Albany-raised Jacob Blight reflects on AFL debut with Richmond and battle with Carlton star Harry McKay

Railways product and Richmond mid-season draftee Jacob Blight said it was a “huge honour” to make his AFL debut against a strong Carlton forward line on Sunday. Plunged into the deep end against the red-hot Blues, Blight was tasked with minding contested marking beast and 2021 Coleman medallist Harry McKay. The 196cm intercept defender had the better of his direct opponent through the opening half, keeping McKay goalless before the star key forward finished with two goals in the Blues’ strong 61-point win. Surrounded by a travelling party of friends and family, Blight was presented with his No.51 guernsey by former Richmond defender, fellow Wesley College graduate and WA player Mark Coughlan. His parents Tanya and Ashley, siblings Noah and Shiloh and girlfriend Georgie Cleaver were among the strong contingent there to cheer on the 22-year-old. Speaking in Melbourne after his debut, Blight said he relished the opportunity to play at the MCG in front of nearly 60,000 fans, most of whom were part of the Tiger army, and was buoyed by the support of travelling family and friends. “It was certainly a step up but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was just a huge honour to run out with those boys and some legends of our footy club,” he said. “It was nice to be supported and well directed out there ... (I cherished) the challenge and hopefully there is many more to come. “I was trying to find them (friends and family) but it was a pretty good crowd today and I’m very appreciative of them to be able to come down before and after the game.” Blight finished with 11 disposals, three marks, two tackles and four intercept possessions to go with 105m gained and six one-percenters in his side’s 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) loss. He said coming face-to-face with the Blues’ talented forward line which also boasts Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow provided him with invaluable experience. “As your first game, you probably don’t want to take on the best guy each week but it certainly puts you in the spot to see where you are at ... and it was a great challenge,” Blight said. “Him (McKay) and (Charlie) Curnow are certainly the toughest forwards I’ve played on and there’s a lot of learnings and stuff I’ll take away. “I feel like I had a couple good (spoils) today, obviously being a wet game I can’t really bring the aerial presence of intercept marks but just winning or halving the contest with a spoil is just as good. “I was pretty happy with the way I performed and what I could bring but of course there’s always things to improve on.” Drafted out of Peel Thunder with the No.2 pick of the mid-season draft this year, Blight will line-up against some of his former teammates when the Tigers take on Fremantle — the Thunder’s WAFL affiliate team — at Optus Stadium on Saturday night if he holds his spot. “It’ll will be a funny one obviously playing with a few of them back home and what not and being quite familiar with the coaches as well,” he said. “If all goes well and I get picked it should be a good trip over there and one I’m really looking forward to.” He joins a long list of Great Southern-bred AFL players with the most recent, Mt Barker product and Western Bulldog Arthur Jones in 2023. Blight was rewarded with his debut after a brilliant start to his VFL career — averaging 19 disposals and eight marks in three matches — and played alongside hard-nosed Pingaring star Liam Baker and Katanning-born forward Shai Bolton.