Richmond has added to their defensive stocks on the eve of the season by signing Woodville West Torrens defender Rhyan Mansell.
Mansell, who has been training with the club since January 7, played local football in his native Tasmania before signing with Woodville in the SANFL, but throughout his teenagers years had initially focused his attention on cricket.
“He played footy, but he was in the cricket pathways. He also played soccer mainly as a kid, so he was not in all the (football) squads like a lot of kids are,” Richmond National Recruiting Manager Matt Clarke said in a club statement.
“To go into Woodville West Torrens last year under an excellent coach (Jade Sheedy) and into a great footy club and brilliantly run organisation was fantastic.
“When he went there from Tasmania, it gave us confidence he could do well, and he obviously fitted into a really good team and won a flag, which was a big tick.”
Clarke admitted that Mansell had been on the club’s radar for several years.
“We have always liked his stuff because he suited what we like in a player; super competitive, physical, (and with) really good speed,” he said.
“He has Richmond qualities and that ability to come in hard and tackle.”
Richmond still has one further spot to fill on their list before the AAMI Community Series begins early next month, with the recently-delisted former Tiger Derek Eggmolesse-Smith and former Crow Jordan Gallucci in the mix to join Damien Hardwick’s side.