A Top 2024 Midseason Draft Pick Extends Lucrative Multi-Year Contract With the Richmond Tigers: “I Want to Play in the AFL Till My Last Breath”
When the Richmond Tigers took a chance on their top 2024 midseason draft pick, few could have predicted how quickly he would capture the hearts of fans — or how rapidly he would ascend into one of the club’s cornerstone players for the future. Now, less than a year later, the rising AFL star has inked a lucrative multi-year contract extension that will keep him in the yellow and black for years to come.
More than just a signing, the moment symbolizes a new chapter in Richmond’s ongoing evolution — a bridge between its storied championship past and its rapidly emerging new generation of talent.
With a passion that burns through every contest and a maturity beyond his years, the player — whose story began in the underdog circuits of regional Australia — made his intentions clear during a packed press conference at Punt Road Oval:
> “I want to play for the AFL till my last breath. Richmond gave me my shot when no one else did. This club is my family now.”
It’s a declaration that resonates deeply with Tigers fans who have watched their beloved club rise, fall, and rise again through the tides of AFL history. And as this young midfielder commits long-term to the Tigers, the message is simple: Richmond’s future is in capable hands.
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From Midseason Gamble to AFL Revelation
The AFL Midseason Draft of 2024 was unlike any other for Richmond. Coming off a turbulent start to the season — plagued by injuries and transitional challenges following the departure of several veterans — the Tigers needed an injection of energy, youth, and hunger.
Enter their midseason gem: a 20-year-old midfielder-forward hybrid from the VFL, whose dynamic playstyle, elite fitness, and relentless tackling instantly caught the eye of Richmond’s recruiting department.
Despite limited exposure, his raw ability and unwavering drive convinced Richmond’s list manager Blair Hartley and coach Adem Yze that he was worth the risk. Within weeks, the decision looked prophetic.
In his AFL debut, he collected 21 disposals, laid 8 tackles, and scored a goal — a breakout performance that injected hope and fire back into the Tigers’ campaign. From there, his form only soared. By season’s end, he had become a fixture in the lineup, earning AFL Rising Star nominations and the admiration of both teammates and fans.
> “We saw something special — not just in his game, but in his mindset,” Yze said. “He’s fearless, he listens, and he never stops working. That’s the DNA of a Tiger.”
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The Contract: Security, Faith, and the Future
The newly signed contract extension, reportedly valued in the seven-figure range over multiple years, locks the young gun in at Punt Road until at least the 2030 season. While financial terms were not officially disclosed, club insiders described the deal as a “statement signing” — one that affirms Richmond’s commitment to its next era of football.
For the player himself, the extension is more than financial security; it’s a symbol of belief.
> “Richmond believed in me before anyone else did,” he said. “This contract isn’t just about money — it’s about trust, loyalty, and giving back to the club that gave me everything.”
According to reports, several rival clubs had quietly expressed interest in luring the emerging star away at the end of 2025, but Richmond’s proactive move ensured those conversations ended before they began.
CEO Brendon Gale praised the signing as “the kind of long-term commitment that builds dynasties.”
> “We’re not just signing a player,” Gale said. “We’re reinforcing our culture. His passion, work ethic, and energy represent exactly what we want Richmond to stand for.”
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The Heartbeat of the Club
Within a single season, the player has gone from hopeful recruit to club favorite — and it’s not hard to see why. His fearless approach to contests, willingness to put his body on the line, and ability to lift teammates during tough games have made him the emotional spark Richmond has craved since its last premiership run.
Teammate Shai Bolton described him as “a game-changer.”
> “He plays with fire,” Bolton said. “You feel it every time he’s around the ball. He pushes us to be better — he reminds us what Richmond football is about.”
His combination of humility and intensity mirrors the club’s DNA, built on the legendary groundwork of players like Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, and Jack Riewoldt.
Though the young midfielder still refers to those figures as “idols,” he’s already beginning to craft his own leadership identity. His pre-game speeches, his after-match gratitude to fans, and his presence around the training ground have elevated morale across the locker room.
> “He’s young, but he carries himself like he’s been here for 10 years,” Yze said. “That’s something you can’t teach.”
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Life Beyond the Spotlight
Off the field, the Richmond star has become known for his humility and community engagement. He’s been spotted volunteering at junior clinics, participating in youth leadership programs, and mentoring under-18 players who dream of following in his footsteps.
His story — from being overlooked by multiple AFL academies to signing a long-term deal with one of the league’s proudest clubs — has inspired countless young athletes across Victoria and beyond.
> “If I can show one kid out there that it’s never too late to chase your dream, then I’ve done something right,” he said.
It’s this grounded perspective that has endeared him not just to Richmond supporters, but to the broader AFL community. In a sport increasingly shaped by contracts and commercialism, his authenticity feels refreshing — a reminder that passion still fuels the heart of the game.
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The Rise of a New Richmond Identity
Richmond’s dynasty years between 2017 and 2020 remain etched in AFL history — a period defined by unity, swagger, and unrelenting confidence. But in the seasons since, the Tigers have faced the challenge of transitioning from that golden generation into something new.
