It didn’t take long for Bacchus Marsh’s Sam Lalor to shine on the biggest stage.
Last year’s number one draft pick recovered from a fractured jaw to be selected in round one for Richmond against Carlton at the MCG.
The teenager was one of the stars in the Tigers upset win and he was recognised with the round one rising star nomination.
Lalor had 18 disposals and kicked two goals in the win.
Lalor told the Richmond Football Club website it was a special night.
“I’m happy to get the Rising Star for this week,” he said. “It was electrifying. Never played in front of a crowd nearly as big as that. The Tiger Army were awesome. Hopefully we can see them throughout the year a lot more.”
The teenager also paid tribute to his support network who flocked to the MCG in full force.
There was also a big crowd gathered at Maddingley Park in Bacchus Marsh to watch the game.
“It was really special, to see them in the rooms after the game and to be around them and share those moments with them, (they’ve been there) through the hard times and the good times,” he told the Tigers website.
“I was really grateful for that, and they loved it, too.”
With game one under his belt, Lalor said he and the side were already focused on round two against Port Adelaide.
“We’ve obviously reviewed the game pretty harshly, because there were some factors that we didn’t do too well in,” he said.
“I think just being consistent over four quarters. We didn’t start the way we wanted to.
“The (positive) thing I do take away was probably our pressure, our forward pressure and pressure all over the ground. It was elite, hopefully we bring that again.”
