After 1020-day wait for game two, Tiger proves he was worth waiting forJuly 1, 2019 4:38pm
James Halley
FOX SPORTSIt was the final round of 2016 when Mabior Chol made his AFL debut. He had to wait 1020 days for a second game; but now he’s proving it was worth the wait.
The Tigers knew when they selected Chol with Pick 30 in the 2015 Rookie Draft that he needed time. He stood at 198 centimetres, but weighed just 81 kilograms.
His debut against Sydney in Round 23, 2016 was very bleak. He managed just two disposals in a humiliating 113-point loss and clearly wasn’t at AFL standard.
This is the project player’s fourth year on Richmond’s list, and many externally were questioning why he was still at the club. But Tigers coach Damien Hardwick knew he had a special player on his hands.
“Marbs (Mabior Chol), we’ve sorta hung onto him because we’ve seen what he can do,” Hardwick said in his post-match press conference on Sunday.
Season 2019 has shown letting players develop in the VFL can help unearth stars. The likes of Geelong’s Gryan Miers and Essendon’s Dylan Clarke have completed successful apprenticeships in the VFL system before cementing their spots in their respective AFL teams.
Chol now could be to be the next breakout star following in their footsteps.
Since his draft year, he has hit the gym and added 10 kilograms to his frame. He now has the body size to compete with the league’s big men.
That has been shown in his improvement in the VFL. He is averaging 93 ranking points (above average for his position, per Champion Data), 1.9 goals (elite) and 7.6 contested possessions (above average).
These numbers are unrecognisable to the Chol of yesteryear who struggled with form and injury in his first three seasons at Tigerland.
He was rewarded for his strong VFL form with a call up in Round 13 against Adelaide; he was beaten by emerging talent Reilly O’Brien in the ruck, although he still showed a glimpse of his potential.
Two weeks later Chol vindicated the club’s decision to re-rookie him. Against St Kilda, he had a breakout performance, nabbing 16 disposals and kicking three goals.
“Today was certainly the best game he’s played,” Hardwick said.
“He’s certainly got some talent. I think we can see why he’s hung ‘round our footy club.”
Now the Tigers coach just wants to see Chol perform at a high level more consistently.
“He’s just gotta learn to get the consistency of AFL and what that is and what it looks like, and I think he can be a player for us,” he said.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2019-mabior-chol-is-showing-why-richmond-kept-the-faith-after-a-breakout-game-against-st-kilda/news-story/6a122d158710a3956ae29b1f27e6a565
