Training Pre Season ‘25

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"Jacob Koschitzke is looming as the defensive cover Richmond sorely requires in the wake of key absences that will stretch into the first portion of the season.
The positional switch-up from forward to defence has been in the works since before Christmas but the experiment could pay off early for the Tigers, with Koschitzke in full defensive mode at Punt Road on Wednesday morning as the team desperately looks to a key pillar in the absence of Noah Balta (suspended) and Josh Gibcus as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

Gibcus was on Tuesday ruled out of at least the early rounds of the season, while Balta will miss at least the first four games of the season after he was charged by police with assault earlier this month.

Koschitzke has played 62 games — including 48 for Hawthorn before joining Richmond at the end of 2023 — and kicked 66 goals but was originally drafted as a fullback.

As many as six untried Tigers could make the trip to Perth in a fortnight where the team will face West Coast on February 17.

Draftee Luke Trainor could line up alongside Koschitzke in defence, while Thomas Sims — who was taken at pick 28 — featured at full-forward in a number of drills at Punt Road on Wednesday morning, working in cohesion with premiership forward Tom Lynch who is at full fitness.

Big-bodied midfielder Sam Lalor remains firmly in the frame to play in Round 1 but completed some work indoors due to management with heavy match simulation sessions to bookend the week on Monday and Wednesday, while ballwinning counterpart Dion Prestia also completed only 45 minutes of the two-hour session on the ground before heading inside.

Fellow midfielder Josh Smillie suffered a minor hamstring injury earlier this week but could still face the Eagles, while initial fears that Jasper Alger had suffered a knee injury this week were allayed when it was discovered to be a hyperextension.

Forwards Jonty Faull and Harry Armstrong are also considered chances to feature in the coming weeks.

Former Tigers Jack Graham and Liam Baker are both now Eagles, though the latter was forced from the training track on Wednesday after appearing to injure his ankle in an awkward landing, leaving questions as to whether he will take on his former side.

Ruck Samson Ryan played as a key forward throughout Wednesday morning’s session, while Kamdyn McIntosh wore a “no contact” hat for the entire session."
lmaooooo
 

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It’s good to have the extra interest of following these kids, during our rebuild, so thanks for posting this.

Maybe we’ll get an opportunity to watch Kellaway and Leys ( as a bottom ager) playing for SA in the Nationals this year.
Based on his performance in the SA Under 17's futures which I'll show in the highlights tonight, I'd be shocked if Kellaway isn't in the Champs games this year in the Under 18's, still a bit to play out though obviously.

Leys will be a good chance to to play some type of rep footy as well. I think at a absolute minimum we should see him in the SA future Under 17s game this year. I have highlights of his under 16's games from last year coming out next week as well.

I will do my best to try and keep getting footage of both of them during the year to track them.


It is definitely an exciting time seeing a few players come through the ranks!

The other one is Cody Walker who is a NGA Academy prospect for 2026 however he is also tied to Carlton as a father son pick.



I have heard that Blair Hartley and Rhy Gieschen are putting in some work to try and convince him to come to us, but it's definitely a long shot unfortunately.
 
Based on his performance in the SA Under 17's futures which I'll show in the highlights tonight, I'd be shocked if Kellaway isn't in the Champs games this year in the Under 18's, still a bit to play out though obviously.

Leys will be a good chance to to play some type of rep footy as well. I think at a absolute minimum we should see him in the SA future Under 17s game this year. I have highlights of his under 16's games from last year coming out next week as well.

I will do my best to try and keep getting footage of both of them during the year to track them.


It is definitely an exciting time seeing a few players come through the ranks!

The other one is Cody Walker who is a NGA Academy prospect for 2026 however he is also tied to Carlton as a father son pick.



I have heard that Blair Hartley and Rhy Gieschen are putting in some work to try and convince him to come to us, but it's definitely a long shot unfortunately.

wtf

his old man just retired not long ago

what he do have him at 14?
 
wtf

his old man just retired not long ago

what he do have him at 14?
He retired 9 years ago, have you lost track of time with no sunlight in the dungeon?

Jokes aside, Walker is 39 this year, so would have been 23/24ish.
 
forgot about leys, are the rest showing any signs of being "top talent" or do they simply exist?
Kellaway has been developing really nicely and putting runs on the board.

There is alot of excitement around Armstrong and Leys, and their upside

Bowden less news but is supposed to be decent.

Bower, Scott and Frangalas are playing second year in our VFL and are a wait and see. I think it was Broderick who wasn't offered a new contract.

Daffy Jnr is younger than the others IIRC and is a bit of an unknown although the kid can play.

Only going off everything I can find as of a few days ago so if there is in fact "intel" it should be raising alot of new info and probably new names.
 
