Passionate Richmond member and long-time pre-season camp attendee Andrew Sloman provides his observations from Day 2 of Pre-Season Camp in Yarrawonga.
By Andrew Sloman, Richmond Media
Welcome Tiger Army to Day 2 of the Camp Blog. This day was officially a rest day for the players, so there were minimal football related activities planned.
We are staying at a hotel in Yarrawonga that is surrounded by a wonderfully difficult yet beautiful golf course named Black Bull. Many members of the squad don’t need an excuse to have a hit of golf, and when your hotel is 200 metres from the first tee, many took the opportunity. I didn’t play myself due to medical reasons, but I believe the ambrose tournament was extremely competitive and the sledging was fierce. The team of Jack Ross, Toby Nankervis. Hugo Ralphsmith and Blake Caracella won the day.
Some players took the opportunity to go fishing on the mighty Murray River, which literally is at the back of the hotel. I know Maurice Rioli Jnr and Mykelti Lefau were very keen to explore the river and Lake Mulwala, but I heard they weren’t very successful in landing any fish. The native Murray Cod proved to be very elusive.
Last night, a group of us had dinner with the coaches and, in what has now become tradition, we were given the magnets and the whiteboard and asked to pick our team for Round 1 2026. Over the last few years, the selection challenge has increased as we build depth across each line, and there’s no doubt that some handy players will miss out if the list remains healthy. Throw in the rule changes for next year including the rucking rules, the extended interchange bench and last touch between the arcs, and the task does not get easier! Ooze was fantastic in running scenarios over each team. I don’t envy the task of our Match Committee!
Well tomorrow is a really big day. The GPS monitors will record some big numbers. Speak tomorrow Tiger Army.