Mature age Peel Thunder defender Jacob Blight to make his AFL debut for Richmond against Carlton

Western Australian mid-season draftee Jacob Blight is set for a baptism of fire when he makes his debut for Richmond when they take on Carlton at the MCG this Sunday. Blight, 22, was taken by the Tigers with pick No.2 in the 2024 Mid-Season Rookie Draft last month after a blistering 18 months of football for Peel Thunder where he established himself as one of the best key backmen in the league. The 196cm defender has made an instant impression for Richmond in their VFL side, averaging 19 disposals and eight marks. Blight is set to be tested though when he lines up in a backline that needs to tackle Carlton’s Coleman medallist Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow. The former Peel and Claremont defender backed himself to make his debut after being drafted by the Tigers. “That’s the aim. You want to be on a list, but once you’re on a list you want to get a game,” Blight told The West Australian. “My career has been nothing short of earning every step of the way and I don’t think it will be any different being at a club like Richmond. “I want to earn the respect of the players on and off the field and make some mates and get along with people. It will be my focus for now and if a game comes around before the end of the year I feel I’ll be more than ready to do my part.” Richmond VFL coach Steve Morris said that it was pleasing to see Blight ‘stamp his authority on VFL footy really quickly’. “He’s just a wonderful kid to work with... (he’s) fitted into the group really well,” Morris told Richmond Media. “He’s a big body that’s going to help us moving forward.” Blight had paid tribute to his time at Peel Thunder for helping him develop. “Working on the finer details and getting to work with some professionals on the field, quality coaches and players and training at Freo — it’s a combination of things,” he said. “It’s not all on-field though. There’s a lot of parts of my character I worked on and everything else to go with it.” It comes as Geelong name Swan Districts product Lawson Humphries will make his debut for Geelong when they take on Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night. Humphries, 21, was a shock selection by the Cats with pick No.63 last year, despite having played only nine league games for the Swans last year.