FIVE-GAME FORWARD THAT’S WON OVER ONE OF AFL’S GREATEST GOALKICKERSHe’s only played five AFL games after signing a Richmond contract just over two months ago.
But Mykelti Lefau already has the next Australian Football Hall of Fame legend firmly on his bandwagon.
Lefau, 25, was signed by the Tigers as a rookie late in the pre-season supplemental selection period after impressing as part of the VFL program across the past two seasons.
He’s already kicked seven goals from five games – including 3.2 from 12 disposals and eight marks against West Coast in Round 5 – but it’s his physical presences that caught the eye of four-time premiership Hawk and legendary full-forward Jason Dunstall on Wednesday night.
While many of his teammates were sloppy with ball in-hand, Lefau impressed with his competitiveness and footy nous, booting one goal from nine disposals against Melbourne while also competing well in the ruck.
“I know they didn’t help their forwards, but can I just say from a Tigers perspective – I like the look of Lefau,” Dunstall told Fox Footy post-game.
“This is a guy that’s a competitor, he has a thirst for the contest, and he did a couple of clever things (against Melbourne). He doesn’t mind tackling or doing the hard stuff either.
“I think he’s a really good prospect going forward.”
Fellow Fox Footy pundit David King pointed out there were several occasions where Lefau was on a straight-line lead to the kicker but was ignored by his teammates – much to Dunstall’s frustration.
“He presents brilliantly and he’s giving them what they need,” Dunstall said. “I guess they’re used to ‘I see Dusty, I’ll kick it to Dusty, even if he’s not in the best position’. But I think this young man can make a real go of it.”
Lefau on Wednesday night was a rare bright spot on a tough night for the Tigers, whose season already appears all but over before May, but are contending with a lengthy injury list as well.
The Tigers have been battling to field a competitive side in recent weeks with Jayden Short (calf), Tom Lynch (hamstring), Tim Taranto (wrist), Dion Prestia (hamstring), Noah Balta (knee), Jack Ross (foot) and Josh Gibcus (knee) all unavailable and now Jacob Hopper (hamstring) set for a stint on the sidelines.
But the opportunity those big-name absentees are giving some of Richmond’s Tiger cubs has made coach Adem Yze optimistic.
“I’m envisaging six weeks’ time when we get a lot of our players back. The selection is going to be really hard based on what our young players are showing,” Yze said on Wednesday.
“They’re getting opportunity through adversity and to watch Thomson Dow today (against Melbourne) play against a quality midfield felt like he took a step forward in his career.
“Seth Campbell is getting opportunities, Maurice Rioli Jnr — he looks powerful, he looks dangerous around goals.
“So, the more that we can give those guys opportunity, which we have to right now, the future’s going to be bright for them when we get everyone back available.
“There is a silver lining the fact they’re getting an opportunity. Tom Brown is taking his game step by step.”
During a dynasty period where Richmond benefited largely from the play of its small-forward brigade, Lefau brings a bulldozing, mid-sized element to a group that hasn’t sniffed one since Josh Caddy roamed Tigerland.
Arriving at Punt Road with a rugby league background, Lefau thirsts for contact. His ability to crash packs and bring balls to ground are traits that have been held in high regard by Tigers coaching staffs of years past.
Even when Tom Lynch eventually returns, you feel that Richmond’s Kiwi-born footy convert still has a place in Yze’s best side.
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