Richmond has filled its vacant list spot on pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) deadline day after signing forward Mykelti Lefau to a deal on Monday morning.
Lefau was part of Richmond’s VFL program and had been trialling with the Tigers for a rookie list spot alongside East Perth product Mitch Schofield since late last November.
The 23-year-old put his best foot forward during the Tigers’ match simulation against the Demons on Sunday, booting a fourth-period major and asserting himself physically in a performance that solidified his standing in the minds of Richmond’s list brain trust.
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Born in New Zealand, Lefau left Auckland for Melbourne in 2012 and participated in Melbourne Storm’s NRL development program before transitioning to Australian Rules.
Lefau joined Richmond’s VFL fray ahead of the 2022 campaign after playing matches for Casey in the VFL and St Kilda City in the Southern Football Netball League.
The mature-aged prospect, prior to Sunday’s outing, had turned heads throuhghout the pre-season in an attempt to secure an AFL opportunity.
Also to earn an SSP lifeline on Monday was Tyler Sellers, who has penned a deal with North Melbourne after impressing with three goals during the Roos’ intra-club hitout last week.
Sellers finished second in the North VFL best and fairest count last year after kicking 30 goals.
After Richmond signed Lefau, Hawthorn acquired Box Hill Hawks defender Ethan Phillips ahead of the SSP deadline, which is set for 5pm (AEDT) on Monday.
Phillips, the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner from the 2022 VFL season, essentially replaces James Blanck, who will miss the Hawks’ entire 2024 campaign after rupturing his ACL in last week’s intra-club clash.
— with Ben Waterworth
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