Luke Teal and Pala Kuma training with Richmond

[one-eyed]

Both spotted at our training session today.

Luke Teal (left) & Pala Kuma (right).


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Pala Kuma
Club(s): Bendigo Pioneers/Robinvale-Euston
Height: 182cm
Weight: ?
D.O.B: 10-01-2005

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/pala-kuma/

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Luke Teal
Club(s): Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Medium defender
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
D.O.B: 20-05-2004

SNAPSHOT: “A medium defender able to play on small and medium forwards while also providing rebound with his skill and composure.”

It has been a tricky year for Luke Teal, missing the first three weeks of the NAB League season missing some of the bigger games but returned against Calder Cannons in Round 4. He successfully had 19 disposals, and although was shaky early, he quickly got going again and by the end of the year was really hitting his straps.

Teal is a good size for a modern footballer, standing at around 190cm and playing mostly as a defender has played on a range of types but mostly small forwards with his biggest task against Harry Sheezel in Round 16. That was a good battle, with Teal finishing that game with 20 disposals and was a real weapon with his sharp kicking.

With his ability to shut down while also provide rebound, Teal could project to be like Collingwood defensive duo Brayden Maynard and Isaac Quaynor who both had a huge years for Collingwood showing those types of players to be very valuable in modern football.

Teal would finish the year only managing four games with Oakleigh Chargers but would average 17.8 disposals and five marks per game and although he has not shown to get the huge numbers like a Lachlan Cowan or Jakob Ryan, he has also had an interrupted year and has had to play more lockdown roles. Teal would also play the final game for Vic Metro against Vic Country which was his first representative game since last year where he also excelled down back.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/luke-teal/

[one-eyed]

Along with Narkle, country footballer Kaelen Bradtke and Oakleigh Chargers defender Luke Teal will train for a place at Punt Road.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/12/15/reports-richmond-and-essendon-offer-trials-to-delisted-duo/


Pala Kuma is our NGA player for 2023 apparently.

[one-eyed]

33. Melbourne - Luke Teal

An athletic medium defender, Teal does his best work behind the ball as an intercepting threat, with his reading of the ball in flight and intercept marking highlights of his game. While mostly used in defence this year, Teal has experience playing through the midfield where his ball use and composure under pressure have been hallmarks of his game.

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...t-espn-early-two-round-breakdown-************


Luke Teal (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)​

A member of the NAB AFL Academy at the start of the year, Teal endured a rocky 2022 which included suffering a broken collarbone.

However, the 189cm rebounding defender or wingman put his best foot forward when he did get out on the field and showed his abilities one-on-one and that he has a penetrating kick when he wins the ball back.

He is the son of Robert Teal, who played 18 games for Sydney in 1989 and 1990.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2022-harry-sheezel-subjected-to-antisemnitic-abuse-on-social-media/news-story/d607542b77ee76a3b5f45673113b1b63


Another potential hard luck story due to seperate bouts of injury, Teal is a prototypical modern day footballer who was simply unable to show his wares across an extended run of games. He suffered appendicitis and later broke his collarbone, with Oakleigh’s lack of a finals campaign potentially hurting his stocks. Teal’s athletic profile, versatility, and terrific kicking skills may see him find a suitor yet, and he has serious upside to consider.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2022/11/30/up-for-grabs-overlooked-prospects-vying-for-a-rookie-chance/

[one-eyed]

Source: central.rookieme.com.au

[Andyy]

Possible long term replacement for Floss?

[one-eyed]

'It wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the NGA program' - Kuma

Richmond Media speak with NGA program participant Pala Kuma about his experience within the program and around Tigerland

Watch here: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1259467/-it-wouldn-t-be-possible-if-it-wasn-t-for-the-nga-program-kuma

[the claw]

Don't mind the look of Teal. Size strength and endurance are things that can be improved significantly. With those improvements the contested side of his game will improve also.

Breaking the list down though id hope they see him as a winger rather than a hb. We already have potentially 8 small medium  defenders if you put Short Baker, and Banks there to go with Mansell, Vlastuin Rioli, Smith and Brown.On top of that both Broad and Grimes can and do play small regularly for us.

Still think it is way past time we took a chance on a key fwd or three who have  afl attributes the situation as far as numbers go here can only be described as dire.