AFL Round 4 Richmond v Brisbane: Josh Barnes on what Adem Yze really learnt in Lions loss

Again, there was plenty to like for Richmond fans on Saturday – but there are also more concerns for Adem Yze, as he starts to learn more about who will actually see the rebuild out.

If this year started for Richmond as being all about its famous draft haul, it may finish really being about the other young Tigers Adem Yze can find who are in or out of this rebuild.

By August, a bunch of players under 25 will need to have proven themselves, because it is that group who have been at the club a number of years that are getting their chance now to stake a claim.

Thousands of words have been written about Richmond’s 2024 draft class and thousands more are to come, but as good as that class may end up being, it will need plenty of support from the other young Tigers on the list.

The backflip may be behind Tasmanian Seth Campbell but so far he has been Richmond’s best forward of 2025, having now kicked multiple goals in every game to start the year.

He is never going to rack up massive numbers but he is a creator that the Tigers are searching for and good things happen when he gets the footy.

Seth Campbell celebrates a goal against the Lions. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

Campbell’s ability to raise his foot speed like Gout Gout taking off and burst away from two Lions early in the third term and set up what should have been a goal for Harry Armstrong wowed Jason Dunstall.

“He is proving to be a really good prospect for the Tigers,” Dunstall told Fox Footy.

At one point the Lions threatened to blow the game open and make it as uncomfortable to watch as any scene involving brothers on The White Lotus, but Campbell’s creativity was one reason the Tigers stuck fat with the reigning premier.

Playing forward for a losing side is tough but Steely Green at least worked his way into the game against the Lions and bagged a couple of goals.

Like a few other Tigers, Tyler Sonsie kept on keeping on and at least found some of the ball late after a quiet first three quarters.

Injuries appear behind Jack Ross now, who may not have been at his most prolific against the Lions but he has found himself in a mid-forward role.

Yze himself apologised for throwing Jacob Blight around last week against St Kilda and again the young tall was played seemingly across every line against Brisbane but the bouncy tall is a goer.

Tom Brown, too, seems locked in at half-back for years to come.

Steely Green celebrates with Jacob Blight. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

What will concern Yze, though, is, while he has some bright spots, there are few young players that have shown enough substance.

An unfair comparison of apples and oranges in many respects, but the Tigers don’t have a player anywhere near the same level of Lions Will Ashcroft or Jaspa Fletcher, despite having so many in the same age bracket.

James Tresize and Sam Banks showed some signs as a rebounder and winger but Kaleb Smith was worked over at times and ended his afternoon with just 11 disposals.

Thomson Dow, too, has often shown signs but from his 21 disposals he only gained 172 metres.

That’s not enough for a modern midfielder, even if he projects as more of a feed-out player than a ball carrier.

Yze has collected some ticks from young Tigers so far this year but there remain plenty of question marks.

YZE PROUD BUT AT THE SAME TIME FRUSTRATED

– Tyler Lewis

Richmond coach Adem Yze said there were “mixed emotions” towards his side’s 28-point loss to reigning premier Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday.

The Tigers fought out every quarter to lead the Lions 34 to 6 in the match’s overall red-time score but were beaten heavily in important areas across the ground.

One of those areas was the inside 50 battle which Brisbane won 60 to 40.

After three weeks of Richmond only producing a half of football, Yze was pleased with its fight but “frustrated” by its enormous territory loss.

“We put a lot of work into our mental mastery and staying really engaged in a game, if you look across the competition the momentum swings in a game are just getting bigger and bigger,” he said.

“With a young group we’re learning and growing in that area and at times it could be positive momentum.

“A part of that as coach is proud of that effort but at the same time frustration, it’s mixed emotions in the coaches’ box and in the rooms.

“We are proud of our fight, we didn’t give up and our spirit, that can’t waiver, but at the same time there’s frustration on allowing easy scores, nine goals from stoppage, we couldn’t get it out of our back end, dominated on territory.

“There’s things within our game that just weren’t good enough, so it’s mixed emotions really.”

Top picks Sam Lalor and Luke Trainor played promising games while second-year small forward Seth Campbell kicked multiple goals for the fourth straight week.

Yze said he “couldn’t unsee” Campbell’s effort, who was an example of the jump up to AFL level in his first season last year.

“Going back through time it caught up on him, he needed a week off because he hadn’t played 18 games in a row before,” Yze said.

“He was still learning the caper, took a massive step forward and then this year he’s taken another step forward.

“He looks like a quality small forward – potent, hard to play on, clever and he’s hitting the scoreboard – but it’s his pressure.

“Today I couldn’t unsee him getting up the ground, filling the corridor, spoiling – I don’t think he’s ever had a spoil in his life – but he’s starting to value all of those aspects in his game.”

Originally published as AFL Round 4 Richmond v Brisbane: Josh Barnes on what Adem Yze really learnt in Lions loss