Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, playing just his fourth game of AFL football, has polled the most votes by a Richmond player in the 2020 AFL Coaches’ Association’s Champion Player Award for the Round 7 encounter between the Tigers and North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium.

The creative small defender received eight votes from coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond and Rhyce Shaw (North Melbourne) for his superb showing on the night – a team-high 23 disposals, with four rebound-50s, three inside-50s, four intercepts, four score involvements, three tackles, 471 metres gained and six marks. 

Another talented, young Tiger, Shai Bolton, was rewarded for his exciting efforts throughout the course of the match with six votes. Bolton had 19 disposals, including an AFL career-high seven inside-50s, an equal career-high five clearances, seven score involvements and 491 metres gained.

Six votes went to star Tiger defender Dylan Grimes for another trademark dependable display – 19 disposals, a game-high nine marks, six intercepts, five score involvements and a game-high nine one-percenters.

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Mature-age Richmond recruit Marlion Pickett, who produced his best performance since the 2019 Grand Final, was given five votes. Pickett had 16 disposals, four score involvements, three intercepts, took five marks and kicked a goal.

Rounding out the Richmond Round 7 vote-getters in the prestigious coaches’ award were Nick Vlastuin (three votes) and Jayden Short (one vote).

The full voting details for the Round 7 Richmond v North Melbourne match are:

8 – Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Richmond)

6 – Shai Bolton (Richmond)

6 – Dylan Grimes (Richmond)

5 – Marlion Pickett (Richmond)

3 – Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)

1 – Jayden Short (Richmond)

1 – Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne)