CAN EX-CROW GALLUCCI MAKE AN IMPACT AT RICHMOND?By Andrew Slevison
SEN
10 February 2021News that Jordan Gallucci is training with Richmond has prompted a prediction of sorts from Andy Maher.
The 22-year-old small forward/midfielder was delisted by Adelaide last year after a season in which he was unable to make the senior side under Matthew Nicks due to a ruptured achilles.
Gallucci was a highly rated junior evidenced by the fact he was the 15th selection in the 2016 draft but he couldn’t quite force his way in at the Crows, playing 27 games and kicking 19 goals over four seasons.
The former Vic Metro co-captain is one of five players training with the Tigers in a bid to win a spot on the list via the pre-season supplemental selection period, and if he were to be successful, Maher can see him slotting into the back-to-back premiers’ best 22.
“He’s had some injury issues so that’s my caveat here,” Maher said on SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“If the achilles is no good and he hasn’t come back from it, then that’s my out here.
“I’m about to say something, I’m about to make a statement here: Jordan Gallucci is your prototypical Richmond project player story waiting to happen.
“If at the end of 2021 Richmond have won four in a row, if the achilles is ok, he’ll play 19 games for Richmond, he’ll kick a goal a game, he’ll lay four tackles inside forward 50 on average per week, and he’ll have somewhere in between 10 and 14 possessions a week.
“Think about what Richmond’s had, what they’ve thrown at us for the last few years. Your Castagnas, your Butlers, your Higgins, Rioli and about three or four others on their list at the moment. They’ve had so many of those players, who are in the big scheme of things, relatively nondescript but they are just busy, they play a role.
“If you remember back to what Gallucci did, if you happen to see him when he was the player who got drafted by Adelaide…”
Bob Murphy says Gallucci’s history suggests he can certainly play the game but is wary of the injury that cut him down while with the Crows.
“Small forward, first round pick, so he can play,” Murphy added.
“Achilles (injuries), they hang around, but if you can get over them…
“Second chance, I can imagine (he’ll do well).”
Maher cites Richmond’s renowned system as the central aspect as to why he believes Gallucci can flourish in yellow and black, provided he forces his way onto the list.
“Just watch this space. He’s not even on their list at the moment, he may not make it,” he said further.
“But he was the name that jumped off and it just seems to fit the bill of the machine that has been created down there.
“You plug these players in and they know exactly what they’ve got to do and more often than not, they do it, and they become good players.
“Then other clubs pay overs for them and Richmond just keeps turning the wheel.”
Gallucci last played at AFL level against Port Adelaide in Round 16 of the 2019 season.
He is signed on to play with Williamstown in the VFL if he fails to win a place at Richmond.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/02/09/can-ex-crow-gallucci-make-an-impact-at-richmond/
