Richmond coach Damian Hardwick is prepared to play the long game with Corowa-Rutherglen young gun Ryan Garthwaite.
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The teenager, who was among a bumper crop of draftees from the Murray Bushrangers at the end of 2016, returned to the ground where he played many times in the TAC Cup on Saturday for the Tigers.
The tall defender found himself also pinch-hitting in the ruck when premiership big man Toby Nankervis went down early with concussion.
“The thing we love about him is he just competes,” Hardwick said.
“Whether he plays this year or not I am not too sure.
“We love the way he is building on his game and he is going to be long-term player.
“He just has to believe in himself because we certainly believe him in as a group of coaches and players.”
Garthwaite underlined his talent by dragging down a strong mark on the last line of defence in the opening quarter.