Richmond has made one change to the team to take on Gold Coast this weekend, handing an AFL debut to half-back flanker Derek Eggmolesse-Smith.
Eggmolesse-Smith, standing at 180cm and 80kg, was the first Next Generation Academy player drafted to Richmond, taken in the 2018 Rookie Draft.
The 21-year-old is averaging 19 disposals per game in the VFL where he has impressed with his dash and accuracy by foot.
Eggmolesse-Smith was promoted from Richmond’s Categroy B Rookie List to the Primary List this week after key defender Alex Rance was placed on the long-term injury list as he continues to recover from a ruptured ACL.
The Richmond debutant will start on the bench and comes in to the side to replace the injured Josh Caddy who will miss the match with a leg complaint.
Saturday’s match at Metricon Stadium will kick off at 2:10pm, with the NEAFL to play a curtain raiser starting at 10:15am.
Richmond’s Round 16 team:
B David Astbury, Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes
HB Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Jason Castagna
HF Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Kane Lambert
F Shane Edwards, Sydney Stack, Tom Lynch
Foll Ivan Soldo, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin
I/C Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Jack Graham, Brandon Ellis, Mabior Chol
Emg Maverick Weller, Jack Higgins, Connor Menadue, Callum Coleman-Jones
In: Derek Eggmolesse-Smith
Out: Josh Caddy (leg)
New: Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Wentworth (NSW)/Bendigo U18)
