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Tigers draw first blood
We’re off and running at Marvel Stadium and as speculation swirls on Dustin Martin’s impending retirement, the great man opens the scoring – with a behind against the Kangaroos.
But the Tigers were able to quickly make amends. Steely Green kicked the first goal of the match from 35m dead in front.
Richmond lead the Kangaroos by eight points.
Richmond president speaks on Martin future
Richmond president John O’Rourke says club legend Dustin Martin will be given time and space to make a call on his future.
Speculation has swirled all year that the triple-premiership player and three-time Norm Smith medallist would hang up the boots this year. The reclusive Martin could make a decision at any moment.
Dustin Martin returned to face the Kangaroos.Credit: Getty Images
No one would begrudge him that. Martin, 33, has done it all – 301 games, three flags, a brownlow, two Jack Dyer medals and three Norm Smith medals.
Speaking on SEN today, O’Rourke would not be drawn on Martin’s future. He said the club would leave him alone to make the decision.
“Dustin, we are giving him his own time and his own space,” the Tiger president said. “He’ll make his own decision and he is entitled to do that in the next few weeks when he is ready.
“His 300th was a marvellous occasion, which I think he appreciated, but we will see what happens there in terms of his future.”
Martin was brought back into today’s clash against North Melbourne after missing the past four weeks with a back injury, suffered against Carlton in round 17.
He played his 300th game at the MCG against Hawthorn in round 16, and has played just 12 matches this year.
There has also been talk that he would look to join former coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast to see out his career. That is shaping as less likely.
O’Rourke also touched on the future of several other senior Richmond players. He said Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton were contracted and required players, while out-of-contract Liam Baker had a big decision to make over whether to stay at Punt Rd or return to Western Australia.
“We love him, he is a required player but we also understand the pull to home.”
O’Rourke backed in coach Adem Yze, saying it had been a disappointing year but the silver lining had been able to give young Tigers 8-10 senior games. He said the club saw Yze as a five-to-10-year coach.
How the Kangaroos and Tigers line up today
North Melbourne v Richmond, Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm
North Melbourne
FB: [4] Aidan Corr, [30] Charlie Comben, [32] Toby Pink
HB: [34] Jackson Archer, [3] Harry Sheezel, [11] Luke McDonald
C: [8] Bailey Scott, [9] Luke Davies-Uniacke, [10] Colby McKercher
HF: [13] Darcy Tucker, [43] Brynn Teakle, [15] Dylan Stephens
F: [25] Paul Curtis, [20] Nick Larkey, [44] Cameron Zurhaar
FOL: [38] Tristan Xerri, [24] Tom Powell, [12] Jy Simpkin
IC: [2] Jaidyn Stephenson, [29] Will Phillips, [40] Eddie Ford, [7] Zane Duursma
SUB: Robert Hansen Jr
Richmond
FB: [35] Nathan Broad, [21] Noah Balta, [46] Ben Miller
HB: [36] James Trezise, [1] Nick Vlastuin, [17] Daniel Rioli
C: [13] Hugo Ralphsmith, [3] Dion Prestia, [41] Sam Banks
HF: [31] Rhyan Mansell, [7] Liam Baker, [48] Steely Green
FF: [29] Shai Bolton, [4] Dustin Martin, [20] Jacob Koschitzke
FOL: [25] Toby Nankervis, [14] Tim Taranto, [22] Jacob Hopper
IC: [15] Jayden Short, [30] Tom Brown, [44] Seth Campbell, [34] Jack Graham
SUB: Kamdyn McIntosh
Umpires: Jeff Dalgleish (7), Paul Rebeschini (31), Matthew Young (38), James Strybos (43)
What’s at stake for Tigers and Roos after today
By Marc McGowan
The winner of today’s Richmond-North Melbourne clash will climb clear of the bottom of the ladder. Both sides have had just two wins to date this season.
So, what is at stake in terms of the draft?
There are two consensus views on this year’s AFL draft class.
The first is it’s an exciting and very deep crop, and the second is there is no surefire No.1 selection, 12 months after Harley Reid was the clear standout prospect at the top of the draft.
Here are our top 30 prospects based on discussions with recruiters from 10 clubs, and factors including this year’s AFL under-18 championships, performance across all levels, potential, attributes, and injuries that may have impacted them.
Carlton’s father-son Camporeale twins – Ben and Lucas – Harry O’Farrell, Charlie Nicholls, Giants Academy ruckman Logan Smith and Ned Bowman are among those to miss out, while there is a new No.1 …
Top draft prospects Levi Ashcroft, Jagga Smith, and Sid Draper.Credit: Wayne Taylor, AFL Photos. Artwork: Matt Davidson
1. Jagga Smith
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Position: Midfielder, Height: 181cm, Born: 28/1/2006
Under-18 championships stats (average): 29.3 disposals, 13.8 contested possessions, 6.8 clearances
The midfield rubber man, who constantly weaves his way out of trouble at stoppages, is an extraordinarily gifted ball-winner. Smith won at least 28 disposals in all seven of his games for the Chargers this year, and gathered between 23 and 37 touches across four appearances at the championships. He has continually proven his slender frame won’t be an issue against men, most recently for Richmond’s VFL team, and the belief is he could play in the AFL immediately. He ticks almost every box in an on-baller’s job description.
Check out McGowan’s list of 30 draft hopefuls HERE.
Pies ‘guarantee’ Kelly’s job
By Jake Niall
Collingwood have guaranteed the position of embattled chief executive Craig Kelly until the court action instigated by a former employee, who alleges racially inappropriate language and conduct by the CEO, has been completed.
The Magpies also said they had not reached a settlement with Mark Cleaver, Collingwood’s former head of First Nations strategy, because they did not wish to pay the former employee “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to settle the lawsuit, which is essentially a wrongful dismissal case from this year.
Collingwood Football Club chief executive Craig Kelly.Credit: AAP
In response to the embarrassing series of allegations that became public this week via Cleaver’s legal action in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the Magpies doubled down in their backing of their CEO, who has not spoken publicly since the allegations were aired via reporting of the court documents.
Asked if Kelly’s position was “guaranteed” until the Cleaver matter was resolved, a club spokesperson said: “Yes.” This stronger endorsement follows president Jeff Browne’s backing of Kelly’s position on Wednesday.
The AFL has sidestepped the allegations, by deeming the Cleaver claim a workplace matter for Collingwood, rather than one that the league needs to take action on under its rules.
Read the full story here.
Welcome to Saturday football
Hello, footy lovers. What a day we have ahead. My name is Danny Russell, and I’ll be working you through a cracking Saturday of AFL.
We start with Richmond (18th) taking on North Melbourne (17th) at Marvel Stadium – the battle of the bottom. Then we cross to Geelong (7th) where the Cats host Adelaide (15th).
Tonight, we have an intriguing double header. Collingwood (11th) and Carlton (5th) lock horns at the MCG for Scott Pendlebury’s 400th game, while Port Adelaide (8th) host top-placed Sydney (1st).
