One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: mightytiges on November 19, 2025, 08:02:50 PM
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Welcome to Tigerland, Sam :)
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(https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2025/11/17/54e829be-10ac-459b-9419-ad3b9565ebb4/140783_AFL-Editorial-GFX_PD_Article-Straps-Clean_FA_10-2x.jpg?width=1511)
This is where it gets interesting. Richmond has been doing plenty of work on its key targets, and sent a delegation of recruiters to fly to Mildura on Friday to visit Cumming and his family for a final interview. He is a player with real physical grunt, a tough edge, a tenacious mindset and great overhead marking ability to give himself a point of difference in the top rungs of this year's draft pool. He had a strong carnival with South Australia before making his SANFL senior debut with North Adelaide, where he impressed at the level. If the Tigers want to add some more hardness, matched with skill, to their group then Cumming is right in the frame.
(https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2025/11/17/e66a7972-5414-4118-b509-e23c368aa93e/JMEkbQhI.jpg?width=1064&height=600)
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1453760/cal-twomeys-2025-phantom-draft-top-30-late-picks-whispers
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Sam and family when his name was called out.
VIDEO: https://x.com/NorthAdelaideFC/status/1991075274897715582/video/4
And Cumming with Bachar getting his guernsey.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G6G4LTBbEAABv_P?format=jpg&name=large)
https://x.com/theTiser/status/1991075019095724378
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Already wearing the Tiger guernsey.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G6G5L66aUAAJSqo?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G6G5L7AbIAAt1yZ?format=jpg&name=large)
https://x.com/zacmilbank/status/1991076133379457180
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Looks pretty slick. Happy with this pick
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Sam Cumming arrives at Richmond
By Richmond Media
Nov 19, 2025, 7:49 pm
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/11/19/2a5cad62-46ba-4880-a802-f0983d31502d/Cumming_Web-1-.png?width=2128&height=1200)
Richmond is delighted to welcome bull at a gate midfielder/forward, Sam Cumming, to the Club after swooping on him with its first pick, No. 7 overall at tonight’s Telstra AFL Draft.
Born and raised in Wentworth, New South Wales, Cumming moved to Adelaide in 2023, where he boarded at Prince Alfred College and played football for North Adelaide.
Cumming made an immediate impact in South Australian football circles, including winning the SANFL U/18 MVP award as a bottom-aged player last year.
He averaged 17 disposals and a goal as part of South Australia’s National Championships winning team in 2025 and earned All Australian selection.
Cumming also looked more than comfortable at senior level in the SANFL, averaging 21 touches across four games before a shoulder injury cut short his season.
A strong tackler and clearance player, Cumming is always in the thick of it around the coalface when playing through the midfield, though his contested marking also makes him a difficult forward match-up.
Richmond National Recruiting Manager Rhy Gieschen said that Cumming was combative and played with a hard edge.
“Sam has great speed and power and is a strong overhead mark. He is a team-first player and was a highly valued teammate across all teams he represented,” he added.
“After a strong and consistent U18 National Championships, he made his SANFL debut, and in his second league appearance, he had 21 disposals, five clearances, five tackles, and kicked three goals, which highlighted his ability to impact both as a midfielder and forward.
“He is a player of high character, and we are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Tigerland.”
Cumming continues a strong success line with Richmond and the Sunraysia region, which includes Richmond greats Matthew Knights, Mark Lee, and Dale Weightman (Mildura).
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1932034/sam-cumming-arrives-at-richmond
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VIDEOS:
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PeAkBxWlsU8/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeAkBxWlsU8&t=2s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeAkBxWlsU8&t=2s
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XLZD-95YdBE/hqdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLZD-95YdBE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLZD-95YdBE
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Pics:
(https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64842399&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h) (https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64844335&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h)
(https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64842397&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h) (https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64844347&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h)
(https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64844930&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h) (https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64842401&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h)
(https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64844344&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h) (https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64844331&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h)
(https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64839434&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h) (https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64839571&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h)
(https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64837020&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h)
(https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64839441&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h) (https://www.aflphotos.com.au/image/imagerender?key=64839444&src=afl-gal-clear-0w-450h)
https://www.aflphotos.com.au/gallery/afl-2025-media-telstra-afl-draft?sortby=&search=&pg=20
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The moment Cumming gets his guernsey!