Coach Adem Yze, entering his second full season at the helm, has worked tirelessly to establish a fresh identity built around youth, flexibility, and fast-paced football. The extension of the 2024 midseason star fits perfectly into that blueprint.
> “We’re building around effort and connection,” Yze explained. “This group — with him leading from the front — represents the next era of Richmond football.”
Alongside emerging stars such as Josh Gibcus, Tyler Sonsie, Tom Brown, and Sam Banks, Richmond’s young core is taking shape. The mix of experienced veterans like Dustin Martin and Nick Vlastuin alongside rising energy has created a balanced squad capable of both competing and evolving.
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Statistically Speaking: Impact Beyond His Years
Numbers rarely tell the full story in football, but they certainly underline his impact.
In just 13 games during the 2024 season, he averaged:
22.6 disposals per game
7.4 tackles
5.8 clearances
1.1 goals per match
82% disposal efficiency
Those figures ranked him among the top 5 first-year players in tackles and inside-50s league-wide. Analysts praised his game sense — his ability to read stoppages, create space, and execute under pressure.
Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown described him as “a future All-Australian midfielder in the making.”
> “He’s not just a contested beast,” Brown said. “He’s got polish. His vision and composure in traffic are elite for someone his age.”
Richmond’s midfield, which has been searching for a long-term successor to Cotchin’s leadership, may have found its answer.
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The Mental Game: Why He Plays Like Every Game Is His Last
Perhaps the most defining feature of the young Tiger’s rise is his mental approach. Known for his pre-game rituals — listening to old Richmond highlights and visualizing himself in key moments — he admits that his motivation comes from gratitude.
> “I never forget that it could’ve gone the other way,” he said. “I was one call away from not making it. So now, every game feels like a gift. That’s why I play like it’s my last.”
His relentless attitude has earned respect across the league. Opponents describe him as “the hardest worker on the ground,” while teammates say his intensity lifts the group even in training.
Sports psychologist Dr. Peter Clarke, who has worked with multiple AFL clubs, believes this mindset is what will sustain his career long-term.
> “He’s not driven by fear of failure — he’s driven by purpose,” Clarke explained. “Players like that don’t just survive in the AFL; they thrive.”
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What the Deal Means for Richmond’s Future
The long-term extension represents more than just player retention — it’s a cultural statement. Richmond has reaffirmed its identity as a destination club, capable of nurturing stars from obscurity to greatness.
It also strengthens the Tigers’ midfield core for the next decade. With the emerging trio of the 2024 midseason pick, Thomson Dow, and Sam Banks, Richmond now has a group that can grow together and anchor the team’s resurgence.
List manager Blair Hartley summed it up best:
> “This isn’t just about keeping a player — it’s about securing the soul of our next generation. He’s the kind of footballer who changes locker rooms, not just scoreboards.”
For Richmond fans, who endured the highs of three premierships followed by rebuilding uncertainty, the message is clear: the Tigers are roaring again.
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Fan Reaction: A City United
The news of the extension set social media ablaze. Within hours, Richmond’s official post announcing the deal became one of the most interacted-with in the club’s online history.
Fans flooded the comments with messages like “Future captain right here” and “This kid bleeds yellow and black.”
Outside Punt Road Oval, supporters gathered to celebrate the announcement, waving banners reading “Till His Last Breath” — a tribute to his passionate declaration.
Longtime supporter Helen Carver, a member since 1980, summed up the collective emotion:
> “We’ve seen champions come and go, but every now and then, someone reminds you why you fell in love with the club. He’s that someone.”
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Balancing Stardom and Simplicity
Despite his rapid rise, those close to the player describe him as grounded and quietly determined. He still drives the same old ute he bought before joining the AFL, and he still trains with the same junior coach during off-days.
He spends his weekends surfing near Torquay, calling it “the only place where I can switch off completely.”
> “I don’t need the spotlight,” he said. “I just want to play footy, give everything, and make Richmond proud.”
That authenticity has become his trademark. In an age of polished media personalities, he represents something rare — a player who feels real.
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The Road Ahead
As the 2025 AFL season approaches, expectations are sky-high. Richmond’s preseason form has impressed observers, and with their new midfield anchor locked in long-term, the Tigers are poised for a return to finals contention.
The club’s focus now turns to consistency — building a style of play that merges youth-driven energy with the tactical precision that defined their premiership years.
For the player at the center of it all, though, the goal remains simple.
> “I just want to keep improving,” he said. “Every game, every season, I want to earn this jumper all over again.”
That mentality — humble yet hungry — might just be the fuel Richmond needs to reignite their premiership ambitions.
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Conclusion: A Tiger for Life
From a midseason gamble to a foundational star, his story embodies the spirit of Australian football — resilience, loyalty, and love for the game.
The headline-grabbing contract extension isn’t just a win for Richmond; it’s a win for everything the AFL stands for. In a league defined by movement and money, one player’s simple promise — “I want to play till my last breath” — cuts through the noise.
It’s a vow of passion.
It’s a declaration of loyalty.
And it’s the heartbeat of a new Richmond era.
As the sun sets over the MCG and the Tigers prepare for another season, one thing is certain: the roar of the yellow and black will echo for years to come — led by a player who never forgot where he came from, and who never stopped believing in where he’s going.
