THERE are no walk up starts for Melbourne’s Round 2 clash with the Blues.
Competition for spots is high, and some boys may have to wait a little longer before pulling on the red and blue in 2020.
But if the time comes for Trent Rivers to make his senior debut, expect to see good things.
The 18-year-old, who was selected with pick No.32 in the 2019 National Draft, is a smooth mover at half-back, and has impressed his defensive coach since joining the club.
“To Rivs credit, he’s just come in and been a sponge, and that’s all we want from a young kid,” Troy Chaplin said on the club’s Inside Melbourne podcast.
“He asks a lot of questions, he wants to know, he wants to learn.
“One thing around communication is the listening ability as well, and Riv is just a great listener.
“Whatever the boys tell him to do, he will do without any questions asked. Even if they’re wrong at times.”
Rivers has only been seen in the Melbourne guernsey on one occasion, standing out in the club’s practice match against North Melbourne in February.
But he’s continued to grow as a footballer since then, showcasing his class on the training track at Casey Fields.
“He’s been brilliant. He’s really developing; he’s had a great break as well,” Chaplin said.
“He’s a penetrating kick but he’s also a powerful runner and given the shorter games it could really work to his favour.
“We’re excited by the potential he’s got and when we see him in there it’ll be exciting, I reckon.
“The supporters wouldn’t know too much about him, I can’t really think of a comparison off the top of my head, but definitely a penetrating kick that can break lines for us which is really good.
“And he’s competitive defensively.”
CHAPLIN EXCITED BY BACKLINE SQUEEZE
While expectations can’t be too high on the Dees’ second youngest player, he does have the potential to add something unique to the side.
“We’ve got run there, but he’s a different type of run,” Chaplin said.
“He’s not just your pure, ‘I’m going to run off and get a handball receive all the time,’ he bobs up in the right spots.
“A little bit like Salo (Christian Salem), bobs up every now and then, but he provides more penetration than what Christian does.”
To hear more of Chaplin’s insights, listen to this week’s edition of Inside Melbourne below.
