Track Watch: Pre-Season Week ThreeRFC website
Nov 29, 2025A busy week at Tigerland marked the return of the full playing list, while our community and pre-season camp also took place in Yarrawonga and the surrounding areas.
Young gun Kane McAuliffe rolled in on Monday sporting an Adelaide 36ers jersey, alongside fellow South Australian, Sam Cumming, who, along with the other 2025 draftees, entered the Swinburne Centre doors for the first time.
Veteran Jayden Short brought plenty of strong vibes to the track with a fresh buzz cut and plenty of voice to get the group motivated to start the week.
In lieu of the 2km time trial this year, the squad opted for a Bronco Test, chasing each layer of cones up and down the field.
As revealed on the Talking Tigers draft special, running machine Patrick Retschko recorded the best time of the Bronco, no surprise considering his status as an elite athlete and runner.
Forwards Tom Lynch and Jonty Faull were both strong in their strides throughout the test, setting the tone amongst the key position players.
Rhyan Mansell, Taj Hotton, James Trezise and Maurice Rioli kept tight as a unit before an eager Mansell pushed away to finish strong.
All in all, it was positive to see so many bodies confidently complete their endurance running with independence and belief.
Skill execution was the main focus of Monday's session, where the newly appointed No. 4, Sam Lalor, bounced around the track in an ABC handball and kicking drill. Lalor was zipping his way around the cones en route to collect the football, once again showing his strong hands and elite kick, lacing up targets with speed and precision.
Seth Campbell also impressed in the same drill, showing his agility and fast footwork as he moved around the cones, not missing a kick when disposing of the footy.
Tasmanian duo, Toby Nankervis and Sam Banks, put in a solid session on the assault bikes, getting some mileage into their legs and arms. Nick Vlastuin also wasted no time getting to work in the gym, smashing out some rope pull-downs.
First-round draft picks, Cumming and Sam Grlj integrated into the group seamlessly, putting their skills to the test in a multi-kick drill, hitting up targets on the lead as they worked the ball around the oval. Cumming showed his poise when marking the ball in the air, while Grlj showed his elite burst and speed when running off the mark.
The team then boarded the buses for Yarrawonga, where they made themselves at home at The Sebel, before a full day of community activities on Tuesday.
From Yarrawonga to Numurkah to Cobram and Corowa, Richmond players visited local schools, aged care facilities, hospitals, men’s sheds and hosted kids clinics, with lifelong memories made with hundreds of members of the Tiger Army.
Before the footballs came out on Wednesday, each line group participated in a river swim, a gym session at Priority Gym 24/7, line meetings, a hearty lunch and some cricket and games at The Sebel.
On the J.C Lowe Oval, all eyes were on the newest Tigers, with Grlj, Cumming, Zane Peucker, Noah Roberts-Thomson, and train-ons Tom Burton and Marcus Krasnadamskis, put through their paces.
Cumming’s commitment and laser-sharp focus were on display, as he kept his head down and led his fellow draftees through run-throughs and testing.
Meanwhile, competition was hot between Banks and Kaleb Smith in their touch skill session, quickly and cleanly moving the ball and building energy while doing so.
Tim Taranto was mic’d up for the session and displayed tremendous leadership, working closely with Assistant Coach, Midfield/Stoppages, Sam Lonergan, mentoring the younger group of midfielders, and looking as sharp as ever.
Samson Ryan stood tall, and the forwards and midfielders ran through forward-50 entry drills, clonking impactful marks under Lynch’s watchful eye.
The week’s final training session saw Richmond land at the Corowa Football Club on Friday, and zinc was passed around aplenty.
Luke Trainor caught attention with his bright pink and orange Puma boots, staking his claim for the best football accessory of the pre-season. Retschko’s green boots now have some serious competition.
Ben Miller led the way through sprint drills, followed closely by McAuliffe on the impressively kept Corowa Oval.
Faull was prominent in end-to-end run-throughs, highlighting his genuine aerial improvement and confidence in contests.
Grlj utilised the keepings-off contest to show off his blistering speed, collecting the ball from Hotton and charging forward without a doubt in his mind.
Such confidence lifted the group, and saw fellow draftee Peucker take risks streaming out of defence, after being handed the ball by Cumming in smooth fashion.
It was a successful and uniting week in Yarrawonga, with the group now ready to settle back into life at the Swinburne Centre, as another important week of work looms.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1936507/track-watch-pre-season-week-three
