Demand for out-of-contract forward Callum Coleman-Jones is set to skyrocket after the exciting youngster kicked four goals to help Richmond breathe life into their AFL premiership defence with a 28-point win over Adelaide.
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Coleman-Jones and fellow tall Mabior Chol were called up to cover the loss of injured spearhead Tom Lynch and combined well with veteran Jack Riewoldt in attack.
The trio kicked 11 goals between them in the 17.9 (111) to 12.11 (83) win at Giants Stadium in Sydney, which pushed the Tigers (6-5) back into the top eight.
It was only Coleman-Jones' second senior appearance, coming almost two years after his AFL debut.
He also served a 10-match ban for breaking strict COVID-19 protocols in Queensland in September.
But the 2017 No.20 draft pick looked right at home as Richmond recovered from a four-goal first-quarter deficit and overpowered Adelaide in the second and third terms to set up their win.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said he was unsure if the club has put a contract offer to Coleman-Jones, but is eager to hang onto the 200cm talent with a host of rival clubs circling.
"He was terrific. (The four-goal haul) was good reward for a guy who's had his ups and downs," Hardwick said.
"We stick with our people and we back them in.
"He's put in a power of work both on and off the field and it was great reward for CJ personally, but also great reward for our organisation and backing our people, which is a real positive for us.
"We've always known he can play the game, it was just about that opportunity to get him into the side."
Richmond led by 33 points at the final change but Adelaide challenged in the last quarter and cut the margin to nine points before Riewoldt took a huge pack mark and kicked the steadying goal with eight minutes left to play.
The 32-year-old kicked the next two majors in time-on and finished with five from 20 disposals and 14 marks.
Shai Bolton starred on return from two weeks out with a broken wrist sustained in a nightclub fight, finishing with 23 disposals and a goal.
The Tigers also welcomed fellow premiership stars Trent Cotchin (20 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances) and Dion Prestia back into the midfield fold.
Sparked by in-form veteran Taylor Walker, Adelaide stunned Richmond by kicking five of the first six goals in a first-quarter blitz.
Walker had two goals and seven score involvements from 10 disposals in the opening term and had three majors on the board by half-time.
He finished with four and sidekick Darcy Fogarty kicked three as Rory Sloane (29 disposals) and Ben Keays (31) fought hard in a losing cause.
The regenerating Crows, who knocked off ladder leaders Melbourne in a huge upset a week earlier, would have lost few admirers in another gritty performance.
"We started really well and had the game on our terms up to quarter-time," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said.
"As every very good side does, they arm-wrestled it back and sort of put us to the sword a bit in the second and third, but I was pleased with the fight towards the end."
Australian Associated Press
