Richmond are set to blood their latest debutant on Thursday night against the Power, with hybrid threat Judson Clarke set to be handed a guernsey by the Punt Road selection committee.
Since being drafted with the 30th selection of the 2021 National Draft, the 18-year-old has spent the entirety of the 2022 season plying his trade between half-forward and the middle for the Tigers' VFL outfit.
And after producing means of 14.3 disposals and 1.2 majors across his nine outings in yellow and black, VFL head coach Steve Morris paid praise to the Dandenong Stingrays product.
"His ball-use just stands out at this level and he continues to play his role diligently which holds him in good stead going forward," Morris said of the left-footer.
The Yarra Valley Grammar graduate is currently stopping the tape at 180cm and tipping the scales at 72kgs.
Averaging 17.6 disposals across his five outings for the Stingrays last season, Clarke also earned a place in the NAB League Team of the Year and slotted five goals during an outing for Vic Country against Metro.
Clarke will follow the ilk of Josh Gibcus, Bigoa Nyuon and Noah Cumberland in earning their stripes so far this season.
While the young Victorian will earn his opportunity in greasy conditions before the Tiger Army, the club has reported that Jason Castagna, Maurice Rioliย and Jack Ross have all been dropped to the reserves to face Werribee at Punt Road on Wednesday night.
Richmond and Port Adelaide are set to do battle at the MCG to open Round 13, with the opening bounce scheduled for 7:20pm (AEST).
