Taj Hotton to debut this week [merged]

[Simonator]

3 weeks

[TigerLand]

Riding Star next year odds on

[Diocletian]

Riding Star next year odds on

He's leaving to become a jockey? Bit tall I would've thought.

[one-eyed]

Hotton hits the ground running

By Henry Milic
RFC website
23 June 2025

Richmond young gun, Taj Hotton, took to the field on Sunday for the first time in more than 12 months after recovering from an ACL injury sustained last year.

Hotton was selected as the number 12 pick in the 2024 draft by the Tigers and has since been working hard in rehab to get himself back to playing, a task he accomplished on Sunday as he played for Richmond's VFL side against Footscray.

Known for his silky skills with the ball, Hotton got off to a strong start to his career in the yellow and black, recording 14 disposals and two tackles in less than three-quarters of football.

Unfortunately, Hotton's return to play was spoiled by an in-form Bulldogs outfit, who defeated the Tigers by 45 points.

Richmond's VFL coach, Jake Batchelor, said Hotton showed off his versatility in his first outing.

“He is a great talent,” Batchelor said. 

“Started him at quarter-time and he showed his strengths straight away.

“He is cat-like, he is in the air, he is on the ground, he is clean, he is evasive, and he has really good vision with his hands.”

Hotton made an instant impact, taking a strong leaping mark before linking up with Mykelti Lefau, who finished off the passage of play with a goal.

Batchelor added that he was impressed with Hotton's performance, considering he has been sidelined for the last year.

“The fact that he got through after 12/13 months off and played three-quarters of football, almost, was so pleasing for us,” Batchelor said.

“I hope that the Tiger fans got a great glimpse into what Taj is going to be like going forward into the future.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1812525/hotton-hits-the-ground-running

[one-eyed]

High Performance Manager Ben Serpell was pleased with the return of first-year player, Taj Hotton, who made a successful VFL debut after returning from an ACL.

“He went really well,” Serpell said.

“From a football perspective, they were happy with him and from a physical perspective, he pulled up really well, and we will look to increase his game time this week.”

Source: RFC website.

[Willy]

Need him in the 1s asap.

[Andyy]

Need him in the 1s asap.

weeks away you'd think

[WilliamPowell]

Need him in the 1s asap.

weeks away you'd think

Would need to play at least 2 full VFL games you'd think

Last week he played a half over 3qtrs

Expect that to increase this week to match minutes equivalent to 3qtrs over 4 qtrs

I reckon we will season him end of July

[Andyy]

Need him in the 1s asap.

weeks away you'd think

Would need to play at least 2 full VFL games you'd think

Last week he played a half over 3qtrs

Expect that to increase this week to match minutes equivalent to 3qtrs over 4 qtrs

I reckon we will season him end of July

Like button

[one-eyed]

Richmond will give Taj Hotton one more week at VFL level before his senior debut. Sorely tempted to play him given VFL brilliance but will stick to the plan.

-----

I think the club would like to [play Hotton in the seniors next week] as well. Played a half then three quarters. So will get a full VFL game under his belt before he gets his senior debut. They will stick to the plan

https://x.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1939187811892240562

[MintOnLamb]

Richmond will give Taj Hotton one more week at VFL level before his senior debut. Sorely tempted to play him given VFL brilliance but will stick to the plan.

-----

I think the club would like to [play Hotton in the seniors next week] as well. Played a half then three quarters. So will get a full VFL game under his belt before he gets his senior debut. They will stick to the plan

https://x.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1939187811892240562

Just don’t play him as the sub

[one-eyed]

Taj Hotton will be unleashed on full minutes

The Tigers will also look to “unleash” untried draftee Taj Hotton, who has built steadily from ACL recovery in recent weeks.

“It’s a bit about everything, really, we’ve got to make sure he’s (Hotton) ready to play AFL footy and not just play, he’s got to perform and be ready to perform,” Yze said.

“Last week was his first full game, it was still managed minutes or managed rotations, so he’s played 80 per cent game time at VFL.

“This week we’ll let him go, we’ll unleash him, he gets to play as much game time as he can.

“Then it’s around recovery and how he pulls up, we’ve got eight games to go and we’ve got make sure when he comes in we want him to stay in.

“We’ve got to make sure he’s pulling up OK, give him the best chance – he’s obviously a highly talented guy but we’ve got to set him up the right way.”

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2025-richmond-defender-josh-gibcus-will-return-while-another-tiger-will-be-unleashed-on-full-minutes/news-story/d1fd11c59884e5eff5d284211933f9fa

[Tiger Khosh]

Play well, get through unscathed and we’ll see you at the G next week young fella.

[MintOnLamb]

Play well, get through unscathed and we’ll see you at the G next week young fella.

🙏🙏

[Simonator]

Very excited to watch Taj and Gibcus. Taj seems a lock to debut next week. Hopdfully Gibcus can get himself into the ones too