One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on November 20, 2024, 08:25:53 PM
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Welcome to Tigerland, Taj :)
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what's going on here now
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Balances out the first 2 picks well
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TAJ HOTTON
Position: Midfielder/medium forward
Size: 180cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Hampton Rovers
AFL player comparison: Shai Bolton
If he’d played a full season, the sense is Hotton would’ve been taken even earlier than this, for he was arguably the hottest player of the draft pool at the start of the season before rupturing his ACL at training in May. Athletic, agile and versatile, Hotton had significantly improved his endurance earlier in the year, which allowed him to spend more time on the ball. It led to some monster Talent League games for the Dragons – most notably against the Chargers where he kicked 4.1 from 32 disposals, 10 marks, five inside 50s and five tackles – while he also played a game for the AFL academy, booting two goals from 18 disposals against Coburg. Considering the Eagles parted with Pick 3 during the trade period, getting Hotton – a possible top-five talent with a full 2024 campaign – at this selection would be a great result.
(https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/015473390e312598a3cd1ba86a2afe4a?width=768)
Source: Foxsports (https://www.stuff-draft-2024-predictions-live-trades-bids-formguide-date-time/news-story/be023112f1bf1fcc17d4189df93fa5ab)
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The old slider due to major injury in his draft year. A tale as old as time…..
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The old slider due to major injury in his draft year. A tale as old as time…..
Kinda like Sonsie huh.
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Taj said he wasn't expecting to go this early.
Hopes to be back running in a week (asap).
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VIDEO:
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JLJ1i-L36L8/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLJ1i-L36L8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLJ1i-L36L8
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exciting prospect. Please dont start assigning whipping boys already
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Can play, huge ceiling. Rest is up for development and luck.
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Unlike the future Parkinson's candidate and potential lawsuit, this kid is worth the risk - top 5 talent. :clapping
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This kid looks like the x-factor player of the draft. Balanced, smooth mover, elusive, tackles, can jump and kick goals. Get him healthy and fit and I reckon he’ll be a cracker.
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Excited about this one.
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Highest ceiling in draft along with Tauru. Just comes down to development and some luck and we have an absolute star.
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Taj Hotton bound for the Swinburne Centre
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2024/11/20/60c0b7e9-cfca-49d5-928c-b50955b68d89/Pick-12_Taj-Hotton_Article-Image.png?width=1064&height=600)
Richmond has selected dynamic forward/midfielder Taj Hotton with its third selection, No. 12 overall at tonight’s Telstra AFL Draft.
Hotton made a blistering start to this season’s Coates Talent League playing for Sandringham Dragons where he averaged 29 disposals, including a 32 touch and four goal game against Oakleigh Chargers.
The outstanding form saw Hotton selected for the AFL Academy side, however an ACL injury in May meant he was unable to play for Vic Metro in the National Championships.
Hotton was a standout at fitness testing in March with his 2.88 second 20m sprint, 21.1 yoyo, 7.8 agility test and 93cm running vertical leap placing him in the elite category.
Richmond Victorian Talent Manager, Rhy Gieschen said that Hotton had shown a high level of potential at the beginning of this year, playing for Sandringham and Haileybury.
“Taj’s athleticism allows him to play through the midfield, but also to be a really dangerous prospect as a forward, who can beat his opponent in the air and at ground level,” he said.
“He is recovering from his injury and progressing really well.
“Taj has been super diligent in his rehab and recovery, so we expect to see him return to full health in the second half of the 2025 season.
“We welcome Taj and his family to Richmond.”
The 182cm goalkicker is the son of former Collingwood and Carlton player Trent Hotton and younger brother of Olli Hotton who was drafted to St Kilda in 2022.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1694849/taj-hotton-bound-for-the-swinburne-centre
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Taj the Tiger
Watch along as Richmond select Taj Hotton with Pick 12 in the 2024 AFL Draft.
VIDEO: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1695013/taj-the-tiger
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I know it's a risk taking a kid with a recent ACL but he looks seriously classy in his highlights.
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Agree Willy, Hotton’s Footy smarts stuff best
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Richmond told Taj Hotton they were going to draft him within 24 hours of his ACL tear back in May. 🥰
https://x.com/1116sen/status/1859752403920158951
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I know it's a risk taking a kid with a recent ACL but he looks seriously classy in his highlights.
If he can play he can play. Didn’t Robbie gray and petracca start their years with acl injuries?
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I know it's a risk taking a kid with a recent ACL but he looks seriously classy in his highlights.
