Former basketballer, Oliver Hayes-Brown, will play his first game at AFL level on Sunday, after Richmond handed him a debut for the Round 5 Gather Round clash against Greater Western Sydney at Barossa Park.
Hayes-Brown won a call-up after strong form for the Tigers in the VFL. He tallied 19 hitouts, 23 disposals and 10 clearances last week's Round 3 win against St Kilda at RSEA Park, and in the Round 1 defeat of Southport at Kinetic Stadium, Hayes-Brown finished with 17 touches, 12 marks and 15 hitouts.
Richmond's VFL coach, Jack Madgen, was full of praise for Hayes-Brown's performance last weekend.
"He had an exceptional game in the ruck. He just continues to get better with each game he plays, and he had a positive impact," Madgen said post-match.
Standing at 208cm, Hayes-Brown was a talented basketballer, competing at the college level with UC Riverside before spending two seasons as a development player in the NBL with the Perth Wildcats.
The 25-year-old is in his third year at Tigerland, after joining as a Category B rookie in September 2023.
"I have always loved my footy, and I have got to an age now where I thought if I don't switch now, I never will," Hayes-Brown said at the time.
"There is a great group of guys here, and just being a part of the Richmond Football Club is super amazing."
Hayes-Brown becomes the Tigers' second debutant of 2026, after Sam Grlj played his first game in the Round 1 loss to the Blues at the MCG.
