Pick 1: Sam Lalor

[Hard Roar Tiger]

It takes as long as it takes. Not as if we are playing for sheep stations atm.

It would be great to see at the back end of the season Lalor, Smillie, Hotton McAuliffe in the one team with Gray Brown, Banks  Trainor Clarke Cambbell a few of the tall forwards Algar and any other kid that warrants a game.

Throw Taranto Prestia Hopper Lynch Balta Broad Vlastuin lefau all in the one team.

Great call

[one-eyed]

Yze confirmed the Club wouldn't be taking any risks with the number one draft pick.

“We won't rush anyone back. Sammy, (it’s) really minor, but it is an issue he had last year,” Yze said.

“It's the same spot as he hurt last year in the U18s. He’s already running, but in saying that, we've got the bye in between, so his time frame might look like it's five weeks, but he should only miss three games.

“We'll utilise the opportunity to get him fully fit to have a really strong back third of the season. There'll be no risk approach with Sammy.”

Source: RFC website

[one-eyed]

2. It can be a huge burden being the number one draft pick.

Matthew Richardson
The Nightly
29 May 2025

You endure so much more coverage than the very next pick. It seems absurd. Even though he sustained a slight hamstring strain last week I think Richmond nailed last year’s top pick by taking Lalor. He is close to being Richmond’s most composed player with ball in hand after just half a season. He is unselfish and humble and has future captain written all over him. I’m all in on Sam succeeding.

https://thenightly.com.au/opinion/sport/richos-top-10-richmond-tigers-should-trade-afl-draft-picks-2-and-3-for-west-coast-eagles-star-harley-reid-c-18853638

[one-eyed]

Sam Lalor injured his hamstring in Round 11 against Essendon, and has spent the past five weeks on the sidelines, but is pressing his case for a return this weekend, with Thursday's main training session a key indicator of his readiness.

"We'll make that decision later," Yze said.

"He's pretty much going to be available, he'll get through training, touch wood, and it's going to be based on training loads. We'll sit down with the fitness group (to assess) if he's done enough, and if they're 100 per cent confident that he's ready to play.

"It'll be a no-risk policy. If we feel like we take a safer option, and leave it for another week, and get another full week of training into him.

"He's moving well, he's training well. I'll be the first guy to put his magnet up there, but we won't do that hastily without obviously everyone agreeing to it."

https://www.zerohanger.com/no-risk-policy-richmond-weigh-up-recalling-draftee-as-star-youngsters-eye-vfl-return-164400/