If he can play he can play. Didn’t Robbie gray and petracca start their years with acl injuries?
Petracca missed his entire 1st year IIRC. Dunno about Gray though.
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Taj Hotton is targeting a return by June next year, but Richmond will take a cautious approach with the highly rated teenager out of the Sandringham Dragons.
Hotton ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a training session at Haileybury College in May and underwent surgery a month later, wiping out most of his draft year.
The 18-year-old underwent minor follow-up surgery in October and is set to start running again in the pre-Christmas training block.
New Richmond high performance boss Ben Serpell, who was appointed to replace Luke Meehan in October after working as a strength and conditioning coach at Geelong, following high performance roles with the Wallabies and the New South Wales Waratahs, is working on a rehab plan for Hotton at Punt Road.
"Taj is super keen, but we will take the full 12 months to rehab him," Serpell told AFL.com.au on Friday.
"We are still getting our heads around where he's at. He met with his surgeon midweek and we'll get the details from him and start to build a plan for that and hopefully have him out there relatively soon.
"We'll probably take the full 12 months and look after the kid. He's got a long career ahead of him."
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1699899/got-a-long-career-ahead-tigers-cautious-approach-to-gun-draftees-return
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Surely won't play AFL next year given the other kids/healthy ones.
Return to VFL mid-year and maybe late in the season if he's doing well.
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Hopefully no more rushing blokes back - kids or otherwise - now the Magician has departed. :shh
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Hopefully no more rushing blokes back - kids or otherwise - now the Magician has departed. :shh
Our new man Serpell has already said we're going to be very conservative with his rehab....
No need for Taj or any other playercto be rushed backed ;D
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Remember Cotch’s first year? He had that achilles issue and they wrapped him up in cotton wool. Back the player, back the strength and conditioning team
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id be focused on gibcus not hotten for 24. Its time for the s&c team and him to deliver.
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Remember Cotch’s first year? He had that achilles issue and they wrapped him up in cotton wool. Back the player, back the strength and conditioning team
:clapping :clapping
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Every journey has its hurdles.
📹 Learn more about Taj Hotton's road to the draft in the first episode of Richmond’s pre-season series ‘Forging Forward’:
VIDEO: https://x.com/Richmond_FC/status/1868054106696552632
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How They're Travelling: Taj Hotton
RFC website
4 Feb 2025
Q: What is your mindset with the rehab?
I am sort of taking it step by step. I am not really too fussed about when I get back.
I just want to do it right. So, I will just listen to all the doctors and physios at the Club, because I know I am in really good hands, and it'd be stupid to waste such a good opportunity like this.
So, yeah, I am just listening to the people that tell me what to do and I know I will get there eventually.
Q: Have you had many chats with the coaches about what roles you might be playing this year, or has your focus just been on getting yourself right for now?
I have not had too many chats about what position. But I am training with the forwards at the moment, so listening into all of their meetings.
I think that obviously I will come through the VFL and sort of get to know the game plan a little bit more and get a feel of actually playing footy again, because it has been a little while.
We will just sort of see what happens and maybe I get a run in the midfield a bit later on. But as I said I am not really too focused on that at the moment. I just want to get my body right and get back out there.
Q: For the Richmond fans that might not have seen you play… Is that how you see yourself, as someone who is both a midfielder and a forward?
I think throughout my time playing I have always seen myself as a midfielder. It is only in the last couple of years I have sort of developed my game into a forward as well.
It is good to have multiple strings to my bows and the skills to become a player that can go wherever.
But to be honest, yeah, I see myself long-term as a midfielder, but I am grateful that I learned how to play forward so that I can fill a gap wherever the team needs me.
Q: You seemed to hit the scoreboard a lot when you played forward last year?
Yeah, and I think I can hit the scoreboard from the midfield as well, which is handy to have, but as I said, happy to play wherever the team needs me.
Q: Are you working closely with Chris Newman then?
Yeah, him and Sam Lonergan. As forward coaches they have been unreal. ‘Newy’ is a great bloke himself. He is nice and relaxed and that is sort of the type of coach that I like playing under.
It has been good to learn off him and sort of pick his brain about forward structures and all that. I am really getting my head around it now.
Q: Are there any players that you have leaned on as well in the same sort of way?
Rhyan Mansell and Seth Campbell. The small forwards have sort of taken me under their wing and I feel comfortable to ask them any questions if I don't understand anything. They are always really good at explaining and it has been really welcoming.
