Richmond will blood two debutants in Friday night’s blockbuster clash against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.

Dashing defender Rhyan Mansell and midfielder Will Martyn will each pull on the Yellow and Black for the first time, adding youth to the premiers’ line-up.

Martyn, who captained Brisbane’s Academy side in 2019, has been on the cusp of an AFL debut for some time, impressing with his ball-winning prowess and flexibility to play both inside and outside.

The 20-year-old was selected by Richmond with the 44th pick at the 2019 NAB AFL Draft and has been named an emergency on several occasions across the past two seasons.

Mansell, also 20, will fittingly make his AFL debut in South Australia, having been added to Richmond’s list from the SANFL, where he is a premiership player with Woodville West Torrens.

The 180cm defender who hails from Tasmania, where he also won three senior flags with North Launceston, has been training with the Club since January 7, originally as part of the AFL’s Supplementary Selection Period (SSP).

The speedy defender was officially added to the AFL list in February and has impressed in recent Richmond VFL practice matches. Mansell and Martyn will become Richmond’s first two debutants of the 2021 season.

The Tigers’ full squad will be announced tomorrow at 6.20pm. Friday’s clash will begin at 7.50pm AEST.