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSBLTT52vBO5x_GkEnAqCWW6x7XQ-Ffd1jE6Q&s) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ZRS2-jXyM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ZRS2-jXyM
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Sam Cumming
height: 183cm
D.O.B: 27-07-2007
Position: Midfielder-Forward
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, SANFL
Clubs: North Adelaide
SNAPSHOT:
“An explosive and competitive midfielder-forward who reliably wins contested ball and has added weapons to his game.” – Michael Alvaro
Sam Cumming will be among the most highly sought after prospects at this year’s draft after an impressive couple of seasons with North Adelaide. The midfielder took out last year’s SANFL Under 18 MVP award as a bottom-ager, making 10 appearances for an average of 27 disposals. He also turned out twice for South Australia at the Under 18 National Championships, and was selected to play in the National Futures game.
With such exploits under his belt, Cumming was inducted into the 2025 AFL Academy and impressed during a preseason training stint at Port Adelaide. He came into season proper with huge wraps on his potential, and delivered to become an All-Australian by the end of SA’s title-winning nationals run. The best was yet to come, though, as Cumming stepped up into North Adelaide’s League side and made an immediate impact.
Amid arguably his best patch of form for the year, he starred with 21 disposals and three goals in Round 13 against South Adelaide. Unfortunately, his season ended in a fourth and final senior game after injuring his shoulder three weeks later against Central District. Still, Cumming was fit enough to participate at the National Draft Combine where he showcased his explosive speed with a sub three-second 20m sprint time.
Cumming is quite well travelled already having played his junior football in Wentworth, a town over the New South Wales border in the Sunraysia region. He also represented Bendigo Pioneers in the 2022 V-Line Cup, but ended up attending school at the prestigious Prince Alfred College in Adelaide and thus linked up with North. He’s a Hawthorn supporter and models his game on the likes of Sydney star Isaac Heeney.
STRENGTHS:
+ Competitiveness
+ Consistency
+ Overhead marking
+ Power
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Work rate
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Kicking technique
- Outside game
There's a well-roundedness to Cumming's profile that will appeal to AFL clubs, but mostly it's his ability to hurt the opposition as a powerful midfielder who goes forward. He built his base as an inside ball winner, capable of prising first possession and combining his explosive speed with poise to distribute out of packs. Now, he's also genuine goal threat who has enhanced his forward craft and can impact with strong overhead marks.
Cumming's consistency is part of what makes him such a reliable prospect. Across 15 SANFL Under 18 appearances in the last two seasons, he has dipped below 20 disposals just twice, highlighting his elite ball winning acumen. Part of what keeps him in the game in his competitive nature, applying desperate two-way effort and scrapping for possession at each contest. It lends to his high work rate, but is only one aspect of it.
The other facet of Cumming's work rate is his running power. He has always been a bull on the inside with quick feet to step to the outer, or the strength to break tackles and shrug his way out of congestion. But Cumming has also been developing his ability to accumulate in all parts of the ground. His elite training standards have allowed for that improvement, and helped uncover the versatility to chop out as a high forward or dangerous deep option.
Cumming's weapons forward of the ball include his gutsy overhead marking and consistent scoring record. He posted an 89cm running vertical jump in preseason and is capable of competing for pack marks. That attribute aids his ability to kick goals, which Cumming has done regularly across all levels this year. In all, he's a high-impact type who previously just racked up the ball, but now can cut up the opposition in a variety of ways.
Further improvement will come as Cumming continues to refine his skills. His kicking technique can look a little awkward at times and there were stages where Cumming struggled to execute under pressure. He's quite neat in the short range and can pick out targets, but being able to consistently deliver on the run or in tight spots will only make him more dangerous. He is already quite apt at doing so by hand, so can add that string to his bow.
AFL U18 Championships
Season Team K HB D M CP UP T HO CLR I50 R50 GL GM K H D M HO T G DC
2024 South Australia 11 12 23 9 14 12 10 0 2 5 2 1 2 5.5 6.0 11.5 4.5 0.0 5.0 0.5 54
2025 South Australia 31 37 68 14 18 48 13 0 5 13 3 4 4 7.8 9.3 17.0 3.5 0.0 3.3 1.0 69
Total - 42 49 91 23 32 60 23 0 7 18 5 5 6 7.0 8.2 15.2 3.8 0.0 3.8 0.8 123
DRAFT RANGE: 5-15
SUMMARY:
The powerful and impactful midfielder-forward is a highly desirable archetype in current day football, and that’s exactly the mould Cumming fits into. His competitive nature won over recruiters heading into the season and his remaining skillset took over in match situations. Having developed his outside game and ability to hit the scoreboard, Cumming’s explosive contest work is not the only way he can hurt the opposition. A club like Essendon may be inclined to have a look with their dual top-10 selections, otherwise Cumming won’t be on the board much longer on night one with the likes of Greater Western Sydney lurking.
