Bigoa Nyuon will debut for Richmond this weekend.
The 20-year-old defender will play at AFL level for the fist time against Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday having honed his craft in the VFL since he was drafted in 2019.
Of South Sudanese background and born in Kenya, the athletic Nyuon - affectionately known as ‘Biggie’ - found his way to Punt Road via the Dandenong Stingrays and the St Kilda Academy.
Riewoldt admits his senior teammates are looking forward to what the “big unit” can bring after thoroughly earning his spot in Damien Hardwick’s side.
“He has earned his spot big time,” Riewoldt said on SEN Tassie.
“He was a chance of being pre-selected to St Kilda, he was an academy player, Richmond bid on him and then he came along.
“He’s sort of just been finding his way, finding his body, he’s had a few shoulder issues, but he is a big unit.
“He’s turned himself into a very good player. He’s very good above his head, extremely quick and we are very excited for what young Biggie has to bring.”
Nyuon has averaged close to 13 disposals and seven marks across six VFL matches this season.
The 197cm backman was delisted late last year before he was re-selected in the 2021 Rookie Draft.
He replaces fellow youngster Josh Gibcus, who is out of the team for health and safety protocols, joining triple premiership stars Nick Vlastuin and Dion Prestia who return.
Nyuon becomes the club’s second debutant in 2022 behind Gibcus.