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Tigers hit track in style to kickstart 2026

Richmond returned to training in impressive fashion on Thursday.

By Richmond Media
Jan 8, 2026, 7:46 pm

With the Christmas and New Year’s break over, smiles and energy filled the Swinburne Centre on Thursday, as Richmond’s AFL list returned for the first training session of the year.

No time was wasted as the Tigers hit the ground running, with the Round 1 blockbuster against Carlton excitingly just over two months away.

After some skill sessions led by veterans Jayden Short and Tom Lynch, it was all eyes on the Bronco Run, back for 2026.

Jasper Alger led his pack, followed closely by Mykelti Lefau, both looking comfortable at high pace. Ruckman Ollie Hayes-Brown impressed, giving his all in the sprints, while Richmond’s youngest draftee, Zane Peucker, showed solid aerobic improvement from last year.

Dion Prestia was solid in his run, followed by Kaleb Smith and Steely Green, also looking confident in their strides.

It all came down to the final sprint, with draftee Sam Grlj pipping small forward Seth Campbell in an all-out gut run, much to the amusement of their teammates.

Patrick Retschko starred again, pushing through his sets with absolute ease and taking the win outright, followed closely by Green and Jack Ross.

For all those eagerly waiting for the update on what boots Retschko wore during the run, surprisingly, it was not his famous green boots, with the recruit opting for white ones instead.

Most impressive was the collective team Bronco improvement, with 16 personal best times recorded by the group, and three equal personal bests recorded.

Hugo Ralphsmith was back running at full speed, while Judson Clarke, who continues his ACL recovery, was locked in and participating in multiple sprint sessions as well as showing his face for some skills throughout the morning.

Nick Vlastuin also looked fit as he continued his return from his ankle surgery, running at speed around the oval, alongside Sam Banks.

Grlj and Sam Cumming dominated through fast hand drills, leaving their opponents in the dust as they showed off their summer running improvements.

Growth in size and speed for both Maurice Rioli and Green saw the pair dominating sprint drills, while James Trezise was tackling like his life depended on it in a full ground run through.

Attention turned to quick-thinking and decision making drills, with Harry Armstrong and Luke Trainor confident in their ball movement across the wing, promptly feeding the ball to a fit and firing Kane McAuliffe on the run, who is in ripping shape and form.

The draftees then hit the gym for their final session before heading off on their first-year camp in Lake Eildon, where they will work on their bonds and prepare for life as full-time footballers.

The squad worked through Melbourne’s January heatwave with ease, but it was their hunger, commitment and fitness that has everyone buzzing for what lies ahead this season.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1943559/tigers-hit-track-in-style-to-kickstart-2026