Richmond's crop of U23s rated 8th best (afl site)

[one-eyed]

Who has the best crop of U23s?

AFL.com.au
Staff writers
Aug 1, 2019

THE QUESTION is simple: which club has the best group of players aged under 23?

The answer, however, is far more complex.

Our panel of reporters assessed the young players from all 18 AFL clubs and ranked them according to the group they'd most like at their club. We've also identified the individual players who have the biggest upside, and the young talent that needs to get a move on.

1. Brisbane
2. Carlton
3. Port Adelaide
4. W.Bulldogs
5. GWS
6. Sydney
7. Gold Coast

8. RICHMOND

Under-23 players: 17 players in total
Daniel Rioli (70 games), Jack Graham (33 games), Jack Higgins (33 games), Shai Bolton (21 games), Sydney Stack (16 games), Liam Baker (15 games), Noah Balta (12 games), Ryan Garthwaite (nine games), Mabior Chol (seven games), Jack Ross (five games), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (two games), Patrick Naish (two games), Callum Coleman-Jones (one game), Riley Collier-Dawkins, Luke English, Ben Miller, Fraser Turner

Rising Star nominees: Five players
Daniel Rioli (2016), Jack Higgins (2018), Liam Baker (2019), Shai Bolton (2019), Sydney Stack (2019)

No.1 star: Sydney Stack. The versatility at both ends of the ground, the toughness, the sheer audacity to pull off his marks and goals – all with a cheeky grin – means Stack is a star on the rise.

Biggest upside: Mabior Chol. After a few years in the VFL, Chol has strung together some consistent footy. Shows flashes of brilliance in the air, and his agility and speed for his height is impressive.

Needs to show more: Jack Higgins. A bit harsh given the lively forward/midfielder is now out for the year with a brain bleed, but Higgins had spent three weeks in the VFL before being hospitalised. Has all the talent, just wasn't getting his hands on the ball.

Summary: Given Richmond is pushing for a flag, to be ranked eighth for the strength of its under-23s is promising for the future. The crop is a little heavy on smalls, while Jack Ross is the only draftee to have debuted. – Sarah Black


9. Geelong
10. West Coast
11. Essendon
12. North Melbourne
13. Fremantle
14. St Kilda
15. Hawthorn
16. Melbourne
17. Collingwood
18. Adelaide

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-31/who-has-the-best-crop-of-u23s-we-rank-them-from-worst-to-best