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91

Richmond Rant / Re: 2026 AFL Draft

« Last post by one-eyed on December 06, 2025, 05:54:32 PM »

2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Rucks to run rampant

Michael Alvaro
Central.RookieMe
December 5, 2025

THE BUDDING draft crop of 2026 shapes as one with a bit of everything and the ruck department is certainly not short on talent. A standout group of 200cm-plus prospects has already emerged, with the National Academy set to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to key position options. After West Coast selected Cooper Duff-Tytler with pick four this year, many similar types may soon hit those lofty heights. We profile a handful of ruckmen to watch for next year, including an over-age wildcard.

Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide/SA)
Ruck | 200cm | 01/11/2008

Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights/VM)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008

Cooper Ramsay (East Fremantle/WA)
Ruck | 203cm | 09/01/2007

Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights/VM)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008

Benji van Rooyen (Claremont/WA)
Ruck | 203cm | 17/09/2008

Full write-ups about each ruckman here: https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/12/05/2026-afl-draft-spotlight-rucks-to-run-rampant/

92

Richmond Rant / Re: SSP

« Last post by Andyy on December 06, 2025, 05:49:54 PM »

Good post claw.

We have Nank

Flemington straight

Throw a towel over the rest, although Sims looks decent but I'd rather not have his murdered if Nank goes down.

Anyone wanting to bank on the likes of Ryan or OHB is kidding themselves it's a long shot indeed but fingers crossed.

93

Richmond Rant / Re: Best 23 in 2026?

« Last post by one-eyed on December 06, 2025, 05:28:14 PM »

Every team's best 23 going into 2026

Nic Negrepontis
Nine
December 5, 2025

One thing to note is we have not included any players out with significant long-term injuries.

RICHMOND

FB: J. Gibcus, B. Miller, N. Vlastuin

HB: J. Short, N. Balta, S. Banks

C: S. Grlj, T. Taranto, L. Trainor

HF: J. Hopper, H. Armstrong, T. Hotton

FF: J. Faull, T. Lynch, S. Campbell

FOL: T. Nankervis, S. Lalor, D. Prestia

INT: T. Brown, N. Broad, S. Cumming, J. Ross, R. Mansell


STRENGTH: Potentially the hardest best 23 to predict this off-season given the sheer quantity of young talent the Tigers have accumulated across the last two years. No team boasts as many top draft picks at the start of their careers and the key will be putting enough veteran bodies around them to protect them.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Having so many youngsters is their strength, but it will also impact their ability to perform consistently across the season. The forward line in particular will take time to find its feet given the young key forwards coupled with Tom Lynch in the final stage of his career.

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/news-best-23-all-18-clubs-teams-trade-draft-period-2026-20251130-p5nl60.html

94

Richmond Rant / Richmond in 2026 will have the 3rd youngest & inexperienced list (AFL site)

« Last post by one-eyed on December 06, 2025, 05:24:46 PM »

Average age: 23.8 (16th oldest)

Average games: 58.7 (16th most experienced)

Most games: Nick Vlastuin (255)

Players with 100-plus games: 9

Players with less than 50 games: 29




https://x.com/AFL/status/1997139749426130991

Average Games

Collingwood  94.7
Geelong        89.3
Brisbane       88.6
Sydney         84.9
Carlton         79.3
Melbourne    79.0
GWS Giants  77.0
St Kilda        74.4
W.Bulldogs    73.4
Adelaide       72.6
North Melb.  72.0
Hawthorn     71.4
Fremantle     67.2
Port Adelaide 64.9
Gold Coast    63.9
Richmond     58.7
Essendon      57.7
West Coast   54.1

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1457509/list-analysis-where-your-club-ranks-for-age-and-experience

95

General Discussion / Re: Cricket thread

« Last post by one-eyed on December 06, 2025, 05:11:21 PM »

Aussies still batting as we get to Tea on Day 3.

Aus  8/450 .... Starc 46*, Boland 7*

A lead of 116 runs.

96

Richmond Rant / Re: Favourite player game

« Last post by mightytiges on December 06, 2025, 05:07:09 PM »

Alger   8 +
Balta   6
Clarke  2 -
Lynch   9

97

Richmond Rant / Re: Best 23 in 2026?

« Last post by WilliamPowell on December 06, 2025, 04:17:21 PM »

I am debating the topic.

 - " Rance spoke highly of Chaplin's influence on him."
 - " Yze isn't going to come out and say Balta needs a whack over the head sometimes, is he?
Of course he's a <insert cliche here>"

Why is a former player seen as reliable in his commentary and the coach not so?

It's directly connected to the subject of the make up if the backline and the apparent need for leadership.

Refer to Tiger Khosh former discussion in regards to Vlastuin.

The above is indeed debating the topic.

Your childish, snide little comment that was at the end of the post I removed wasn't. It was a clear bait.

98

Richmond Rant / Re: Favourite player game

« Last post by Wazza on December 06, 2025, 03:09:50 PM »

Alger   7
Balta   6
Clarke  3 -
Lynch   9 +

99

General Discussion / Re: Socceroos / Matildas / World Cup / Asian Cup

« Last post by one-eyed on December 06, 2025, 02:09:00 PM »

Full World Cup draw:


https://x.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1997098116281974784

100

General Discussion / Re: Socceroos / Matildas / World Cup / Asian Cup

« Last post by one-eyed on December 06, 2025, 02:05:16 PM »

We are in Group D of the World Cup with hosts USA, Paraguay and the qualifier winner out of Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo.

We first play the qualifier winner.


https://x.com/Socceroos/status/1997019363736760591