The 21-year-old played 13 matches at the level last season and is aiming to play at least 15 in 2019.

Mannagh crossed to Lavington after contract talks broke down to stay at North Albury, with good mate Lachie Taylor-Nugent joining Albury in the process.

Richmond VFL coach Craig McRae said Mannagh had the opportunity to play in the Tigers' intra-club match on the weekend and he was very impressed with what he saw.

"Shaun has had a terrific pre-season, he's one of our best trainers," McRae said.

"He played on the weekend in the intra-club match as one of the VFL guys and he performed really well.

"He looks like he's capable of playing at that level and he's set himself up for a really big year.

"This is his third season and he's been a regular player for us the last couple of years and looks a really capable player at VFL level.

"I see him in our best squad, it depends on how many AFL players we have and that varies week to week.

"I'd like to think if he comes back (to Ovens and Murray), he's going to be a really good player at this level."

Related:

Charlie Thompson, who nominated Wangaratta Rovers as his second club this season, managed six VFL games last season, while Albury's Harry Tanner is pushing for a spot on the list.

"He's (Tanner) been there the last two years and been a really good role player for us," McRae said.

"He's another that's had good growth in the last couple of years.

"He's going to have to work hard to earn a spot on our list, but we've got a lot of trust in what he can bring to the table with his speed and he certainly knows how to play his role in the forward line, which should stand him in good stead.

"Murray Bushrangers is our region and we tend to get some of those guys down late in the season to play as our 23^rd player if that presents.

"We'd like to ideally recruit out of the region if there's some players that want to come and play for us, it's an important area for us."

Richmond will select a 26-man squad for its pre-season clash against Melbourne on Sunday.

McRae is entering his fourth season as Richmond's VFL coach and is contracted until the end of 2020.