It was a week for the debutants at the Richmond Football Club at both AFL and VFL level with national draftee Judson Clarke, AFL Mid-Season rookie draftee Jacob Bauer, and Category B Rookie Mate Colima all making debuts.
In front of 21,757 people at the MCG, Richmond unleashed talented small forward Judson Clarke on Thursday night footy against Port Adelaide and he did not disappoint. After strong form in the VFL, Clarke had plenty to celebrate in the opening quarter after he became just the 31st footballer to kick two goals with his first two kicks in V/AFL history.
The game ebbed and flowed throughout the course of the night and Port threatened late to steal the win but the Tigers were able to hold on for a 12-point victory, 11.11.77 to 10.5.65.
Round 12 proved tough for Richmond's VFL team, going down to Werribee by 37 points. Werribee put in a strong performance against a team which featured 19 AFL-listed players to win comprehensively, 13.13.91 to 8.6.54. A positive out of the night was the performance of mid-season draftee Jacob Bauer, who impressed in his first game.
Coming into the match with strong form for North Adelaide in the SANFL, where he kicked 16 goals in six games, Bauer showed what he is capable of, despite limited training sessions with his new teammates.
Although he did not win a lot of the ball (seven disposals), it was his attack on the football in the air where he made an impact, especially in one-on-one contests, taking five marks.
Although Bauer did not win a lot of the ball, it was his attack on the football in the air where he made an impact, taking five marks.
Although quiet on the scoreboard for the first three quarters, the 20-year-old was rewarded for his efforts and persistence throughout the game, kicking three goals in the final quarter to help the Tigers add some respectability.
Another player who made his VFL debut last Wednesday night was Mate Colina, the cousin of 2020 Richmond premiership player Noah Balta. Although Colina had a quiet outing with two disposals and six hitouts, he split his time in the ruck and up forward with Samson Ryan and assisted Maurice Rioli Jr for the Tigers opening goal.
FIXTURES ANNOUNCED
The AFL has released the fixture list for rounds 15-18 of the 2022 Smithy's VFL season.
Richmond will host Collingwood at the Swinburne Centre on July 3, with the opening bounce scheduled for 11.05am, thereby allowing Tiger fans to make their way to the MCG for the AFL clash against West Coast.
Round 16 will see the Tigers have a bye before they take on North Melbourne at Arden St a week later. Round 18 will see Richmond return to the Swinburne Centre for a Saturday afternoon clash against standalone club Williamstown on July 23.
VAFA ON HOLD
There was no footy in the VAFA over the Queens Birthday weekend as the majority of the local football competitions took the long weekend off - but it will be back this week.
In Division One, the Kew Football Club - which is sitting a game clear in first place - will look to continue its winning ways in Round 10 against a struggling St Mary Salesian outfit, which has just the one win this season. In the William Bucks Premier Women's division, Kew faces up to Marcellin, as it looks to hold onto the top spot.
In Division Three, the Richmond Centrals Football Club will take on North Brunswick in a bid to kickstart the second half of the season. Currently the Centrals are one game outside the top four in sixth place, albeit with a massive percentage differential as well.
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