Taj Hotton [merged]

[ajGreen]

Yes, we all struggle with English comprehension and are interpreting your post wrong. That is most definitely the most likely explanation 

It's very obvious it was a reference to the future.

Richmond obliterated when Vlastuin went down.

Only delaying the rebuild by keeping him to plug the holes.

It'll be the same problem just 2-3 years from now.

You also miss out on a valuable asset when the club most needs it.

[WilliamPowell]

One of the flickering bright lights on the bleakest of days.

Flashed in and out but one of the only positives today

Was good to see him get a run in the middle, granted far too late but at least he got moved there.

[Tiger Khosh]

One of the flickering bright lights on the bleakest of days.

Flashed in and out but one of the only positives today

Was good to see him get a run in the middle, granted far too late but at least he got moved there.

Need more of him, Lalor, Smillie + our 2 picks this year in the midfield next year.

Atleast 1 of those 5 should always be in there. TT + Hopper + Prestia should never all be in there at the same time.

[WilliamPowell]

Need more of him, Lalor, Smillie + our 2 picks this year in the midfield next year.

Atleast 1 of those 5 should always be in there. TT + Hopper + Prestia should never all be in there at the same time.

We were saying exactly the same thing at the game

[Simonator]

One of the flickering bright lights on the bleakest of days.

Flashed in and out but one of the only positives today

Was good to see him get a run in the middle, granted far too late but at least he got moved there.

Need more of him, Lalor, Smillie + our 2 picks this year in the midfield next year.

Atleast 1 of those 5 should always be in there. TT + Hopper + Prestia should never all be in there at the same time.

Been saying that all year. Extremely discouraged by this midfield group

[ajGreen]

McAuliffe, smillie, lalor were hurt and hotton is coming back from a knee.

There's not many options

[Damo]

McAuliffe, smillie, lalor were hurt and hotton is coming back from a knee.

There's not many options

Exactly

[Tiger Khosh]

McAuliffe, smillie, lalor were hurt and hotton is coming back from a knee.

There's not many options

Exactly

Let’s not pretend that when those guys have been available that yze wasn’t still spamming the TT, Hopper and Prestia combo.

[ajGreen]

McAuliffe, smillie, lalor were hurt and hotton is coming back from a knee.

There's not many options

Exactly

Let’s not pretend that when those guys have been available that yze wasn’t still spamming the TT, Hopper and Prestia combo.

Yeah the nank/prestia/hop/TT middle stats are very high and look unbalanced compared to other lists.

More so when you consider only taranto has a long term future.

Even more dire when one considers Kamdyn McIntosh is about the next most CBA

McAuliffe 59%, Dow 44% and even lalor 20 odd % were getting a run there when fit. Not much they can do when everyone is hurt.

I think they have worked out Ross (34%) isn't going to be enough for a mid at afl level.

Hotton and Balta had their most Centre Bounce Attendance v North. maybe that is something to build on. Assuming lalor , smillie and McAuliffe get some luck with injury next season.

Overall I think it's a strong case for looking at sharp in the draft assuming wce don't take him one or two

[Damo]

More so when you consider only taranto has a long term future.

Hopper is basically the same age and his body has held up well this year.

[ajGreen]

More so when you consider only taranto has a long term future.

Hopper is basically the same age and his body has held up well this year.

Yep but at 29 next season you'd be a brave man to say hop will play a final with Richmond going forward.

I wouldn't want to be building with him in mind and I'd consider taranto on a hff.

[Andyy]

More so when you consider only taranto has a long term future.

Hopper is basically the same age and his body has held up well this year.

Yep but at 29 next season you'd be a brave man to say hop will play a final with Richmond going forward.

I wouldn't want to be building with him in mind and I'd consider taranto on a hff.

When are we predicting finals again?
3+ years?

Quite possible they're both around and kicking.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I have zero issues with experienced players continuing to be on our list. They, however, needed to be treated the same way as everyone else.
The only player with any zip and energy through the midfield on Sunday with T Hotton. Both parts exciting and embarrassing.

[one-eyed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSNNeAGOg58

Hotton hopeful for 2026 successes

By Henry Milic
RFC website
Nov 12, 2025

Taj Hotton has set his sights on a big 2026 campaign as the one to four year players returned to the Swinburne Centre for week one of pre-season.

The 19-year-old made his AFL debut in Round 18 in Richmond's win over Essendon and went on to hold his spot in the senior team for the remaining six games of the year.

With the majority of the playing group back together again, the silky-skilled forward is hopeful the side can continue its upward trajectory.

“I think everyone taking another step in their progression, we are all getting more comfortable playing together,” Hotton said.

“We should be able to make some really good improvements coming into 2026 and hopefully get some more wins next year.”

After successfully recovering from an ACL injury, Hotton excelled at the elite level, putting on an impressive showing against Collingwood in Round 20, recording 11 disposals, two tackles and two goals.

Hotton's focus is to stay available and continue to improve his game each week.

“To play some consistent footy and stay healthy as well,” he said.

“As a team, just to get some more wins on the board and make some good inroads to be a successful team in the future.”

Next season, he will be joined by his older brother Olli Hotton, who has signed with Richmond’s VFL list for 2026.

Hotton was asked in a fan Q&A how he would fare if he were to compete with his brother one-on-one.

“It depends, if it is in the air, he will probably win, he is a bit stronger than me, so he could probably push me out, but if the ball is on the ground, I think I would be quicker than him getting to it,” Hotton said.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1929010/hotton-hopeful-for-2026-successes

[the claw]

Need more of him, Lalor, Smillie + our 2 picks this year in the midfield next year.

Atleast 1 of those 5 should always be in there. TT + Hopper + Prestia should never all be in there at the same time.

We were saying exactly the same thing at the game

Some have been saying it since Taranto and Hopper arrived.

Funny how McAuliffe is hardly ever mentioned. Reckon he has shown some great glimpses and thats through some injury adversity.
We have to be thinking timmy and sir slips a lot are on thin ice and Dion  past it.

We need mids and more mids and when we have have them unlike now we need them to stay fit so we can actually replace the plodders.