He retired 9 years ago, have you lost track of time with no sunlight in the dungeon?

Jokes aside, Walker is 39 this year, so would have been 23/24ish.
does he still wear a hat
 

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I think its:-

Kellaway - 2025 draft
Leys - 2026 draft
Armstrong - 2026 draft
Bowden - 2027 draft
Daffy - 2027 draft
Yep this.

On Daffy, I did have some footage sent to me of him doing some training drills and he looks good!

The below is what Nick had to say on Archie:
-Made the main squad at the Falcons 18's as a underage
-Came 2nd in the 2km time trial, his recorded time would have been top 5 at RFC this pre season
-Still growing and looking strong


Making the main 18s squad as a underage is huge, hopefully we see a bit more of him this year now!
 
Yep this.

On Daffy, I did have some footage sent to me of him doing some training drills and he looks good!

The below is what Nick had to say on Archie:
-Made the main squad at the Falcons 18's as a underage
-Came 2nd in the 2km time trial, his recorded time would have been top 5 at RFC this pre season
-Still growing and looking strong


Making the main 18s squad as a underage is huge, hopefully we see a bit more of him this year now!
we have a half back flank ready for him. just needs to loose 15 kilo
 

Mykelti Lefau, Josh Gibcus, Tylar Young, Taj Hotton and Judson Clarke off to Samoa​

Richmond were decimated by injury in 2024, particularly knee complaints. Now, Richmond’s “ACL quintet” are taking the next step in their road back to the top level.
Lauren Wood
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@LaurenHeraldSun








Richmond’s “ACL quintet” will jet off to Samoa on Saturday with Tigers forward Mykelti Lefau to connect with the sites of his family roots for the very first time.
Lefau, Josh Gibcus, Tylar Young, Taj Hotton and Judson Clarke — who is the closest of the five who suffered the knee injury in 2024 to returning to play — will travel to the Pacific country, with an eye to both discovering more about Lefau’s Samoan heritage and further developing football in the Polynesian islands.
The 26-year-old was born in New Zealand with his father from Samoa, and will travel to the village his grandparents call home for the very first time on the five-day trip — his first to the island nation.
Mykelti Lefau was a bright spot before going down with injury. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Mykelti Lefau was a bright spot before going down with injury. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Mykelti is very proud of his Samoan heritage,” Tigers chief executive Shane Dunne said.
“The traditional celebration his family and friends put on for him in our changerooms at the MCG before his debut was a great example of how he carries his heritage and what it means to him.
“For him to now be able to return to his family’s village while wearing the Richmond logo will be a proud moment for him, but also for our club.”
Lefau’s family members delivered a haka to the Tiger upon his debut game in 2024 which he described at the time as “pretty special”.
His grandmother on his father’s side is from Nofoali’i, a village on the Samoan island of Upolu, and his grandfather Falelatai on the same island.
“I’d never really had an opportunity to show my culture before, and doing it in the AFL … I had no hesitation to do it,” Lefau said last year.
“I think it’s very important to see a future with Pacific islanders playing AFL. It’s sort of an untapped area of talent.
“That’s my dream — to make sure we have young kids from islands to have an opportunity to play a sport that they’ve never even heard of.”
The Tigers were ravaged by knee injuries in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Tigers were ravaged by knee injuries in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Lefau suffered his ACL injury in May and with his four fellow injured Tigers is expected to be given a full 12 months to recover.
Clarke, 21, has progressed slightly ahead of the five and took part in most match drills at Punt Road Oval on Wednesday morning.
The upcoming Pacific trip will also include visits to sporting organisations and the opportunity for locals interested in learning more about AFL coaching.
“AFL is for everyone,” Dunne said.
“And Richmond embodies that. It’s powerful that our players can engage with the Samoan community actively — and who knows, they might inspire some local talent to consider the sport as a potential option.”
Type of thing richoplzbreed has been banging crying out for for a while

Find an untapped market full of potential and plant our flag for possible nga recruitment
 

Mykelti Lefau, Josh Gibcus, Tylar Young, Taj Hotton and Judson Clarke off to Samoa​

Richmond were decimated by injury in 2024, particularly knee complaints. Now, Richmond’s “ACL quintet” are taking the next step in their road back to the top level.
Lauren Wood
follow