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/samuel-cumming/
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South Aussie Select with Sam Cumming
By Zac Milbank
November 7, 2025
Sam Cumming certainly wasn’t satisfied.
North Adelaide’s tough teenager displayed plenty of promise in his Hostplus SANFL League debut against premier Sturt, collecting 16 disposals and looking at home playing against men.
But that was just a taste of what was to come seven days later when he tore apart South Adelaide in his second senior match, finishing with 21 disposals, five marks, five tackles, five clearances and three goals to well and truly place himself on the AFL Draft radar.
Measuring in at a deceptive 186cm, Cumming not only hit the scoreboard in impressive fashion against the Panthers in Port Pirie but also showcased his field-kicking skills.
Modelling his game on Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney, the 18-year-old told the South Aussie Select podcast that playing against men from the age of 14 whilst representing Wentworth in the highly-competitive Sunraysia Football League based in Mildura.
Cumming was extremely motivated to move to boarding school soon after, making the decision to join Prince Alfred College and SANFL’s Roosters to realise his AFL dream.
One of just 12 players to already receive an invite to attend the AFL Draft night in Melbourne, Cumming has been tipped for selection towards the back end of the top 10.
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/P3cWqJc4E1U/mqdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3cWqJc4E1U)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3cWqJc4E1U
https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/south-aussie-select-with-sam-cumming/
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“Went forward and was damaging”: AFL Draft prospect’s forward focus pays dividends
Jonty Ralphsmith
Zerohanger
October 23, 2025
North Adelaide prospect Sam Cumming looms as a potential top-10 pickup at the AFL Draft in November.
An All-Australian part of South Australia's victorious U18s National Championships campaign, Cumming's acumen in the midfield is well established and he has become a much more potent front half threat in 2025.
Starting forward for South Australia throughout much of the carnival, he proved a difficult matchup with his power and strength making him a dual threat in the air and on the ground.
(https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2219123694/photo/marsh-afl-national-championships-u18-boys-south-australia-v-victoria-metro.jpg?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=D_xww9Hox2299wbsRv3FHTHvDI-uycGEX2CindZ-kkc=)
Speaking to Craft of the Draft earlier in the season, Cumming said a goal of his was to improve his forward craft and he was given every opportunity to succeed before a shoulder injury cut his season short.
Recruiters got an entrée of that ability in a four goal game for North Adelaide early in the season, while he also showed his wares playing school footy for Prince Alfred College and averaged a goal per game for South Australia.
Cumming also played four senior games for the Roosters this year, averaging 13 disposals, three clearances and three tackles as he showed great promise in the midfield mix.
“We had a plan in place for him and he nailed it, achieving everything he wanted to this year,” Roosters coach Mitch Clisby said.
“We saw his strengths on show in those league games where he got a best on ground and showed his strength around the contest and competitiveness and went forward and was damaging.”
“We were really pleased with his progression as a forward – he's s a hard player to matchup on because one-on-one he's so strong and overhead, he's so powerful.”
(https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2154168184/photo/marsh-afl-championships-u18-boys-2024-south-australia-v-allies.jpg?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=c_hm6CO3tiy8GEcV6Py6GkIO189ls_P2kcrH9YJYr38=)
His ability to slot in seamlessly followed the teenager playing local senior footy for Wentworth, the same junior club that GWS Giant Jack Ough hails from, as a 15-year-old, with those experiences giving him an insight into what it takes to play against men.
“Going up against bigger bodies has certainly held me in good stead,” Cumming told Craft of the Draft earlier in 2025.
“It was awesome to just watch how everyone prepares and the training standards.
“Being part of the grand final team, it was special to see what it meant to everybody especially being so young, so it was a real eye opener.
“I think we had 10,000-15,000 at the grand final which is the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of.”
Cumming then got an insight into life on an AFL list when training with Port Adelaide in pre-season, with Connor Rozee one he learned off in particular.
“Connor opened his arms a little bit and brought me in and taught me the ways to be an AFL footballer and his footwork is unbelievable,” Cumming recalled.
