Richmond VFL proved too strong for a wayward AFL Academy in the first of a two-game series for the nation's best talent young talent, with the Tigers getting up 12.7 (79) to 9.12 (66).
Played on a scorching April day at Moorabbin's RSEA Park, the AFL Academy had plenty of opportunities to control the scoreboard early, but lacked polish in front of goal and were punished on turnover.
No.1 pick contender Cooper Duff-Tytler kicked the AFL Academy's only goal of the first quarter, a pearler on the run from 55 after Ollie Greeves won his fourth clearance of the quarter.
Spending time on his former Eastern Ranges teammate Josh Smillie throughout the game, Greeves' power and strength stood the test of Richmond's seasoned bodies, winning 26 disposals.
Captain Dan Annable, who got plenty of on-ball minutes and showed pleasing signs, was the AFL Academy's other first-half goalkicker with an impressive checkside from 45.
Annable, a product of the Brisbane Lions Academy, won best-on-ground honours, as he finished with two goals and set up plenty of scoring chains for his side, while applying pressure in the clinches.
Winger Matt Leray was also prominent with his work rate in the first quarter, while Gold Coast Academy prospect Dylan Patterson was the AFL Academy's standout of the first half.
Naturally a ball-winning midfielder, the Gold Coast Academy prospect played off halfback and attacked the contest with aggression, before dancing through traffic and composing himself to repeatedly hit his targets.
While far from the highest volume player on the field and a touch quieter after half-time, the cleanly-skilled Patterson created spark every time he got involved.
The AFL Academy's best period came in the first 10 minutes after half-time when they kicked three goals in a row to close to within 10 points.
South Australia's Harley Barker started the quarter well, while Sandringham key forward Archie Ludowyke was rewarded for being a constant aerial threat with two third quarter goals.
But Richmond put the game just about beyond doubt by running out the third quarter strongly to pull away to a 29-point lead at the last break.
The fourth term played out much the same way, with the AFL Academy kicking four goals to the 20-minute-mark of the quarter to close to within two kicks before Richmond ran out the quarter better.
Other strong performers included Western Jets halfback Tom Burton, Geelong Falcons rebounder Josh Lindsay and Gold Coast Academy's Beau Addinsall.
For a Richmond VFL side with several Mid-Season Draft prospects in action, halfback Tom McCarthy was omnipresent in starting counterpunches and took the bulk of the kick outs, with Lachie Wilson getting involved in plenty of transition play.
Mohammed Yassine and Sean Lai, the brother of Port Adelaide's Josh, both provided great energy and Nick Collier continued his strong start to the season.
From an AFL-listed point of view, Noah Balta cut off high balls and crashed packs in defensive 50 in his first game back from a club-imposed suspension, while Liam Fawcett was too strong in marking contests inside 50.
Smillie took a big step forward with his work at stoppage in a 14-disposal first half before he was put on ice after the main break.
Top-five pick contender Zeke Uwland and Dandenong half forward Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves were both missing with injury.
The AFL Academy will again be in action at Mission Whitten Oval on Sunday, April 27.
Zero Hanger's Best
AFL Academy: Dan Annable, Dylan Patterson, Beau Addinsall, Archie Ludowyke, Ollie Greeves, Josh Lindsay, Tom Burton
Goals: Archie Ludowyke 3, Dan Annable 2, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Liam Hetherton, Noah Chamberlain, Louis Emmett
Richmond: Lachie Wilson, Liam Fawcett, Nick Collier, Mohammed Yassine, Sean Lai, Tom McCarthy
Goals: Liam Fawcett 3, Massimo Raso 2, Sam Flockart 2, Lachie Wilson, Sam Toner, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Mohammed Yassine, Tom Ferguson
Zero Hanger will provide AFL Academy player-by-player notes on Monday as part of its extended draft coverage in partnership with Craft of the Draft in 2025.