Seth had me over for dinner the other night and I met his girlfriend and saw his place. I am really lucky that I have got a good bunch of boys that I can go to work with every day.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1712027/how-theyre-travelling-taj-hotton
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Im really excited to see this kid play. Out of all our draftees he definitely has the most X factor. I can see the comparisons to Bolton, but hopefully comes without the arrogance and with better discipline
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And the consistency Simo…
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From what I've heard this kid has sublime skills and X-factor compared to Shai Bolton.
Apparently he did his ACL last year, so will he be any chance for AFL/VFlL games this year? Or are they keep him under wraps and unleash him in 2026?
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From what I've heard this kid has sublime skills and X-factor compared to Shai Bolton.
Apparently he did his ACL last year, so will he be any chance for AFL/VFlL games this year? Or are they keep him under wraps and unleash him in 2026?
After mid season or the last 4-6 rounds I reckon he's a chance.
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From what I've heard this kid has sublime skills and X-factor compared to Shai Bolton.
Apparently he did his ACL last year, so will he be any chance for AFL/VFlL games this year? Or are they keep him under wraps and unleash him in 2026?
He’s going to be better than Shai
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From what I've heard this kid has sublime skills and X-factor compared to Shai Bolton.
Apparently he did his ACL last year, so will he be any chance for AFL/VFlL games this year? Or are they keep him under wraps and unleash him in 2026?
He’s going to be better than Shai
Big call
Can only hope
Shai was and is a bloody good player
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Have a mate who coaches APS.
They all had this kid ahead of Jagga and Lalor before he did his knee.
It’s all ahead of him. Kid is a sublime talent
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From what I've heard this kid has sublime skills and X-factor compared to Shai Bolton.
Apparently he did his ACL last year, so will he be any chance for AFL/VFlL games this year? Or are they keep him under wraps and unleash him in 2026?
He did his knee in May last year. Won't see him before the 12 month anniversary at the earliest.
Will come back via the VFL and it will be gradual. Reckon Andyy is spont on AFL a possibility last month of the season
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This year is completely irrelevant
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This year is completely irrelevant
Agree but would be nice if he gets an opportunity
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Get well soon - like really soon. :help
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Is Taj quick? I know he’s silky but we desperately need pace in the midfield.
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Is Taj quick? I know he’s silky but we desperately need pace in the midfield.
Yes. :shh
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This will be the Christmas present we’ll all be very pleasantly surprised to receive
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Is Taj quick? I know he’s silky but we desperately need pace in the midfield.
Yes. :shh
Hallelujah.
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Taj is set to play post-bye.
:cheers :thumbsup
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Taj is set to play post-bye.
:cheers :thumbsup
Great.
Can the Serpell baggers let us know if it's too soon or should we add another 3-6 months?
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One thing is certain: - if you don't play you can't injure yourself!
The other certainty is that footballers want to play football! Plus, their rehab really isn't over until they take to the field & play.
So I expect ACL sufferers to want to play when they can, Taj is just like the many others. There is only one way to find out if they are ready. Due diligence says 12 months off from football (which Taj has done) but nobody can really know until they play.
Its time to find out, good luck Taj ...
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Hope his body can hold up. Super excited to see him play
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Awesome, hopefully him and Smillie are in the AFL side sooner rather than later.
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Taj is set to play post-bye.
:cheers :thumbsup
Great.
Can the Serpell baggers let us know if it's too soon or should we add another 3-6 months?
Wait until he redoes his knee!!!
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What is with club injury lists and time frames. a few weeks ago he was still 5 to 8 or some such thing.
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Hotton at training today before he plays his first game in the VFL on Sunday.
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/06/16/fb5fed61-a187-47d4-a49e-6016f22a8a5e/Taj-Hotton-AFL-Training-June-16_.jpg?width=2100)
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/06/16/2d4ca71a-8f41-486b-95eb-a4e5e7bdf123/Taj-Hotton-AFL-Training-June-16_-2.jpg?width=2100)
https://x.com/Richmond_FC/status/1934546239921741905
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Looks to have used his rehab time well to put on size, looks really fit.
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Hotton at training today before he plays his first game in the VFL on Sunday.
Ahh, yes the 11am VFL curtain raiser at Marvel that currently we cannot go and watch because the gates at Marvel don't open until 1.45pm :banghead
But anyways...good luck Taj. :clapping
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“Same traits as Shai”: Richmond draftee anticipated to make waves in footballing return
Callum Farquhar
zerohanger.com
19 June 2025
Richmond coach Adem Yze has lauded the talents of draftee Taj Hotton, who is set to make his footballing return after recovering from an ACL injury suffered pre-draft.