“The way he gets on the move at stoppage and has the agility and power to burst from packs and being able to find a target from that.”
He moved to Adelaide's prestigious Prince Alfred College ahead of last year, with North Adelaide nurturing his development in that time.
Roosters teammate and fellow draft prospect Blake Oudhsoorn-Bennier gave an insight into what he'll provide an AFL club.
“He's just an explosive player who has got good fundamentals,” Oudshoorn-bennier said.
“He's got good fundamentals; a good left foot, right foot and very good in the air and plays taller than he is.”
“I think he's the ultimate professional as well when it comes to being an athlete.
“He looks after himself off the field, but then when it's trainings and games, he really drives those standards.”
https://www.zerohanger.com/went-forward-and-was-damaging-afl-draft-prospects-forward-focus-pays-dividends-170211/
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Sam Cumming wins 2024 SANFL U18 MVP
By Zac Milbank
September 15, 2024
Prolific North Adelaide midfielder Sam Cumming has become the fourth Rooster to win the SANFL U18 MVP Award.
Displaying a penchant for hunting the Sherrin across his 10 appearances in 2024, Cumming averaged 27 disposals, six marks and four clearances while also hitting the scoreboard with 11 goals.
Cumming got his campaign off to a red-hot start, nominated for the MVP Award in Round 1 after collecting 21 disposals, laying 10 tackles and booting three goals in a win against Norwood.
Featuring for South Australia in two matches across this year’s AFL U18 National Championships, the 17-year-old joins Liam Jacka (2013), Harrison Magor (2019) and Billy Dowling (2022) as those from Prospect to be recognised.
Cumming was one of three North players to receive a SANFL U18 MVP nomination throughout the minor round, joined by fellow Rooster midfielders Oliver Francou and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier.
Originally from the Wentworth District Football Club in New South Wales, Cumming receives a trophy and $1000 courtesy of SANFL.
Introduced in 2009, the MVP Award is presented to the best performing player in the SANFL Under-18 Competition.
One player is nominated for the Award each round throughout the home-and-away season, with the overall winner selected by a panel of judges chaired by SANFL Head of Talent Brenton Phillips at the conclusion of the minor round.
North Adelaide’s Sam Cumming receives his SANFL U18 MVP award from SANFL Head of Talent Brenton Phillips. Picture – Peter Argent
2024 SANFL U18 MVP Nominees
Round 1 – Sam Cumming (North Adelaide)
Round 2 – Jevan Phillipou (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 3 – Ryan Lane-Ellis (Central District)
Round 4 – Ned Atkinson (Sturt)
Round 5 – Jacob Newton (Norwood)
Round 6 – Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Round 7 – Phoenix Hargrave (South Adelaide)
Round 8 – Sam Waltham (Sturt)
Round 9 – Kobee Dabinett (Sturt)
Round 10 – Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
Round 11 – Cameron Nairn (Central District)
Round 12 – Zac Schwarz (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 13 – Thomas McKay (Glenelg)
Round 14 – Tate Delmenico (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 15 – Oliver Francou (North Adelaide)
Round 16 – Ayden Hodgson (West Adelaide)
Round 17 – Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide)
Round 18 – Charlie West (Woodville-West Torrens)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6D0lzAjzG2Y/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D0lzAjzG2Y)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D0lzAjzG2Y
https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/sam-cumming-wins-2024-sanfl-u18-mvp/
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Sam Cumming - Senior SANFL Debut - Round 12
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4B2rjV30smk/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2rjV30smk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2rjV30smk
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First moments as a Tiger 🐯#afl #richmond
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTrSrVle9DOLzvSLDc0kHIeuGn52qiBF0WV0Q&s) (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1zmkaqkS04g)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1zmkaqkS04g
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I must admit I don't follow the SA boys as close as the Vic boys, so Sam is a bit of a surprise. Out of the 2, however reading up and watching highlights, he's an impressive kid. To have a nomination in his bottom age year ahead of both Draper (top age) and Sharp speaks volumes. And he's been rated in the system for a while.
Draft combine data excellent, fits a need. In an even draft he's a solid pick, who will compliment Lalor, Smillie really well. No frills, job done type player looking forward to seeing him play.
