Richmond v Melbourne match simulation: Clayton Oliver pushing for earlier than expected AFL return

We’ve got all the data on centre bounce attendances for the opening practice match of the season. See how much time Petracca, Pickett, Bolton and more spent at the bounce here.

Chris Cavanagh

@chriscavanagh1

6 min read

February 18, 2024 - 4:57PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

MELBOURNE , AUSTRALIA. February 18 , 2024. AFL. Melbourne vs Richmond practise match at Casey Fields. Richmonds Shai Bolton during the 1st qtr. . Pic: Michael Klein

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Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver is on track to feature early in the home-and-away season after successfully getting through three quarters of match simulation against Richmond on Sunday.

The Demons and Tigers faced off for a seven-period practice match at Casey Fields, with Oliver taking part in what was largely a VFL match for the final three periods.

He won a clearance at his first centre bounce and kicked a goal during his first seven minutes on the ground, looking to have lost none of his touch.

Oliver copped a heavy knock in a marking contest in the sixth period, but was back on the ground minutes later and played out the match.

The 26-year-old had returned to the club only three weeks ago, after taking an extended break to deal with some personal issues.

Melbourne assistant coach Troy Chaplin said the hitout was a positive step forward for the four-time best and fairest winner.

“You can see the class that he does bring so we’re excited to have him back in the program now and really looking forward to the next few weeks and hopefully him playing some good footy for us for the rest of the season,” Chaplin said.

Clayton Oliver showed his class in his return to footy. Picture: Michael Willson/Getty Images

“It doesn’t look like he’s missed a beat, he’s trained extremely hard when he’s been away from the group so he’s put himself in a good condition to still be able to perform once the season starts.”

Oliver has been working closely with assistant coach Andrew McQualter and the Demons are hopeful he will play some more minutes in their official pre-season match against Carlton on February 28 as preparations ramp up for the home-and-away campaign.

“We’ll bring him up to speed as quickly as possible but there’s some other things that he’s got to be able to tick off that the club will work really closely with him on,” Chaplin said.

“But for him it’s just been a bit about getting back out there and building some rapport with the players again.”

Clayton Oliver during the match sim. Picture: Michael Willson/Getty Images

Clayton Oliver bagged a goal. Picture: Michael Willson/Getty Images

Rebounding defender Christian Salem also played in only the final three periods of match simulation after battling a back issue in recent weeks but also got through unscathed.

Salem and Oliver both ran some laps after the match as they continue to build their fitness.

Wingman Lachie Hunter completed a big training session of his own on Sunday morning and is also expected to take on the Blues, while midfielder Angus Brayshaw (illness) and forward Charlie Spargo (Achilles) are also likely to be back for that match.

MATCH SIM TALKING POINTS

Melbourne and Richmond faced off in match simulation at Casey Fields on Sunday as preparations ramp up for the start of the home and away season.

The two teams played an initial four-quarter match, followed by a further three quarters featuring a raft of VFL players.

Here were some of the key takeaways from the clash.

ONBALL SPARKS

Shai Bolton was a class above. Picture: Michael Klein

At a time when fitness levels haven’t peaked and skills can be scrappy, players with pure class stand out.

That was the case for Richmond’s Shai Bolton, who split his time between midfield and forward roles and was a class above during Sunday’s match simulation.

Bolton provided a spark and won multiple centre clearances when he was in the middle, while he also kicked four goals when pushing forward – including three during a second quarter purple patch.

He proved hard to catch with his breakaway pace from the contest and evasive skills.

Melbourne livewire Kysiah Pickett played a similar role and also had a major impact, gathering five centre clearances from only eight centre bounce attendances.

Pickett also finished off his work with two goals, which both came in the third quarter.

GIBCUS BACK AT IT

Josh Gibcus returned from injury. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Having not played since his debut season in 2022 due to persistent hamstring issues last year, Tigers backman Josh Gibcus finally made his return to the field.

The 196cm key defender slotted back in seamlessly, starting the match on the ground and playing the first three quarters before being managed.

Still only 20 years old, Gibcus was strong in one-on-one contests and also displayed some nice follow-up work.

