Yze on selection pressure, Blight and RioliBy Luke Sicari
Richmond Media
18 June 2025Richmond coach Adem Yze has affirmed how he believes “selection integrity is really important”, as the Tigers get set to begin the second half of their 2025 campaign.
Speaking in a mid-season members update video, Yze explained how the Club doesn’t plan on gifting games to players before they’re ready.
“We want to give some exposure to our younger players, but at the same time, we are not just going to gift players AFL games if they’re not ready,” Yze said.
“I feel like selection integrity is really important at a footy club. I want Kamdyn McIntosh to feel he has got the exact same opportunity to play as Luke Trainor.
“In doing that, it creates pressure and selection pressure, which creates high level performance.”
Two players who are in strong VFL form are Maurice Rioli Jr and Jacob Blight, and Yze discussed the situation both are facing in regards to selection.
Rioli has played five senior games this season, but has starred in his past two VFL appearances, spending time in the midfield, collecting 25 disposals against GWS and 17 disposals against Sydney, while applying strong pressure in both contests.
Yze detailed how consistent blocks of impressive VFL performances will benefit Rioli, comparing his current predicament to that of Tyler Sonsie earlier this year.
“He (Rioli) has been one of the guys I have felt for, he came in and played as the sub, and then one of the other games he got subbed out pretty early,” Yze said.
“You can fall into that process of playing AFL footy but not getting high game time. Right now, he is getting an opportunity to play midfield time and forward at VFL level and he is starting to become a really consistent VFL player.
“We did the same with Tyler Sonsie. He played a few early season games but was sort of in and out, sub one week, played two and a half quarters another week, so it’s hard to create consistency if you’re in that mode.
“Sonsie went back and played high level VFL footy for a month and was ready to play. So right now, I feel he is in a better position because of what he did in the VFL.
“Maurice is going through exactly that right now, he has played two really strong VFL games, eventually he will just break the door down and when he does, we feel he will be in a better position to hold his spot.”
Yze had a similar message for Blight, who hasn’t played in the AFL side since Round 6, but has been in outstanding VFL form, including winning the Sir Doug Nicholls Trophy, being named best on ground in the Dreamtime win over Essendon.
“He (Blight) would be getting frustrated right now but so are a lot of our VFL boys, we have a lot of key position boys that are in good form,” Yze said.
“Right now, Ben Miller is in probably the best form of his career, Noah Balta’s in the team, and Campbell Gray probably just pipped him for his opportunity a couple of weeks ago.
“He will get another look at AFL footy, Blighty, and eventually he will just break the door down. All I’ve been preaching to him is good VFL form is showing that you’re improving.
“He walked through the doors 18 months ago as a mid-season pick-up and he is learning the game, he is getting better every game and understanding what’s required to be a really strong AFL player.
“We understand what we will get if we do bring him back into the team, he has just got to bide his time and play consistent footy.
“He is a great kid, he does everything right, and hopefully when he does come back in, he stays in."
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1808240/yze-on-selection-pressure-blight-and-rioli