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Pick 7 (Richmond) - Sam Cumming
-- MID/FWD, 183cm
Jasper Chellappah: "There isn't a flaw to the midfielder's game, whose tenacity at the coalface, athleticism in space and skill execution under pressure make him a rare blend of contested beast and damaging forward-half talent. Cumming is unselfish and team-oriented, garners rave character reviews and could in time become a high-flying midfielder that dominates opponents."
Traits similar to: Sam Durham
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/47025333/afl-draft-2025-bids-trades-chaos-made-first-round
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Cumming ready to 'compete' with the elite
Richmond draftee, Sam Cumming, is poised to hit the ground running as he starts his career at the Swinburne Centre.
By Henry Milic
Richmond Media
Nov 20, 2025
A night where dreams were realised.
For Richmond draftee Sam Cumming, a lifelong ambition of becoming a professional footballer finally came true, when the Club selected him with the seventh pick of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft on Wednesday night.
Fresh off his high school graduation, Cumming was in complete elation when AFL CEO Andrew Dillon read out his name.
“It was a genuine surprise. I knew Cal Twomey was pretty good on the predictor, so I had a bit of an idea, and that late flight to Mildura to visit gave a little bit of an indication,” Cumming told SEN moments after he was drafted.
“But they didn’t give anything away until the cameras came up five seconds before.
“Even when they came up on Friday, they (Richmond) sold the dream of that you play on the MCG on a Friday night, then you walk back to Punt Road for a function after, so yeah, I’m super excited to get stuck into it.”
The bull at a gate midfielder/forward expressed his excitement to join the next crop of Tigers and is confident that his competitive nature will contribute to the side’s success.
“I’m just a real competitor. I don’t really like to lose very much,” Cumming said.
“(I bring) that real tough edge, and I like to go out in every game with the mindset of just having a crack.
“I’m definitely excited to get stuck into training with all those boys, and I think we can build a really good culture and take that a long way.
“They have a great young group coming through, and I think Sam (Grlj) and I can add to that, and hopefully it doesn’t take too long to get back up to the top.”
Originally hailing from Wentworth, New South Wales, Cumming moved to South Australia for boarding school, where he played in the SANFL competition with North Adelaide.
His strong form with South Australia's State team put him on the map, averaging 17 disposals, and he played a major role in its National Championship winning side.
Furthermore, Cumming enjoyed a dominant season with North Adelaide, highlighted by a standout Round 13 performance where he collected 21 disposals and booted three goals.
The 18-year-old thanked his former club for giving him the opportunity to grow his game throughout his junior career.
“They were massive, whether it was through 16s or 18s, and even in the league, just to give me a chance," Cumming said.
“They provided me with every opportunity to be one of the best players, so I’m really grateful for North Adelaide.”
Cumming will join Richmond’s playing group on Monday for the start of pre-season camp in Yarrawonga and the surrounding areas.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1932440/cumming-ready-to-compete-with-the-elite
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Sam Cumming has moved in with Kane McAuliffe.
VIDEO: https://x.com/Richmond_FC/status/1992876575126409393
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(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/12/08/44b93681-8631-4f8f-a703-e8679359149c/Sam-Cumming-Sam-Lalor-AFL-Training-December-8.jpg?height=500&width=500) (https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/12/08/fd7bf56e-1b41-446f-a0f7-d33aef9db1c4/Sam-Cumming-AFL-Training-December-8.jpg?height=500&width=500)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/albums/1940097/afl-training-december-8-2025?modal=true&type=gallery&playlistId=1940097&playlistSize=70#
Touchwood, the beginnings of a future gun midfield :pray.
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The size of Lalor.
Can't wait to see him again haha
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The size of Cumming. Geez. Can’t wait to see the our midfield when Tassie joins in 2028.
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(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/12/08/44b93681-8631-4f8f-a703-e8679359149c/Sam-Cumming-Sam-Lalor-AFL-Training-December-8.jpg?height=500&width=500) (https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/12/08/fd7bf56e-1b41-446f-a0f7-d33aef9db1c4/Sam-Cumming-AFL-Training-December-8.jpg?height=500&width=500)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/albums/1940097/afl-training-december-8-2025?modal=true&type=gallery&playlistId=1940097&playlistSize=70#
Touchwood, the beginnings of a future gun midfield :pray.
Hopefully there are at least three others we can throw into that midfield mix in McAuliffe talk about size Smillie and Hotton.
Gunna be fun watching them all go around in 2028 or 2029 just need to keep adding to them now as Taranto Hopper and Prestia will be either gone or past it depth is now the mantra imo.