Hotton was one of the most highly-touted prospects heading into the 2024 draft, but his season-ending injury saw him fall to Pick 12, taken with the Tigers' third pick in their mega draft haul.
Now the teenage talent will be unveiled in the VFL for the first time this weekend, playing in Richmond's reserves curtain-raiser against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
"Taj is going to play some footy this weekend, which is awesome for him and the footy club, and it's exciting," Yze said on Thursday.
"He's gonna play three quarters, so he'll just start integrating into playing, which is great.
Yze didn't douse any flames of expectation for the Sandringham Dragons product, comparing Hotton to a livewire former Tiger ahead of his debut in yellow and black uniform.
"He's obviously a talented forward that can play midfield. You don't want to liken him to anyone but he's got the same traits as Shai (Bolton), he can mark, he can jump, he can be so silky, but he's just a great teammate," Yze said.
"He works so hard, he wants to play midfield so he'll get some of that exposure this weekend, but we've got to temper that with the fact that he's been out for 12 months and we just want to get him enjoying playing footy again.
"We're not going to rush him into anything. It's exciting for our footy club, and he's obviously a highly talented kid.
"He felt like he was ready a couple of weeks ago... we held him back, and we can't wait to see him put the jumper on for the first time."
Yze said the Hotton news was exciting and one to be grateful for.
https://www.zerohanger.com/same-traits-as-shai-richmond-draftee-anticipated-to-make-waves-in-footballing-return-164080/
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Hotton's first game in the VFL. Played at HF. I'm guessing played about a half of footy (?) after coming on at quarter time. What stood out was his clean hands.
13 disposals (7k, 6h, 3c, 9u, 76.9% eff.)
3 marks
2 tackles
5 inside 50s
2 intercepts
1 goal assist (at least).
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Yep played a half over 3 qtrs
Did go in for a couple centre ball ups
Just has massive footy smarts and so clean. Got a gem in this kid
But please don't rush him. To valuable to rushed straight in
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Yep played a half over 3 qtrs
Did go in for a couple centre ball ups
Just has massive footy smarts and so clean. Got a gem in this kid
But please don't rush him. To valuable to rushed straight in
Just wait for the calls for him to be in next week
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Yep played a half over 3 qtrs
Did go in for a couple centre ball ups
Just has massive footy smarts and so clean. Got a gem in this kid
But please don't rush him. To valuable to rushed straight in
Just wait for the calls for him to be in next week
Fortunately, Yze in his post match presser said he's not ready for AFL
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3 weeks
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Riding Star next year odds on
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Riding Star next year odds on
He's leaving to become a jockey? Bit tall I would've thought. :shh
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Hotton hits the ground running
By Henry Milic
RFC website
23 June 2025
Richmond young gun, Taj Hotton, took to the field on Sunday for the first time in more than 12 months after recovering from an ACL injury sustained last year.
Hotton was selected as the number 12 pick in the 2024 draft by the Tigers and has since been working hard in rehab to get himself back to playing, a task he accomplished on Sunday as he played for Richmond's VFL side against Footscray.
Known for his silky skills with the ball, Hotton got off to a strong start to his career in the yellow and black, recording 14 disposals and two tackles in less than three-quarters of football.
Unfortunately, Hotton's return to play was spoiled by an in-form Bulldogs outfit, who defeated the Tigers by 45 points.
Richmond's VFL coach, Jake Batchelor, said Hotton showed off his versatility in his first outing.
“He is a great talent,” Batchelor said.
“Started him at quarter-time and he showed his strengths straight away.
“He is cat-like, he is in the air, he is on the ground, he is clean, he is evasive, and he has really good vision with his hands.”
Hotton made an instant impact, taking a strong leaping mark before linking up with Mykelti Lefau, who finished off the passage of play with a goal.
Batchelor added that he was impressed with Hotton's performance, considering he has been sidelined for the last year.
“The fact that he got through after 12/13 months off and played three-quarters of football, almost, was so pleasing for us,” Batchelor said.
“I hope that the Tiger fans got a great glimpse into what Taj is going to be like going forward into the future.”
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1812525/hotton-hits-the-ground-running
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High Performance Manager Ben Serpell was pleased with the return of first-year player, Taj Hotton, who made a successful VFL debut after returning from an ACL.
“He went really well,” Serpell said.
“From a football perspective, they were happy with him and from a physical perspective, he pulled up really well, and we will look to increase his game time this week.”
Source: RFC website (https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1813197/injury-report-round-16-2025).
