Matthew Lloyd says reigning premiers Richmond were the most impressive side he saw play during the AAMI Community Series pre-season games.
On the back of all 18 teams featuring in their one and only official pre-season match before the season begins on March 18, Lloyd said it was the Tigers who caught his eye.
He said their attention to detail and willing to adopt a team-first mentality – even in a pre-season match – stood out.
“My best for the weekend was Richmond,” the Essendon great said on Sportsday.
“I thought their best was better than anyone else and they didn’t roll into it like a pre-season game – it was coming off the back of St Kilda versus Carlton (on Thursday night) which was a goal fest.
“In the first half when Richmond had their best team out there, you couldn’t get past (Dylan) Grimes and (the way) Trent Cotchin smothered a ball in the first (few minutes was telling).
“I watched Toby Nankervis give away a free kick and then ran 80 metres to get back into the hole in front of Mason Cox to fist it.
“I saw (Josh) Caddy and (Kamdyn) McIntosh played as wingers, they defended as they should.
“It was Richmond again saying that ‘we’ll do all the little things better than you’ and then you have guys like (Jason) Castagna who chipped in with their four goals.”
The Tigers defeated Collingwood by six points at Marvel Stadium, opting to rest a number of their stars in the second half as they look ahead to the traditional season-opener against Carlton on March 18.