David King is still making his way around AFL club pre-season training, this time stopping by Punt Road.
Richmond would be one of the more fascinating teams in the competition given the ending of the Damien Hardwick era and Adem Yze’s first summer at the helm.
King was impressed with a few developing youngsters in the match simulation training.
“(Thomson) Dow brilliant handball from inside traffic to outside runners, generally #4 (Dustin Martin), who was awesome as per usual,” King tweeted.
“(Rhyann) Mansell should be a consistently (very) good AFL player, showed some brilliance around stoppage and charging (forward) into space. Hit the scoreboard.”
“James Trezise, something there at half back - started well in the main team.
“(Shai) Bolton, looked uninterested, but flexed for 10 minute patch of brilliance.
“(Steely) Green, I’m a fan. Could be in the (Liam) Baker mould.
“(Jacob) Hopper huge 2nd half - big year coming.
“(Josh Gibcus was) solid - kicking needs to flatten out a little bit.
“(Kane McAuliffe) Apparently BOG last week - looks good - love the left foot!”
King was a little more cautious on a trade period recruit: “(Jacob) Koschitzke … not sure. Can’t be dropping lace outers...”
On their game-plan:
“Appeared to be longer kicking, much less handball than other teams. Are they good enough by foot to play that way?” King added.
“All in all, as expected. Top line talent in good order, despite a few very good ones on the sidelines.”
King’s thoughts on the Tigers drew a cheeky reply from Kane Cornes:
“Bottom 4?” Cornes asked.
“I’ve missed you,” King replied.