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Need him in the 1s asap.
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Need him in the 1s asap.
weeks away you'd think
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Need him in the 1s asap.
weeks away you'd think
Would need to play at least 2 full VFL games you'd think
Last week he played a half over 3qtrs
Expect that to increase this week to match minutes equivalent to 3qtrs over 4 qtrs
I reckon we will season him end of July
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Need him in the 1s asap.
weeks away you'd think
Would need to play at least 2 full VFL games you'd think
Last week he played a half over 3qtrs
Expect that to increase this week to match minutes equivalent to 3qtrs over 4 qtrs
I reckon we will season him end of July
Like button
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Richmond will give Taj Hotton one more week at VFL level before his senior debut. Sorely tempted to play him given VFL brilliance but will stick to the plan.
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I think the club would like to [play Hotton in the seniors next week] as well. Played a half then three quarters. So will get a full VFL game under his belt before he gets his senior debut. They will stick to the plan
https://x.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1939187811892240562
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Richmond will give Taj Hotton one more week at VFL level before his senior debut. Sorely tempted to play him given VFL brilliance but will stick to the plan.
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I think the club would like to [play Hotton in the seniors next week] as well. Played a half then three quarters. So will get a full VFL game under his belt before he gets his senior debut. They will stick to the plan
https://x.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1939187811892240562
Just don’t play him as the sub
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Taj Hotton will be unleashed on full minutes
The Tigers will also look to “unleash” untried draftee Taj Hotton, who has built steadily from ACL recovery in recent weeks.
“It’s a bit about everything, really, we’ve got to make sure he’s (Hotton) ready to play AFL footy and not just play, he’s got to perform and be ready to perform,” Yze said.
“Last week was his first full game, it was still managed minutes or managed rotations, so he’s played 80 per cent game time at VFL.
“This week we’ll let him go, we’ll unleash him, he gets to play as much game time as he can.
“Then it’s around recovery and how he pulls up, we’ve got eight games to go and we’ve got make sure when he comes in we want him to stay in.
“We’ve got to make sure he’s pulling up OK, give him the best chance – he’s obviously a highly talented guy but we’ve got to set him up the right way.”
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2025-richmond-defender-josh-gibcus-will-return-while-another-tiger-will-be-unleashed-on-full-minutes/news-story/d1fd11c59884e5eff5d284211933f9fa
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Play well, get through unscathed and we’ll see you at the G next week young fella.
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Play well, get through unscathed and we’ll see you at the G next week young fella.
🙏🙏
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Very excited to watch Taj and Gibcus. Taj seems a lock to debut next week. Hopdfully Gibcus can get himself into the ones too
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First-round pick set to be Richmond’s ninth debutant
By Andrew Slevison
SEN
7 July 2025
Richmond is likely to blood a ninth 2025 debutant next weekend.
The Tigers have already had eight first-gamers this season which should increase against Essendon at the MCG next Saturday night. :laugh:
Pick 12 from last year, Taj Hotton, has three VFL games under his belt after recovering from an ACL injury and is now ready to make his AFL debut, says AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich.
With no.1 draft pick Sam Lalor expected to miss the rest of the season with a significant hamstring injury, and with suggestions Jasper Alger has hurt his syndesmosis, another fresh face will make his way in as replacement.
“The good news for Richmond is I think we’ll see a debutant this Saturday night,” Gabelich said on SEN’s Fireball.
“A first-round pick from last November, Taj Hotton.
“They’ve been really conservative with Taj Hotton. He’s had three games back at VFL level. They really did resist the urge last weekend to play him.
“I think he’s going to come in and make his debut in Nick Vlastuin’s 250th against Essendon on Saturday night.”
Hotton had 24 disposals, eight tackles and kicked a goal in Sunday’s come-from-behind win over Geelong in the VFL.
The son of former Carlton and Collingwood player Trent has averaged 21 touches across his trio of state league appearances.
The talented Sandringham Dragons product had been touted as a top five draft pick last season before he injured his ACL, but the Tigers saw enough in him to take him in the first round.
Richmond’s eight debutant in 2025 are: Sam Lalor (Round 1), Harry Armstrong (Round 1), Luke Trainor (Round 1), Liam Fawcett (Round 2), Jonty Faull (Round 5), Campbell Gray (Round 7), Thomas Sims (Round 9), Jasper Alger (Round 15).
Only the Bombers, their Round 18 opponents, have had more first-gamers in season 2025 with 11.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/07/07/stuff-set-to-be-richmonds-ninth-debutant
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Must play this week.
