Brookton-Pingelly star product Steely Green makes AFL debut for Richmond Tigers in front of family and friends
Brookton-Pingelly and now Richmond young gun Steely Green completed every footballer’s dream by making his AFL debut on Saturday night.
The hard-nosed forward was starved of opportunity in the game against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. The Lions notched their second-biggest win in their merged history with a 119-point demolition of the Tigers.
The 20-year-old gathered five disposals (three kicks and two handballs) and laid two strong tackles in his side’s 26.7 (163) to 6.8 (44) defeat.
Coming from a sailing and rugby background, the former Panther enjoyed a rapid rise to the top league after being selected by the Tigers with the No.55 pick in the 2022 national draft.
Having not played a competitive football match until pulling on the Panthers jersey in 2020, the talented youngster was quickly snaffled up by South Fremantle where he played two seasons in the WAFL, including eight league games.
However after hearing his name read out, he spent the entire 2023 season developing in the VFL before making his long-awaited debut under lights in Queensland.
The tenacious forward was chosen to debut on the back of impressive performances in the VFL this season including a breakout match where he collected 17 disposals, three clearances, 10 contested possessions and a goal, and another where he laid 10 tackles.
Tigers development coach Sam Lonergan presented Green with his guernsey before the match in front of family and friends who travelled to Brisbane in support of the debutant.
Green has joined Lake Grace-Pingrup junior and Pingaring star Liam Baker and Katanning-born Shai Bolton at Punt Road.
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