Promising, young Richmond midfielder, Brad Helbig, has been selected for his first AFL game this season.

Helbig, who suffered a long-term foot injury playing for Richmond’s VFL affiliate, Coburg, at the start of this season, has been named on the interchange bench in the Tigers’ line-up for Saturday night’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

He resumed playing a couple of weeks ago at Coburg and his solid efforts there have quickly earned him a promotion into the Richmond side.

The 20-year-old impressed with his toughness, aggression and long kicking in 10 senior league appearances in his 2011 debut season, after being taken by the Tigers with their third pick (No. 47 overall) in the 2010 National Draft.

His last game for Richmond was in the Round 17, 2011 loss to Gold Coast at Cairns.
Helbig’s recall is one of three Tiger changes for the Round 19 match against the Lions, with Ben Griffiths and Matthew White also returning to the side.

A calf strain has kept Griffiths sidelined since the Round 15 game against Melbourne, while White has served the three-week suspension he received from the AFL Match Review Panel following that victory over the Demons.

Out of the Richmond team that lost to Carlton by four points at the MCG last Saturday night are Matt Dea, Addam Maric and Kelvin Moore, all omitted.
The three Tiger emergencies for Saturday night’s match are Dea, Angus Graham and Brett O’Hanlon.

Click here to see the full team