Richmond will unveil its second debutant of 2020 when Thomson Dow runs out in the yellow and black in Round 14.
The Bendigo Pioneers product, who was selected wth pick 21 in the 2019 National Draft, will line up against West Coast at Metricon Stadium tonight.
For Tigers fans who don’t know much about him, Damien Hardwick spoke of what they can expect from the 18-year-old.
“He’s a genuine inside mid,” Hardwick told reporters.
“He probably reminds us of a Shane Edwards type. Very good in and around traffic, he’s got elite hands, can win the ball, can follow up.
“Look, he’s got some learnings of the game and how we play the game that will certainly come through experience but we are going to see a player through the middle of the ground that will do some nice things with the ball. He’ll set up others, he’s very good around clearance and he can use the ball well.
“It’s going to be exciting for our fans to see him on the big stage.”
Hardwick is aware that taking on a quality side like the Eagles will be a baptism of fire for the younger brother of Carlton’s Paddy but is confident he has the maturity to deal with it.
“He’s going to get a fair initiation with one of the form sides in the competition in the West Coast Eagles. Obviously they’ve got a terrific midfield,” he added.
“We think he can learn on the run. We think he’s going to be a really good player for us over a long period of time so we are really happy to give him the opportunity.
“There’s a couple of other players who are very close as well. Riley Collier-Dawkins is banging down the door. He’s got a slight shoulder injury at the moment but he was very close also.
“So we are really pleased to give those guys the opportunity to play at the highest level.”
Dow played in both of Richmond’s Marsh Community Series games way back in early March.
The Tigers will also welcome back two-time premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis for the crunch clash with the Eagles with Sydney Stack (hip) and Mabior Chol (omitted) going out of the side.
Richmond currently occupies fifth position while the Eagles are fourth in what is a significant encounter for the make-up of the top four.