacking in the crucial contested-ball department of late, Miles will make a timely debut on Sunday.

“We’ve been trying to ascertain when the best time to play him is.  He’s been in good form for about six or seven weeks and he’s probably had an opportunity to play, but we just haven’t gone down that road,” Richmond assistant coach Danny Daly said on Roar Vision’s ‘Spotlight’ this week.

“Now’s a good opportunity for us to play him (with midfielders Daniel Jackson, Reece Conca and Shaun Grigg all sidelined through injury).  Also, with the way North Melbourne play, with their contested style of football, it gives him a great opportunity to come in and play a role for us.

“Tiger fans out there might have seen him in the pre-season against Collingwood and Essendon . . . he had a couple of good games there, at stoppages, and helping ‘Cotchy’ (Trent Cotchin) out.

“So, he’s earned his spot and I’m sure he’ll come out and play the role that we ask him to play.”