A Geelong flavour for Richmond’s debutants on Thursday night against Carlton.
The Tigers announcing that Geelong Grammar’s number one pick Sam Lalor will make his AFL debut following a recent concussion and injury.
Coach Adem Yze praised Lalor in a recent podcast.
“He’s just a great character and a great teammate,” he said.
“He’s so diligent. He wants to be the best player he can be, and we’re starting to see that. He hasn’t done a pre-season (previously), he’d normally play cricket in his off-season.
“He’s just done it all on pure talent. He was so unlucky getting hurt when he did but even seeing how quick he’s recovering and responding to that, it’s been enormous.”
The Tigers also debuting Luke Trainor – grandson of Geelong legend Doug Wade.
Yze spoke highly of Trainor to the Herald Sun.
“His pre-season kind of deserves the opportunity, and we wanted to give him that exposure against Collingwood (in the community series), so we did that and he came on and just fits in nicely,” he said.
“To be fair, he has got an experienced back group around him, so it’s a lot easier to throw him in there with the support around him, but we’ve got a younger forward profile.”
The Tigers play Carlton on Thursday night to open round one.
