Richmond draftee Riley Collier-Dawkins among eye-catchers at Tigers’ intra-club match

The big names did what they do best but there were also several other promising signs for Richmond during Saturday morning’s intra-club match at Punt Road. Chris Cavanagh watched the Tigers’ physical hitout. SEE VIDEO, PICS

Richmond gave a glimpse of just how it might structure up in the ruck this season in an intra-club hit out — and it doesn’t involve Shaun Grigg who is said to be “spewing”.

No.1 ruckman Toby Nankervis started forward in Saturday’s clash at Punt Rd Oval, with understudy Ivan Soldo playing on the same team and taking the first centre-bounce.

Nankervis sprayed an early set shot but kicked a goal later in the 90 minutes of match play, during which he and Soldo rotated between ruck duties and resting forward.

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Youngsters Noah Balta and Callum Coleman-Jones shared much of the ruck duties for the other team, along with 195cm defender David Astbury who was surprisingly pushed up into centre-bounce ruck duties at times.

The Tigers know that playing an undersized ruckman like Grigg is no longer a wise move under new AFL rules this season but are yet to settle on their set up.

However, assistant coach Justin Leppitsch said after the intra-club match that if they did play two ruckman it would be Nankervis and Soldo.

Rookie Sydney Stack takes a courageous mark. Pic: Getty Images

Dustin Martin chases the loose ball ahead of Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlaustin. Pic: Michael Klein

Riley Collier-Dawkins has impressed at the Tigers during summer. Pic: Michael Klein

YOUNG STARS

While positions in a team which made a preliminary final last year and were premiers in 2017 won’t be easy to come by, Richmond draftees Riley Collier-Dawkins and Jack Ross pushed their cases with impressive showings.

The pair played in the thick of the action in the midfield, at times manned up against superstars Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, and found plenty of the ball while also using it well.

Selected at pick 20 in last year’s draft, Collier-Dawkins particularly did not look out of place while the big-bodied Ross, selected at pick 43, improved as the match went on.

“I think those two young guys were really good in the contest, it’s just getting used to the pace of the game for young players and also playing an AFL system because they’re two completely different styles of footy what you do in junior footy and what you do in the men’s game,” Leppitsch said.

“They’re going to take a while to adjust to that but I think all-in-all their effort’s terrific and their ball winning ability’s terrific.”

Dusty flies high. Pic: Michael Klein

Dusty stays low. Pic: Michael Klein

SEASONED STARS

Captain Cotchin looked as sharp as ever in the intra-club hit out, while Martin oozed class as usual.

Veteran Bachar Houli also looked to have wound back the clock, providing plenty of drive off the half-back line along with Jayden Short.

Dropped for finals last year, Brandon Ellis also showed plenty in a new role further up the ground having spend much of his time in recent years in defence.

Ellis started on a wing, spent time onball and was flicked to half-back at times.

“Brandon’s been in the midfield all pre-season and been really good, whether it be inside, on the wing, we know that he can play half-back as well,” Leppitsch said.

“The way footy’s going those flexible players are going to be invaluable.”

Former Saint Maverick Weller also did some good things forward, including nice a goal from long-range.

‘We’ve been getting crucified all day ...’ Tigers coach Damien Hardwick chats with the umpires at three quarter time. Pic: Getty Images

Skipper Trent Cotchin spoils. Pic: Getty Images

STILL MISSING

Key recruit Tom Lynch only completed some light work before the intra-club match, before leaving the field.

He remains in the Tigers’ rehabilitation group as he continues from a knee injury which has sidelined him since last July and will not feature in the club’s JLT Community Series pre-season matches but remains in the mix for Round 1.

“His agility’s improved out of sight and his running,” Leppitsch said.

“He’s doing contested work now so we feel he’s going to be around about the Round 1 mark … but if it’s not Round 1, it will be Round 2 I’m sure.”

Grigg (knee) is also unlikely to play any pre-season matches and completed only light duties before the intra-club match along with Jason Castagna (ankle).

Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance and Jack Higgins all missed the hit out due to AFLX duties on Friday night.

Tom Lynch contests with teammate Ryan Garthwaite at training before the Tigers’ intra-club match. Pic: Getty Images

Intra-club done 😁✔️ #gotiges pic.twitter.com/Y1dAY0Tpj0

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) February 23, 2019

Originally published as Richmond draftee Riley Collier-Dawkins among eye-catchers at Tigers’ intra-club match