Prestia in, Rance out for Tigers in AFL

Feb 22, 2017 - 4:33 AM High-profile midfield recruits Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy will play their first games for Richmond in Friday night's opening AFL pre-season game against Adelaide.

Ruckman Toby Nankervis is also in the strong squad for the Etihad Stadium game, with veteran defender Alex Rance the only notable absentee from the Tigers lineup.

Prestia and Caddy in particular are key additions for Richmond, who need more midfield support for captain Trent Cotchin.

As a forward, Ben Lennon in particular is looking forward to being on the end of their handywork.

"They're midfield stoppage kings, so it's going to be good to hopefully get a few (passes) on the chest from those players," he said.

"They'll be really good for us ... you only have to watch the intra-club matches to see they're doing their thing."

By contrast, Adelaide have named seven potential debutants in a squad missing Rory Sloane (fractured eye socket), Scott Thompson (shoulder) and Brad Crouch (hamstring).

Lennon will go into Friday night off the back of his first full pre-season and is determined to finally prove himself as an AFL player.

The No.12 pick in the 2013 draft has only managed 19 games in three seasons because of illness and injury.

He kicked four goals earlier this month in an intra-club game.

"It was good, a little reward," he said.

Lennon requested a trade at the end of last season and admits initially, it was tough returning to the club.

"I suppose the first day was a little bit nerve-wracking, but the club is in a really good spot and I have plenty of good friends here," he said.

Likewise, coach Damien Hardwick had said in Lennon's end-of-season review that it might be time to find another club.

But Lennon said they quickly put that behind them.

"It's all good now - he sat me aside and said he was going to try to make the player he thinks he can," Lennon said.

Lennon comes out of contract at the end of this season, meaning it is a big year for the player as well as the club after Richmond dropped out of the top eight.

"Hopefully I can prove that I can play some good footy and put my best foot forward," he said.

"That's my main priority this year, to cement a spot in the team and prove myself as a player.

"It (his contract status) just gives me determination - obviously it hasn't gone to plan, the first three years, so now I'm fit hopefully I can play some good footy and let that unfold at the end of the year."

Source: AAP