Richmond Round 1 debuts: Sam Lalor, Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong to debut for Tigers

Richmond will unveil a trio of debutants on one of footy’s biggest stages – Round 1’s blockbuster MCG clash between the Tigers and Blues – to herald the start of its newest era.

Number one draft pick Sam Lalor will make his debut for Richmond on Thursday night.

The Tigers confirmed on Monday that Lalor, 18, and fellow debutants Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong will face the Blues.

The trio were told with teammates on Monday afternoon and were quickly afforded time to share the news with their biggest supporters – their parents – via phone in emotional scenes on the balcony at Punt Road Oval.

It comes just weeks after Lalor fractured his jaw in a marking contest in a practice match against West Coast, requiring surgery that saw two of his wisdom teeth removed and a plate inserted.

Harry Armstrong, Sam Lalor and Luke Trainor ahead of their debuts

Tigers coach Adem Yze told the Herald Sun last week that “if it was anyone else it would have meant 12 weeks” on the sidelines but credited Lalor’s professionalism and dedication to ensuring he would be in the frame to play in the team’s season-opening clash.

“There’s a reason why he’s the number one pick, and it’s not just his talent on the field,” Yze said on a recent club podcast.

“He’s just a great character and a great teammate. He’s so diligent. He wants to be the best player he can be, and we’re starting to see that. He hasn’t done a pre-season (previously), he’d normally play cricket in his off-season.

“He’s just done it all on pure talent. He was so unlucky getting hurt when he did but even seeing how quick he’s recovering and responding to that, it’s been enormous.”

Trainor and Armstrong both impressed in recent match simulations to earn their spot.

“Luke hasn’t missed a beat,” Yze told the Herald Sun recently.

Sam Lalor. Picture: Michael Klein

Luke Trainor. Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“His pre-season kind of deserves the opportunity, and we wanted to give him that exposure against Collingwood (in the community series), so we did that and he came on and just fits in nicely.

“To be fair, he has got an experienced back group around him, so it’s a lot easier to throw him in there with the support around him, but we’ve got a younger forward profile.”

Key forward Tom Lynch is also expected to play after he performed strongly in match simulation on Monday after suffering a concussion in a recent practice match.