A host of Richmond's emerging cubs caught the eye at Wednesday evening's match simulation session as new coach Adem Yze looks to fine-tune his plans for 2024.
The session was split across 20-minute thirds, with two sides seemingly split into 'probables' vs 'possibles' outside of the midfield battle.
The probable, or yellow side, saw first-string ruckman and captain Toby Nankervis lead a starting engine room ensemble of Dustin Martin, Liam Baker and Thomson Dow against best and fairest winner Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Dion Prestia and new ruck recruit Sam Naismith.
Martin looked at his best once again, being a step ahead of those around him through the middle for the first block of the hitout before sitting out the remainder of the session to run laps and manage his workloads ahead of his 15th season in the black and white.
Prestia wasn't seen after the first 20 minutes with a reported hamstring concern, with the veteran pair's absence opening the floor for the likes of Dow, Jack Ross and draftee Kane McAuliffe.
Dow was the pick of the bunch with his inside work and link-up play, while Ross was prominent on the outside and in the front half to have an impact on the scoreboard and kick an early goal.
After amassing just the four appearances last year, Dow looks likely to slot into a senior role on a more consistent basis this season, much like Ross did last year. The duo will remain some place back in the pecking order however, with Jack Graham also impressing in the session.
Young utility Rhyan Mansell was the standout in the front half of the field for the opening two blocks, kicking three goals from plenty of looks he created while also handing off a couple more majors to teammates.
The Tasmanian was the most lively attacking Tiger for the first 40 minutes, likely booking his place in Yze's side for their Opening Round meeting with Gold Coast as Richmond look to settle on their forward plans.
With Martin, Liam Baker and Shai Bolton likely in line for increased midfield minutes, Mansell could be Tigers' leading full-time small forward this season.
Second-year goalsneak Steely Green led all goalkickers during the session with four majors for the 'possibles', keeping his side in the contest to fall just three points short against more senior opposition.
Green booted two in the final 20 minutes but it was Bolton who came alive after a quiet first two blocks, dancing through the opposition defence on a number of occasions to kick three goals for the evening.
Just three of the 19 goals were kicked by tall forwards, with the aforementioned Naismith booting one while drifting forward while the other two majors came from Supplemental Selection Period hopefuls Mykelti Lefau and Mitch Schofield.
Swingman Noah Balta failed to fire as the Tigers look to use the athletic defender as their focal point in attack, while recruit Jacob Koschitzke also struggled to have an impact.
The underwhelming result of the Balta-Koschitzke partnership against a backline consisting of mostly VFL-listed names could lead the Tigers to further argue the case of either Lefau or Schofield to be signed prior to the SSP signing deadline later this month.
At the other end of the field, dual premiership defender Jayden Short was a consistent cog in moving the ball up the ground, while 2023 Mid-Season Draft addition James Trezise also impressed with his rebounding efforts and overhead ability.
Third-year key defender Josh Gibcus looked comfortable after a year on the sidelines, having added size to his frame and remaining a good reader of the ball in the air.
The former first-round draft selection was on limited minutes during the session as he looks to return from a series of hamstring issues, but remains a key piece in defence given the absence of senior backmen Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin for the session.
Key forward Tom Lynch, utility Jacob Bauer and forward Matt Coulthard were also among those unable to take part in the session due to respective recovery programs.
