Richmond may have found an early season Balta in win over Dees
A massive second quarter from young Tigers' ruckman-forward Noah Balta in Shepparton against Melbourne showed selectors he may be an early season option if star recruit Tom Lynch misses round one.
The 19-year-old who was selection No.25 in the 2017 national draft spent his first season playing in the VFL but he took his chance to impress against the Demons in a game that began with the mercury pushing 38 degrees.
Balta took the game over in the second quarter kicking two goals and notching seven touches. He had six marks, including two contested marks, next to his name at half time. He was a key part of the turnaround that saw the Tigers come from 22 points behind at quarter time to lead by 24 points at the final break.
Richmond ran out of puff in the end but hung on to win 16.17 (113) to 16.5 (101) with champion defender Alex Rance lifting in the final moments to repel Melbourne's attacks before Liam Baker kicked the sealer.
Balta wasn't the only youngster to impress with Riley Coller-Dawkins, Richmond's first selection in the 2018 national draft, slotting into the middle, his attack on the ball impressive enough to put him in the frame for round one. He sat out the third quarter and finished with six touches but he will benefit from the hit-out and looks on track.
It was Tigers' star Dusty Martin who lifted after quarter-time to help Richmond regain the ascendancy in the middle and allow the Tigers to take over the game, their run and carry and forward pressure too much for Melbourne in the second and third quarters despite the fact Clayton Oliver (32 disposals and Angus Brayshaw (37 disposals) were brilliant throughout the afternoon.
The game finished on a strange note with power failing late in the last quarter with the lights going out as the crowd of 5190 found voice with scores tightening up.
But it was Balta that had the Tigers' hierarchy interested as he shared forward duties with premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis and worked in tandem with Ivan Soldo in the ruck as the Tigers experimented with their set up ahead of the season opener.
The new ruck rules and the arrival of Lynch has forced Richmond to reassess their strategy heading into 2019 with both Nankervis and champion forward Jack Riewoldt having to become used to working in tandem with teammates in their respective roles.
With Lynch in doubt for round one and the Tigers keen to remain patient with him as he recovers from a PCL operation he had midway through last season they will look at whether to stick with the structure that served them so well or bring in an extra tall such as Balta or Soldo against Carlton.
The Tigers, who play Hawthorn in Tasmania in the final game of the JLT Community Series, look to have lost none of their ferocity gathering pace after a slow start while Melboourn plays the Brisbane Lions.
Unfortunately for Melbourne speedster Jeff Garlett dislocated his shoulder in the third quarter and sat on the bench with his shoulder iced during the last quarter. It is a blow for Garlett who lost his spot in the team late last season as the Demons surged towards finals.
Meanwhile Melbourne's Brayshaw is set to be automatically mentioned among the game's elite midfielders heading into this season. The 23-year-old was the best player on the ground in the opening quarter against Richmond with 12 disposals that included three clearances and five inside 50s, finishing the game as good as he started.
Coming on the back of a surprise third placing in last year's Brownlow Medal and a strong finals series he took the contest up to Richmond star Dustin Martin who responded well in the second quarter. Martin scared Tiger fans when he landed awkwardly on his ankle but he played without discomfort after leaving the ground momentarily.
Melbourne were without Max Gawn so Brayden Preuss had to ruck alone while co-captains Jack Viney and Nathan Jones were missing. The Demons' forwardline has a slightly new look with high flying Joel Smith lending support to the two key forwards Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman while Marty Hore won a spot in the line-up.
Richmond were without Lynch, Josh Caddy, Jason Castagna and Shaun Grigg and introduced new faces in Collier-Dawkins, Jack Ross (who wins the ball, but will need time to develop) and recycled small forward Maverick Weller who will keep pressure on the Tigers' young forwards.