Richmond youngster Sam Lalor is only going at "50 per cent", which should excite Tiger fans as he enters his second season at AFL level.
Lalor headed the club's 2024 draft haul, taken with Pick 1, and is still finding his feet at the top flight after spending large amounts of his junior career with a cricket bat and ball in hand.
However, mentor and Richmond leader Tim Taranto believes the former top pick hasn't even scratched the surface, and his moments of brilliance against Carlton in Round 1 is just the beginning.
"They've all got their own traits, which are pretty awesome," Taranto said on SEN.
"But it's hard to go past Lalor. I don't see any kid like him, to be honest. He's pretty special. And I reckon he's only at 50 per cent of what he's going to be.
"He's barely done any footy in his juniors. He's been a cricketer. He's probably been eating chocolate and hitting sixes, and now he's getting into his first pre-seasons and that's why he's at 50 per cent.
"You go another three, four years in the system, he's going to be scary."
Taranto is the connector between the young and the old at Punt Road, with a host of premiership Tigers such as Toby Nankervis, Tom Lynch, Nick Vlastuin, Nathan Broad and Jayden Short still donning the yellow sash.
However, the two-time Jack Dyer Medallist has taken upon himself to guide the next generation through the ranks, and he's excited by the prospect.
"It's bloody fun to watch from my position," Taranto added.
"Some of these kids are incredible talented, the world's their oyster.
"I guess it's my job to help them get the best out of themselves, because when they do, we'll be a dangerous team."
Taranto was added to Richmond's leadership group in 2025, and was promoted to to vice-captain, helping support Nankervis.
The former Giant also didn't shy away from the potential to lead the club as skipper, if the opportunity presented itself.
"Yeah I do," Taranto said.
"If that opportunity presented itself, I'd be happy to do that. It'd be awesome.
"We do a bit of work with (leadership). I got into the leadership group a couple years ago, and I was 26 at that stage, and probably didn't know what I was doing but we've got a great leadership team. And great opportunities to develop in that space.
"So, I'm always working on it. Working with different people as well as naturally growing as a leader. You get put in those scenarios more and more, they become more comfortable, and I'm really enjoying that space now. I'm finding that it's something I have found to love without expecting."
After a valiant loss to the Blues, the Tigers will look to get on the winner's list on Saturday, when they host Gold Coast at the MCG.
