Richmond will unleash summer pick-up and former Melbourne Storm development player Mykelti Lefau against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday after losing injured pair Jacob Hopper and Nathan Broad.
Confirmation 25-year-old New Zealand born Lefau would make his AFL debut comes as Port confirmed it would be without midfield gun Jason Horne-Francis who has picked up a hamstring injury.
Lefau’s debut comes just 34 days after he was elevated from the Tigers’ VFL program capping an impressive, and unique rise having spent his teens in the Storm’s development squad.
He booted two goals in the opening half of Richmond VFL’s practice match against Carlton Reserves last Thursday and coach Steve Morris said Lefau was in “outstanding form”.
“He’s bringing his training form to games and competing really well in the air,” Morris said.
“But also putting pressure on at ground level. He kicked a beautiful snap goal in the first half.”
Lefau moved to Melbourne in 2012 and was initially a member of the Melbourne Storm development squad but after shifting his attention to Australian rules kicked a mammoth 25-goals in a single Under 19s match in 2016.
He come sin to a side depleted by the loss of Dion Prestia with a hamstring, and now Hopper (knee) and Broad (calf) and looking for a maiden win for new coach Adem Yze.
Port included Tom Clurey as a replacement for Horne-Francis.