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Probably be held back another week knowing the medicos
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He will be in and is just about all we have to watch
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They will probably play him as ruck
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I'm an enormous fan of Taj, had him close to pick 1 pre knee injury.
I personally would play him all year in VFL playing 2-3 qtrs of footy. Medicos have spooked me, give him a full pre-season first. Unless the play him as s stupid sub, maybe but I just would ease him through the season with a plan to hit pre season running.
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Not playing him because we are scared what might happen is classically where we are at as a club.
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Hotton in ! Super excited, please don’t make him sub
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https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1825061/hotton-earns-afl-debut
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Something to look forward to :cheers
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The fans need this!
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Imagine if he's the sub
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Really hope he has a fantastic game.. it would really lift the club.
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Imagine if he's the sub
I have a trailer of chicken excrement ready
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Can't wait to see this kid develop
:shh
After wasting his families time he'll maybe get a few red time minutes in the last quarter to run around once he's subbed in. :shh
Then Yze can let him along with everyone else, get away with not chasing, not tackling, not working hard off the ball and being another witches hat for equally young opposition players to gain confidence in their own game and team. :shh :shh
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Surprising the Hotton family
(https://i.ytimg.com/an_webp/DRyy7g4GAoo/mqdefault_6s.webp?du=3000&sqp=CMasvsMG&rs=AOn4CLB_AIU-mZmqeq-kW_XsY0qogns9Ng) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRyy7g4GAoo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRyy7g4GAoo
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Ah one of Clawski's kids to debut. Go get em son please avoid the curse and just stay healthy.
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Did you just speak in the 3rd person?
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Did you just speak in the 3rd person?
:lol
He should start posting on PRE #clawskidays :shh
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So funny , I’m sure we will all claim Hotton as our own if he he goes ok :clapping
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He was never on my radar watching the draft because of his injury.
Was surprised by the pick, but intrigued so watched some footage read up on him etc and thought he could be another Bolton best case scenario. Watching his vfl games he has much more potential than that. I think he has no ceiling, has so many attributes that often aren’t combined. Evasiveness, great skills, marking and leap, IQ, vision, ability to hit scoreboard, physical (8 tackles on the weekend) as far as I can see his only weakness is his size and even then he looks to have bulked up quite a bit just in this year alone.
Super bullish on Hotton
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Tigers excited to unleash 'special talent' for AFL debut
By AAP
11 July 2025
RICHMOND coach Adem Yze has high hopes for "special talent" Taj Hotton as the first-round draft pick prepares to make his AFL debut.
After overcoming an ACL rupture suffered last year before he arrived at Punt Rd, the 18-year-old will begin his career at the MCG on Saturday night when the rebuilding Tigers face injury-hit Essendon.
Yze joined Hotton to surprise his family at their home to let them know he would finally make the step up to AFL.
Hotton is the son of former Carlton and Collingwood player Trent, who played 78 games between 1994 and 2002.
He collected 25 touches and kicked a goal against the Northern Bullants in the VFL last week
"He's just a pure forward, so we can play him at either line," Yze told reporters of Hotton on Friday.
"He can go deep, he can play a high-forward role.
"Then he has pinch hit in the midfield in the VFL the last couple of weeks, so we might see him around the ball late in the game as well.
"He's a special talent, when you've got the ability to jump and mark like he does and then at ground level do things, it's really hard to coach.
"It's the reason he went so high in the draft and the reason we rated him so highly going into the draft."
Hotton was one of six players Richmond secured in the first round of last year's draft in an attempt to supercharge its rebuild following the premiership era under Damien Hardwick between 2017 and 2020.
"Then there's his work ethic, to get where he (Hotton) is today to be ready to play at AFL level after three VFL games is a credit to him," Yze said.
"The spotlight is going to be on him like it was on (No.1 draft pick) Sammy (Lalor) earlier in the year and like it has been for all our first-round picks."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1361434/richmond-tigers-excited-to-unleash-special-talent-taj-hotton-for-afl-debut
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Have great expectations for this kid.
I'm expecting to see a great career at the RFC.
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Hotton's stats in his debut game
10 disposals (6k, 4h, 6c, 5u, 50% eff.)
3 marks
3 tackles
1 clearance
3 inside 50s
218m gained
3 intercepts
3 score involvements
1 goal
56% gametime
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56% game time… pretty good effort from the kid.
Hope he can roll through the middle a bit in a few weeks
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Great stuff from Taj.
How should he be managed?
Play every game?
Limited time?
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Great stuff from Taj.