Richmond has high hopes for the 2021 No.9 draft pick, who had featured in 18 games in his debut season.

NEW LOOK TIGERS ATTACK

With Tom Lynch watching on from the sidelines as he continues to build fitness, Richmond rolled out a new-look forward line which it will take into Opening Round.

Lynch has already been ruled out of the clash against the Gold Coast Suns on March 9, with defender-turned-forward Noah Balta and recruit Jacob Koschitzke left to spearhead the attack.

Noah Balta spearheaded the attack. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photo

Balta was the standout, proving strong in the contest against Melbourne defender Steven May and providing a target for teammates.

The 2020 premiership defender took some strong contested marks and kicked three goals in three quarters before being taken out of the match.

Koschitzke made the most of some early opportunities with two goals in the opening term, but was relatively quiet thereafter.

LEAKY DEES DEFENCE

Melbourne was far from full-strength in some areas of the ground, but its defence was not missing much.

Steven May, Jake Lever and Adam Tomlinson were all part of the back-six set up across the first four quarters.

While it was only match simulation in February, the second-stingiest defence in the competition in 2023 didn’t look particularly sharp as it was picked apart by the Tigers.

Richmond booted 10 unanswered goals between the middle of the first quarter and late in the second quarter and had 18 majors on the board after four quarters.

Steven May was part of the back-six set up across the first four quarters. Picture: Michael Klein

RUCK WOES

Both Richmond and Melbourne are lacking a little ruck depth on the back of the off-season departures of their No.2 men.

The Tigers lost Ivan Soldo to Port Adelaide during the trade period, while the Demons lost Brodie Grundy to Sydney.

With captain Toby Nankervis being managed, Richmond started Samson Ryan in the ruck against Melbourne captain Max Gawn.

Ryan – who has 15 AFL games under his belt – had his moments against the six-time All-Australian but was beaten in the battle early.

Former Sydney ruckman Sam Naismith was then injected into the game and performed well.

Gawn played only the first half of the match simulation, with Melbourne then turning to 19-year-old rookie ruck Will Verrall.

Josh Schache – who spent most the game playing as a key forward – also chipped in at the centre bounce at stages.

Richmond started Samson Ryan in the ruck. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

YOUNG TALENT TIME

With Tim Taranto and Dustin Martin being absent from the Richmond line-up, two young Tigers were given the chance to play some extra midfield minutes.

Thomson Dow – who has been one of the club’s most impressive performers on the track over pre-season – played onball for the majority of the match, as did Jack Ross.

They both showed some good signs of development and won some clearances.

Steely Green pushed his case for an early-season AFL debut after an eye-catching showing up forward, which included two goals in the third quarter.

A bulked-up Tom Brown featured in defence for Richmond and looked good, while the club’s No.40 draft pick from last year – Kane McAuliffe – had a run through the midfield in the last quarter of the main match.

For Melbourne, father-son rookie Kynan Brown showed some great signs across half-forward and on a wing, finishing with two goals.

The club’s No.7 draft pick from last year, Caleb Windsor, also had a solid first outing and provided some good outside run through the middle.

EARLY INJURY

Rhyan Mansell finished the game in a moon boot. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Richmond pressure forward Rhyan Mansell will have scans on Monday after suffering a right ankle injury.

Mansell left the ground in the opening minutes of the match and was quickly taken into the rooms for assessment.

He later re-emerged wearing a moon boot.

There are fears the issue could be more serious than a rolled ankle, but scans will determine the severity of the injury.

Mansell played 17 senior matches last season.

MISSING IN ACTION

Both teams were missing at least a handful of players from their best 23s due to injuries and management.

The Tigers were without Dion Prestia (hamstring), Dustin Martin (managed), Tim Taranto (managed), Liam Baker (personal reason), Toby Nankervis (managed), Dylan Grimes (managed) and Tom Lynch (foot).

Melbourne’s Harrison Petty (toe), Shane McAdam (calf), Angus Brayshaw (illness), Tom McDonald (calf), Lachie Hunter (calf) and Charlie Spargo (Achilles) all missed the match simulation, while Clayton Oliver and Christian Salem took part in the final three quarters on the back of limited preparations.