RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchin says Howlong’s Anthony Miles hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving at Tigerland and is on track to play against Gold Coast in round one.
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Miles further enhanced his chances of being promoted off the Tigers’ rookie list at Wangaratta on Saturday, racking up 18 touches in less than a half after starting as a sub against Collingwood.
He was one of Richmond’s best against Melbourne a week earlier and Cotchin, who starred with 34 possessions and four goals in the 48-point win, gave the former North Albury midfielder a glowing endorsement.
“He hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Cotchin said, “his workrate over the pre-season was fantastic.
“He set a standard for our younger guys — he’s still only a younger guy who’s been at another club — but he’s definitely putting his hand up.
“Last week, he was probably our best player, and this week he got his opportunity in the second half and put his head over the footy.
“You know he’s going to give you his all every contest; we just need to keep pushing him to new levels.”
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick agreed Miles had started at his new club well after being cut by Greater Western Sydney but said the club had a host of players vying for promotion.
The Tigers have two vacant spots on their senior list, heading into round one.
“We’ve got a lot guys battling for those two positions,” Hardwick said.
“We’ll make our decision over the next couple of weeks.
“Both he and Matty Thomas were terrific.
“Thomas, especially early, set the scene with how he wanted to go about his business and then we sub him off and Milesy comes on and gives us exactly the same.
“There’s two of the reasons we got these guys to our footy club — they hunt the ball and distribute it well.”
A sell-out crowd of 11,000 crammed into Norm Minns Oval to watch Richmond run out winners 1.17.13 (124) to 1.10.7 (76).