How should he be managed?
Play every game?
Limited time?
Personally, I've got no doubt he will play the remainder of the season on managed minutes for probably next week, then it's away we go
Think we saw enough to know we've got a really good one in young Taj
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reckon i did pretty well this draft not that it was hard to do. the draft was loaded with talent and deep.
on the day i went.
Was a big wrap for Lalor and Draper at pick 1.Have always favored bigger bodied mids though but Draper sure was tempting from a list need perspective. Super quick mid both off the mark and top end, and a real ability to just float from inside a contest to outside it. Ideal type to play alongside the slower Hopper and Taranto.But always have been a sucker for the bigger bodied mids over smaller ones.
Smillie i had us taking well before the draft at pick 1 so did a lot of others. Yep he slid but he was a monty at 7 imo and thats where i had him.
Even went as far to call him a possible generational player at one stage bit over the top but hey even im allowed to get excited now and again.
One i considered here was Travaglia to offset the loss of Rioli. But there was two kids i thought we could take later in the draft that would give us a good h/b wing option in Clarke and Harrison Oliver who i really liked and was filthy GWS nabbed him at 19 just two picks in front of our pick 21.
Had allen or Reid at 12 and Hotton at 14. Had stated several times that i thought Hotton would be a good Bolton replacement a better mid though. Allen was a big quick sort of hybrid a h/b/mid again meeting list short falls in both roles and Reid another smart mid.
As it was we took Hotton at 12 so was pleased. We used 14 on Faull and of course Allen and Reid were gone by our next pick. One i liked here from a list point of view having taken three mids already was Lindsay we still need classy outside running players and he was an ideal long term wing solution.he went at 11 one pick before ours.
We actually bid on Kako at 13 so we were obviously prepared to forgo Faull here knowing there would be an abundance of talls from pick 20 onwards.
We took Trainor at 21 i wanted Armstrong here the need was for kpf more than anything. Again i posted wanting Armstrong top 10 in the draft at one stage but i became a strong advocate of waiting until around pick 20 to start grabbing talls because every man and his dog knew that was where they were going to be taken.
Will say i had no problem with us taking Trainor as i thought he was the best tall defender in the draft i just did not think we had a big need for anymore tall defenders prefering to load up with Forwards from here.He was also touted a top 10 pick and would not be out of place if taken there it shows just how strong and even this draft was.
Clearly i wanted Armstrong at 23 and to round it out i Prefered Shanahan at our last pick at pick 28.
I will also say i was a big advocate of useing more picks in this draft and cutting harder into the list.
As it was we traded back in to the draft when Algar was still there so late and there were kids there i really liked Boxshall Clarke, Davis to name a few who went after we bailed out at 28.
On Trainor the reason i Did not consider him because i felt we had plenty of kpds although i rated him a better defender than Tarau who was a bit of a bolter. I had Armstrong at 9 at one stage but was certain most of the talls would get to pick 20. I think everyone knew the talls would last to around this point.
There ya go laugh if ya want its what you expect from petty people around here. i don't give a stuff.
It was a deep draft full of talented players and just about anyone with half a brain was going to get a lot of picks right.
I don't think a lot of people had Hotton going as early as he did but i had him at 14 so stupidly claimed him as one of my picks some people are petty and pathetic in here.
A lot of little idiot syndrome goes on around here.
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A lot of little idiot syndrome goes on around here.
Lot of narcissism as well
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What’s about delusional self admiration and over indulgent bath water drinking. Is there any of that going on around here ?
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Stick to the topic without the petty personal snipes :banghead
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reckon i did pretty well this draft not that it was hard to do. the draft was loaded with talent and deep.
on the day i went.
Was a big wrap for Lalor and Draper at pick 1.Have always favored bigger bodied mids though but Draper sure was tempting from a list need perspective. Super quick mid both off the mark and top end, and a real ability to just float from inside a contest to outside it. Ideal type to play alongside the slower Hopper and Taranto.But always have been a sucker for the bigger bodied mids over smaller ones.
Smillie i had us taking well before the draft at pick 1 so did a lot of others. Yep he slid but he was a monty at 7 imo and thats where i had him.
Even went as far to call him a possible generational player at one stage bit over the top but hey even im allowed to get excited now and again.
One i considered here was Travaglia to offset the loss of Rioli. But there was two kids i thought we could take later in the draft that would give us a good h/b wing option in Clarke and Harrison Oliver who i really liked and was filthy GWS nabbed him at 19 just two picks in front of our pick 21.