@LaurenHeraldSun









Richmond’s “ACL quintet” will jet off to Samoa on Saturday with Tigers forward Mykelti Lefau to connect with the sites of his family roots for the very first time.
Lefau, Josh Gibcus, Tylar Young, Taj Hotton and Judson Clarke — who is the closest of the five who suffered the knee injury in 2024 to returning to play — will travel to the Pacific country, with an eye to both discovering more about Lefau’s Samoan heritage and further developing football in the Polynesian islands.
The 26-year-old was born in New Zealand with his father from Samoa, and will travel to the village his grandparents call home for the very first time on the five-day trip — his first to the island nation.
Mykelti Lefau was a bright spot before going down with injury. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Mykelti Lefau was a bright spot before going down with injury. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Mykelti is very proud of his Samoan heritage,” Tigers chief executive Shane Dunne said.
“The traditional celebration his family and friends put on for him in our changerooms at the MCG before his debut was a great example of how he carries his heritage and what it means to him.
“For him to now be able to return to his family’s village while wearing the Richmond logo will be a proud moment for him, but also for our club.”
Lefau’s family members delivered a haka to the Tiger upon his debut game in 2024 which he described at the time as “pretty special”.
His grandmother on his father’s side is from Nofoali’i, a village on the Samoan island of Upolu, and his grandfather Falelatai on the same island.
“I’d never really had an opportunity to show my culture before, and doing it in the AFL … I had no hesitation to do it,” Lefau said last year.
“I think it’s very important to see a future with Pacific islanders playing AFL. It’s sort of an untapped area of talent.
“That’s my dream — to make sure we have young kids from islands to have an opportunity to play a sport that they’ve never even heard of.”
The Tigers were ravaged by knee injuries in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Tigers were ravaged by knee injuries in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Lefau suffered his ACL injury in May and with his four fellow injured Tigers is expected to be given a full 12 months to recover.
Clarke, 21, has progressed slightly ahead of the five and took part in most match drills at Punt Road Oval on Wednesday morning.
The upcoming Pacific trip will also include visits to sporting organisations and the opportunity for locals interested in learning more about AFL coaching.
“AFL is for everyone,” Dunne said.
“And Richmond embodies that. It’s powerful that our players can engage with the Samoan community actively — and who knows, they might inspire some local talent to consider the sport as a potential option.”
gibcus needs to try a season without the pisstake mo

maybe its bad luck
 
Based on his performance in the SA Under 17's futures which I'll show in the highlights tonight, I'd be shocked if Kellaway isn't in the Champs games this year in the Under 18's, still a bit to play out though obviously.

Leys will be a good chance to to play some type of rep footy as well. I think at a absolute minimum we should see him in the SA future Under 17s game this year. I have highlights of his under 16's games from last year coming out next week as well.

I will do my best to try and keep getting footage of both of them during the year to track them.


It is definitely an exciting time seeing a few players come through the ranks!

The other one is Cody Walker who is a NGA Academy prospect for 2026 however he is also tied to Carlton as a father son pick.



I have heard that Blair Hartley and Rhy Gieschen are putting in some work to try and convince him to come to us, but it's definitely a long shot unfortunately.

Blair is such a good operator, that you just know he’ll be doing everything possible to get Walker. As you say very much a long shot, but for a player of his quality, you’ve got to have a red hot crack .

Have yet to see any Leys footage, BUT have read some very positive reports re him possibly being the best of the F/S picks, albeit very early days to be making any calls.
 
Dow is basically proven not up to being a first choice AFL midfielder & cannot play any other position. You are not making allowances for his development at selection.

McAuliffe was miles off having an AFL midfield tank in 2024. Unless that is fixed in one interrupted off-season(it won't be) if he plays major midfield minutes at AFL level, our midfield will not function in a way that allows the rest of the team to function properly.

Sonsie and Ross(& Dow) are probably the exact reason McIntosh is being trained for this role. They are weak defensively. Based on what we have seen from them previously, you put any of them in the midfield for major minutes, it starts leaking.

A couple of the new draftees look like they might be the damage in there but are first year of course, and will only benefit from having big bodies around them.

Regardless of our expectations for the season, we still want the team functioning well, and especially the midfield. If McIntosh(or anyone else) can play a role in there better than the also rans, and it allows the team to function better overall, then get him in there.

I don't agree with the thinking that says you banish guys from the list because you are frightened the selectors will see them as the best available option at some point. This is an argument FOR keeping someone on the list. If the role breathes new life into McIntosh's career, we should be all for it. It is not going to cost the next Cotchin or Martin midfild minutes, those types will always take priority. If it costs the next Anthony Miles or Collier-Dawkins midfield minutes, then who cares?

Master Kan, greatest wing of all time has played back and forward in his time. Never in the middle.
How effective was he tagging?
Keep Taranto stat less?

Midfield play is completely different. Bolton swoop past one clearance and not get the footy, Kosi gets a couple while back up rucking, Libba, Pickett ran with Neale for half the final, barely a success. Quick reactions required, I feel the offensive drive from MRJ. Or Lalor & Smilie...
Leave him on the wing.

10 goals from 60 inside 50s last game is our problem.
 

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Training Pre Season ‘25


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