"Slow and steady" build leads Richmond to extending youngster

“I want to be more of a leader and help this team grow and get better.”

WRITER | July 16, 2024 - 7:48pm

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Richmond has locked away hard-running Hugo Ralphsmith for another two years, keeping him at Punt Road until the end of 2026.

Taken with Pick 49 in the 2019 National Draft, Ralphsmith had his work cut out for him after joining the premiers.

However, with a new age comes opportunities and the winger has done just that in 2024, featuring in 12 games so far this year.

Ralphsmith has been slowly building into his AFL career, playing 13 games in the past two seasons, a feat he is keen to top.

"I feel like I have started to play some consistent football a bit more, so it is a really good feeling," Ralphsmith said.

"(My growth) has been slow and steady, but it is picking up now, and I have been working really hard on the contested side of my game.

"Hopefully, we grow as a team, and I will try and be a part of this team as best as I can.

"Going into my sixth and seventh year, I want to be more of a leader and help this team grow and get better."

Tigers GM of Football Talent Blair Hartley said Ralphsmith had made big strides in his AFL career this season.

“Hugo has taken his opportunities at senior level this season with both hands and is showing he has what it takes to be a consistent performer in the AFL,” Hartley said.

“He has a skill set that makes us a better and more flexible team due to his versatility and huge aerobic capacity, which he has continued to develop across the past five years with us.

“We look forward to seeing Hugo continue to build on what he has achieved this year, which is exciting for our fans, and everyone connected with the Club.”