Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
The young Tiger “knocking the door down” for an AFL debut
Andrew Slevison • June 19th, 2025 1:37 pm
- Seven Tigers have already debuted in 2025
- The club is in a rebuild
- More draftees could play at AFL level this year
- Senior coach Adem Yze speaks
Richmond has fielded seven debutants so far in 2025.
The rebuilding Tigers have already handed debuts to No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor, fellow first-round picks Jonty Faull, Luke Trainor and H__arry Armstrong__, second-rounder Thomas Sims as well as 2023 draftee Liam Fawcett and mid-season pick Campbell Gray.
Tigers fans have seen Josh Smillie and Jasper Alger strut their stuff at VFL level and in better news for the yellow and black, Taj Hotton is set to play at state league level for the first time after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in his draft year.
Senior coach Adem Yze spoke of the trio of draftees who are yet to debut, providing an update on Hotton as well as Smillie, the latter having nursed hamstring issues and is undergoing a training block.
“We have had a few (debutants) which is exciting for our footy club,” Yze said on SEN Breakfast.
“Taj Hotton is exciting. We recruited him after he did his knee early last year. He’s playing half a game for our VFL team this weekend, so he’s starting to integrate into some footy.
“He’s a highly talented kid and we can’t wait to see him doing what he does best.
“Josh Smillie is in a training phase right now. He’s two or three weeks away from being ready to play.”
One young Tiger who is close to an AFL debut is 183cm forward Jasper Alger.
Last year’s Pick 58 has kicked 15 goals in 10 VFL outings to lead the way for the Tigers while averaging a tick under 12 disposals.
“Jasper is knocking the door down,” said Yze of the 18-year-old.
“If he’s not in this week it won’t be too far away. He is deserving of the opportunity.
“He kicked another three goals on the weekend (before the bye). He’s looking almost ready to play AFL footy. If he doesn’t get in now, it won’t be too far away.
“The young boys have been a refreshing part of our footy club and the older boys have taken them on board and really enjoying their company.”
Forgotten Tigers defender Josh Gibcus was also on Yze’s lips.
The former Pick 9 has endured a wretched run with serious hamstring and ACL injuries, but he can now see the light for a possible 2025 return.
“He’s been training and is almost into full training now,” the Tigers head coach said of the 22-year-old.
“I think he’s only two or three weeks away from doing exactly what Taj is doing this week by integrating into some VFL footy.
“It’s really exciting. The poor kid has gone through a lot. But he’s a magnet that will go straight onto the board when he’s available. He’s highly talented, he’s such a good leader, he sees the game so well.
“He’s a great kid and we can’t wait to hopefully get him some luck.”
With a glut of talented youngsters, some class veterans and a group of developing players between 20 and 60 games, the Tigers are well set in their rebuild under Yze.
“We’re constantly looking at today or the now and also what’s next and understanding what we went through last year,” Yze added.
“We’ve got a heap of talent, we’ve got two first-round picks coming in at the end of this year.
“We’ve got Seth Campbell, Rhyan Mansell and Steely Green. We’ve got guys like Tyler Sonsie that have only played 30 games.
“Add that to the 10 new players we’ve got in within two seasons, we feel like we’ve got the guts or the foundation of our next premiership team by the end of this season for sure.”
After a week off with the bye, the Tigers return to action against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium this Sunday.
They currently sit 17th on the ladder with a 3-10 record.
