Pick 12: Taj Hotton

[one-eyed]

First-round pick set to be Richmond’s ninth debutant

By Andrew Slevison
SEN
7 July 2025

Richmond is likely to blood a ninth 2025 debutant next weekend.

The Tigers have already had eight first-gamers this season which should increase against Essendon at the MCG next Saturday night.

Pick 12 from last year, Taj Hotton, has three VFL games under his belt after recovering from an ACL injury and is now ready to make his AFL debut, says AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich.

With no.1 draft pick Sam Lalor expected to miss the rest of the season with a significant hamstring injury, and with suggestions Jasper Alger has hurt his syndesmosis, another fresh face will make his way in as replacement.

“The good news for Richmond is I think we’ll see a debutant this Saturday night,” Gabelich said on SEN’s Fireball.

“A first-round pick from last November, Taj Hotton.

“They’ve been really conservative with Taj Hotton. He’s had three games back at VFL level. They really did resist the urge last weekend to play him.

“I think he’s going to come in and make his debut in Nick Vlastuin’s 250th against Essendon on Saturday night.”

Hotton had 24 disposals, eight tackles and kicked a goal in Sunday’s come-from-behind win over Geelong in the VFL.

The son of former Carlton and Collingwood player Trent has averaged 21 touches across his trio of state league appearances.

The talented Sandringham Dragons product had been touted as a top five draft pick last season before he injured his ACL, but the Tigers saw enough in him to take him in the first round.

Richmond’s eight debutant in 2025 are: Sam Lalor (Round 1), Harry Armstrong (Round 1), Luke Trainor (Round 1), Liam Fawcett (Round 2), Jonty Faull (Round 5), Campbell Gray (Round 7), Thomas Sims (Round 9), Jasper Alger (Round 15).

Only the Bombers, their Round 18 opponents, have had more first-gamers in season 2025 with 11.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/07/07/stuff-set-to-be-richmonds-ninth-debutant

[mat073]

Must play this week.

[pmac21]

Probably be held back another week knowing the medicos

[Simonator]

He will be in and is just about all we have to watch

[MintOnLamb]

They will probably play him as ruck

[TigerLand]

I'm an enormous fan of Taj, had him close to pick 1 pre knee injury.

I personally would play him all year in VFL playing 2-3 qtrs of footy. Medicos have spooked me, give him a full pre-season first. Unless the play him as s stupid sub, maybe but I just would ease him through the season with a plan to hit pre season running.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Not playing him because we are scared what might happen is classically where we are at as a club.