Richmond’s National Recruiting Manager Matthew Clarke provides an insight into the Club’s first pick (No. 40 overall) in last Wednesday night’s 2020 AFL national draft, young Queensland ruckman Samson Ryan.

“He’s obviously a big boy . . . He came through the Brisbane Lions academy system. Turned 20 today (draft day, December 9) . . . so he’s a pretty excited, young man.

“He was a Richmond supporter as a kid and he’s played some really good senior footy leading the ruck in the QAFL this year, when the NEAFL fell over, and the competition, the QAFL, really strengthened. He held his own in the ruck.

“He’s only a 20-year-old, but he’s 206 (cm), he's really skilled by foot for a big man, and he can move around the ground. So, we’re really excited.

“We thought we needed some ruck support for Toby (Nankervis). And with Callum Coleman-Jones coming along, while Ivan Soldo probably won’t play a lot of footy next year, we thought we’d strengthen that area of the ground . . .

“His talent was too much to pass up.”