West Coast v Richmond: All the news, intel and key takeaways from pre-season practice match
All the focus has been on Richmond’s exciting crop of draftees this pre-season. But it’s a second-year Tiger who looks destined to take his game to the next level after a strong showing against West Coast.
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No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor has entered concussion protocols after his unofficial Richmond debut ended in agony, colliding with Eagles SSP hopeful Sandy Brock.
Lalor came off worse for wear after crashing into the former Sun late in the third quarter of West Coast’s 36-point win.
The Richmond young gun will miss the Tigers’ official practice match against Collingwood next Wednesday but should be fine to line up in their round 1 opener with Carlton on March 13.
The 18-year-old was pushed into the contest by Eagles backman Reuben Ginbey who could come under MRO scrutiny for careless conduct according to Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd.
“Has to be looked at that incident from Ginbey on Lalor. Lalor in such a vulnerable position and the ball player needs to be protected. A form of tunneling,” Lloyd said on X.
Has to be looked at that incident from Ginbey on Lalor. Lalor in such a vulnerable position and the ball player needs to be protected. A form of tunneling.
— Matthew Lloyd (@MatthewLloyd18) February 17, 2025
Lalor slumped to the ground and was in visible pain, gesturing towards his jaw. He exited the ground under the supervision of trainers in what was a sour end to his first appearance in the yellow and black after kicking two of Richmond’s four goals.
Richmond Head of development Sam Lonergan said that Lalor will continue to be assessed.
“He’s got a sore jaw at the moment so he’s currently in concussion protocols,” he said
“He was great today. He played a little bit forward and through the midfield today and contributed in both areas which was fantastic.”
Lonergan said Lalor’s hopes of a round one debut hinged on his diagnosis.
“I suspect that he’ll be ready regardless but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” he said.
In Andrew McQualter’s first game at the helm against opposition, coincidentally across his former side, West Coast debuted a new frenetic, fast and attacking style of play.
Elijah Hewett kicked the opening goal of the game 11 minutes into the first quarter, a delightful running snap after starting on-ball. Lalor responded a short-time later. But the floodgates opened in the second quarter as West Coast kicked six goals to none.
The start to the third quarter was slightly delayed as the Eagles were forced to wait in their positions for Richmond to emerge from their changerooms. The Tigers hit back with three goals in the final quarter but the damage was already done.
Tyler Brockman was busy with three goals while co-captain Oscar Allen kicked two.
SSP hopefuls Jack Henderson, James Van Es and Brock got one final chance to put forward their case for a spot on West Coast’s list ahead of Friday’s deadline. Playing in the midfield and, Henderson kicked a goal in the final quarter and was busy once the ball was in motion. While Van Es and Brock were part of an Eagles backline that conceded just four goals.
Jacob Blight was impressive in defence for Richmond while Thompson Dow and Rhyan Mansell both showed glimpses in what was an inexperienced Tigers line-up.
Matt Flynn was given first crack in the ruck for the Eagles but exited the game after two quarters with a sore back, giving Bailey Williams a chance in the third.
There were also plenty of highlights for a pre-season game, with young Eagle Tyrell Dewar attempting an Ashley Sampi-esque mark in the first quarter. While he couldn’t complete it, Dewar went again later in the game and also kicked a fantastic running goal in the second term.
NEW RECRUITS
It didn’t take long for Liam Baker and Jack Graham to have an impact against their former sides. Baker was straight into the action against Richmond, laying one of the first tackles of the morning after the ball spilled forward. While Graham started in the midfield at the opening centre bounce alongside Liam Duggan and Elijah Hewett. Already one of the best runners at the club, Graham’s physicality and clean hands are a welcome addition to an Eagles midfield that’s set to be without Elliot Yeo (knee/ankle) early in the season. He has also clearly bought into the hallmarks of West Coast’s new game plan, immediately playing on after winning a holding the ball tackle in the second term. It was one of several strong tackles he laid throughout the game. Baker used his speed and evasiveness to take the game on from half-back. There was no love lost though. Jack Ross got Baker with a front-on bump later in the first quarter before the Eagle returned the favour seconds later with a strong tackle down the other end.
EAGLES MIDFIELD DEPTH TESTED
New Eagle Jack Graham praised the depth of West Coast’s midfield after an undermanned on-ball outfit got it done against Richmond without Elliot Yeo, Harley Reid and Tim Kelly.
Flexibility is set to become a key trait at the Eagles this year under new coach Andrew McQualter with Graham anchoring a midfield that was missing three of its biggest names.
Yeo is eyeing a return in the first month of the season after successful syndesmosis surgery, Reid is continuing to manage ankle soreness while Kelly was unavailable after representing the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday.
Graham, Elijah Hewett and defender Liam Duggan were a prominent centre bounce combination for the Eagles but the likes of SSP hopeful Jack Henderson and mid-season draft pick Jack Hutchinson also saw some midfield minutes.
“The whole pre-season, we’ve had a lot of boys go through the midfield,” Graham said. “That’s what Mini wants to do, to be able to use (different) players through there.
“Today, we just wanted to get to work and I thought we did that for most of the three quarters. But at the same time, I’m pretty excited to get Harley and TK out there, even Yeoy when he’s back.
“It will probably look a bit different when those boys come back but I’m happy to do whatever Mini wants me to do, whether that’s playing in there or bits forward.
“They’re pretty good players those two (Reid and Kelly) and I’d rather they be out there than not.“
thankfully Dewar didn't take this - would've been a waste in the preseason pic.twitter.com/D3rMTWI7km
— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC) February 17, 2025
GREEN SHOOTS FROM YOUNG GUNS
Graham said he was impressed by the likes of Tyrell Dewar, who almost reeled in a mark of the year contender, Hutchinson and Hewett.
“Dewar was pretty exciting today, watching him take almost a few hangers,” he said. “I wish I could jump like that.
“Even Hutch, he does some exciting things. And Elijah Hewett hasn’t played a heap of footy but he’s had a really strong pre-season and it was good to see him get some reward today.
“He loves the contest. I’m glad he’s on my team this year.”
West Coast’s only injury concern to emerge from the clash is ruckman Matt Flynn who exited the game after two quarters with a sore back. The Eagles are set to play an intraclub this Saturday before completing their pre-season preparations with a clash against North Melbourne in Bunbury.
ROOKIE WATCH
Regardless of how his morning ended, it’s hard not to subscribe to the Sam Lalor, Dustin Martin comparisons. The No.1 draft pick was into the action early and kicked Richmond’s opening goal courtesy of a classy mark while under pressure from Brady Hough. Splitting his time between the midfield and forward line, Lalor finished with two goals and was strong in the contest, holding his own at stoppages. Lonergan said that there was no set split between both lines and Richmond would look to see how his body responds in the opening rounds of the season. “We just need to manage his load and work out what he’s capable of doing,” he said.
“If he’s capable of spending more time in the midfield, we’ll absolutely explore that but if it’s less, we’ll keep working with him in the next 12 months until his body physically adapts to the challenges of AFL football.” In a brief battle of the 2024 first round picks, Lalor caught West Coast’s draftee Bo Allan holding the ball during the second term.
Allan, pick 16, played predominantly in the backline where he was able to showcase his strength. Even when under pressure, he was able to find an outlet by hand as he tracks towards a round one debut.
Second-year key forward Archer Reid also showed flashes, headlined by an early fly on the wing he couldn’t quite reign in. In the absence of Jake Waterman (back), Reid supported Oscar Allen up forward and also offered support in the ruck.
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