Richmond’s second selection in last year’s National Draft, Oleg Markov, will make his senior league debut in Saturday night’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
The 20-year-old son of former world champion pole vaulter Dmitri Markov has impressed at VFL level with the Tigers in a variety of on-field roles this season.
He showcased his elite speed and endurance as a rebounding half-back last Sunday against competition ladder leader Casey at Punt Road, where he had 19 disposals and six tackles.
See the Western Bulldogs team for Saturday night's clash at Etihad Stadium
Markov will be Richmond’s fifth AFL debutant in 2016, joining Daniel Rioli, Jayden Short, Jason Castagna and Nathan Broad.
His inclusion is one of five changes the Tigers have made to their line-up for the Round 16 clash with the Bulldogs.
Ruckman Shaun Hampson returns after missing the Round 15 loss to Port Adelaide with a minor knee injury, while three other talented young players have been recalled – Rioli, Castagna and Liam McBean.
Rioli, 19, regains his place in the senior side after just one VFL match (13 disposals and 13 tackles v Casey), Castagna, who turns 20 next Tuesday, will line up for his third AFL game (23 disposals, three goals and seven tackles v Casey), and it also will be the third appearance at the highest level for the 21-year-old McBean (19 disposals, two goals, five marks v Casey).
They replace Shaun Grigg, who has a knee injury, while Broad, Ivan Maric, Ty Vickery and Kane Lambert have all been omitted.
Richmond’s three emergencies for the Round 16 match against the Bulldogs are Broad, Ben Lennon and Andrew Moore.
The Round 16 Richmond team
B: Rance, Astbury, Grimes
HB: Deledio, Hunt, B. Ellis
C: Edwards, Miles, Cotchin
HF: Martin, Rioli, Markov
F: Riewoldt, Lloyd, McBean
R: Griffiths, Conca, Vlastuin
IC: Menadue, Castagna, Short, Hampson
Em: Lennon, A. Moore, Broad
In: Hampson, Rioli, Markov, McBean, Castagna
Out: Grigg (knee), Maric, Lambert, Vickery, Broad
New: Oleg Markov, 20, 188cm, 73kg from North Adelaide (SANFL). Richmond’s second pick (No. 50 overall) in the 2015 National Draft
