Tiger cubs prove senior side's gainrichmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen
5:51 PM Fri 13 August, 2010FOURTEEN new players brought into a side that has just one player over 30 means a young, mostly inexperienced list, and that's exactly what Richmond has this year.
The club has seen nine players make their AFL debuts, and all have acquitted themselves well.
But despite the infusion of new blood into the side, the backline has retained its core of relatively senior players, and has been further strengthened by the move of dual best and fairest winner Brett Deledio to half-back.
The arrival of Deledio - who is having his best year in the AFL - has given Chris Newman some much needed help, and the skipper says he's really enjoying being part of a tight back six.
"I think it's the most senior core group of players in terms of lines," he said.
"I'm really enjoying playing with those players, especially Lids off half-back - he's one of those exciting players who can break the game open, and reads the play really well.
"He's one of our leaders within the team, so he directs the play and directs the team really well.
"Daniel Connors and Mitch Farmer coming on the ground gives us a little bit of a spell and a little bit of a blow on the bench, so that's always important late in the season.
"[Farmer] has been really impressive. We always knew what we were going to get with Mitch. He's a competitor and gives us a lot of drive off half-back as well, so I think he's made huge ground this year, with still a lot of improvement left in him."
Despite so many debutants, the Tigers still have players in the wings who they want to see play at AFL level.
This weekend will see the debut of international rookie Jamie O'Reilly, who was recently elevated to the senior list along with Robert Hicks to cover players on the long-term injury list.
David Gourdis was promoted mid-season as the club's nominated rookie and Troy Taylor is free to play after receiving a suspended sentence from a Northern Territory court.
Newman said the club could play them in the remaining three games this year.
"I think with all those players, they can all come in and make an impact, and I think that's the beauty about the young players who we've got to our club," he said.
"The first and second-year players are really keen to improve and learn every facet of the game, so hopefully they get their opportunity, because you always love playing with the first-gamers and the youth of the side."
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