Richmond’s first game of the JLT Community Series saw some strong performances by their up-and-coming rookies as the Tigers defeated Melbourne by 12 points in Shepparton.
Noah Balta – who was a part of the fold at Punt Road last season – was the Tigers’ most impressive player and made a claim to be selected for Round 1 against Carlton. The big-bodied Balta gathered 18 touches and could be the next big swingman at the club, playing a handy role in the ruck as well as up forward. Balta kicked two goals and showed plenty of run-and-carry through the middle.
The other first-gamers Riley Collier-Dawkins and Jack Ross started slowly in their first real taste of AFL football. Collier-Dawkins had six touches for the day but showed plenty of promise with a good run and a good intensity to attack the ground ball and chase a hard ball get.
Riley Collier-Dawkins. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The Tigers did find it hard adapting to the new 6-6-6 formation to start. Ivan Soldo began in the ruck with Toby Nankervis starting up forward to try new things. At times Soldo did look a little out of his depth playing as the main ruck for most of the game and struggling to keep up with the pace of the game.
The new formation looks to be favouring Richmond’s game style, despite the critics that said they would struggle due to their lack of on-ball rovers. Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Brandon Ellis forming the spine of the centre six was fantastic.
The room that opens up for Martin to run in the corridor will be dangerous come Round 1. Dusty did suffer what looked to be a knee issue after landing awkwardly late in the second quarter. Martin was moved to the forward line shortly after where he kicked two in quick succession, relieving most Richmond supporters watching on.
Melbourne had a lot of good moments and were unlucky to go down by 12 points in the end. Sam Weideman will be a good replacement for Jesse Hogan in the forward line. Weideman kicked two goals and had a strong body presence up forward, making sure he wasn’t bullied too much in the marking contest.
Melbourne face Brisbane next week in the second and final week of there JLT pre-season competition and Richmond travel down south to face Hawthorn in Tasmania.
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