Had allen or Reid at 12 and Hotton at 14. Had stated several times that i thought Hotton would be a good Bolton replacement a better mid though. Allen was a big quick sort of hybrid a h/b/mid again meeting list short falls in both roles and Reid another smart mid.
As it was we took Hotton at 12 so was pleased. We used 14 on Faull and of course Allen and Reid were gone by our next pick. One i liked here from a list point of view having taken three mids already was Lindsay we still need classy outside running players and he was an ideal long term wing solution.he went at 11 one pick before ours.
We actually bid on Kako at 13 so we were obviously prepared to forgo Faull here knowing there would be an abundance of talls from pick 20 onwards.
We took Trainor at 21 i wanted Armstrong here the need was for kpf more than anything. Again i posted wanting Armstrong top 10 in the draft at one stage but i became a strong advocate of waiting until around pick 20 to start grabbing talls because every man and his dog knew that was where they were going to be taken.
Will say i had no problem with us taking Trainor as i thought he was the best tall defender in the draft i just did not think we had a big need for anymore tall defenders prefering to load up with Forwards from here.He was also touted a top 10 pick and would not be out of place if taken there it shows just how strong and even this draft was.
Clearly i wanted Armstrong at 23 and to round it out i Prefered Shanahan at our last pick at pick 28.
I will also say i was a big advocate of useing more picks in this draft and cutting harder into the list.
As it was we traded back in to the draft when Algar was still there so late and there were kids there i really liked Boxshall Clarke, Davis to name a few who went after we bailed out at 28.
On Trainor the reason i Did not consider him because i felt we had plenty of kpds although i rated him a better defender than Tarau who was a bit of a bolter. I had Armstrong at 9 at one stage but was certain most of the talls would get to pick 20. I think everyone knew the talls would last to around this point.
There ya go laugh if ya want its what you expect from petty people around here. i don't give a stuff.
It was a deep draft full of talented players and just about anyone with half a brain was going to get a lot of picks right.
I don't think a lot of people had Hotton going as early as he did but i had him at 14 so stupidly claimed him as one of my picks some people are petty and pathetic in here.
A lot of little idiot syndrome goes on around here.
We butchered the draft not taking Tauru and Reid.
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Tigers’ burning question: Have the Tigers landed a massive draft steal?
It’s only a one-game sample size, but the Tigers look to have struck gold with Taj Hotton, who was a shining light in the Tigers’ gritty win over Essendon last weekend. Hotton had an eye-catching, explosive start to his draft year to surge into top-five calculations before suffering a season-ending ACL rupture. It saw Hotton slide to Pick 12 in last year’s draft, with the Tigers pouncing on the Sandringham Dragons product ahead of West Coast, which had been heavily linked to him, as well as Port Adelaide and Fremantle. Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack on Sunday night, Leigh Montagna cheekily said Hotton was “the only positive thing to come out of this game (against Essendon)”, impressing with his attack on the ball, defensive efforts and clever knock-ons to advantage. Montagna told First Crack: “This kid showed enough that he is going to be a star. He’s got Shai Bolton-like attributes with his ability and creativity … He’s going to be an absolute beauty and Tigers fans are going to love him.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-the-blowtorch-round-19-preview-every-clubs-burning-questions-analysis-stats-how-to-watch-on-fox-footy-commentators-latest-news/news-story/56538cd114dd65d18caf9db7e96335e3
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He showed glimpses for sure but what a crap article.
He went at pick 12 and has played 1 game. If he turns into a gun player I doubt you can really call him a steal at P12, or he could do a Dean Polo and have his best ever game on debut.
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or he could do a Dean Polo and have his best ever game on debut.
Absolute garbage
Will be a gun
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or he could do a Dean Polo and have his best ever game on debut.
Absolute garbage
Will be a gun
Sigh.
I'm not saying he will.
I'm saying the article is nonsense.
Half a dozen touches in a debut and some genius is writing an article about a massive draft steal with a pick 12.
I was at the game, was very happy, but just let the poor kid find his own way without the hyperbole.
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Call me a lovestruck teenager but I agree with both the hyper and the bole on this one
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Call me a lovestruck teenager but I agree with both the hyper and the bole on this one
I’ve got no problem with the article on top of that
Half it was quoting Montagna and apart from that saying we have a gem and that he slid in the draft due to the knee injury
Barring further injury it’s all correct
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Time will time.
I was impressed and am optimistic.
Just don't want the weight of the world on a kid's shoulders after 1 game post-ACL.
But it definitely seems he's got it between the ears which is more than half the formula.