Recently retired Richmond defender Troy Chaplin expects the Tigers to be up against it when they take on the Greater Western Sydney Giants on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chaplin visited Queanbeyan West Primary School for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, and said Richmond's youngsters are relishing the opportunity to take on the second-placed Giants at Manuka Oval.
"It's a great opportunity to get away as a team," Chaplin said.
"We love travelling away, [because] we tend to play good footy when we're on the road."
Chaplin praised the development of the Giants program and hopes his club can replicate their success at Richmond.
"They've been in the league for only a short period of time but we're seeing how vital their young guys are now," Chaplin said.
"They've been able to add a little bit of experience over the years but their younger kids are starting to mature, and are at that age now where you start to really develop as a footballer.
While Canberra products Jack Steele and Harrison Himmelberg are making waves in western Sydney, there is another lesser known ACT youngster plying his trade at Punt Road.
The extent of Ivan Soldo's football experience was playing at a school gala day before being picked up by Richmond in one of the more unique recruitment stories.
Chaplin believes that the former basketballer has made a strong transition into Australian rules after being discovered through cousin and Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric.
He's developed over the last couple of years out of sight," Chaplin said.
"He's playing some really good football at VFL level. He's a ruckman that's really starting to find his niche in the game.
"He's probably still a little bit away from debuting at AFL level but we've seen a huge jump in the last couple of years in his development. Hopefully in the not too distant future we'll see him get an opportunity."
