New Richmond draftee and Albany-raised Jacob Blight itching for AFL life after mid-season draft selection

Albany-raised footballer Jacob Blight’s AFL dream became a reality on Wednesday night after hearing his name read out by Richmond in the mid-season draft, catapulting him “into a whole new world”. Hailing from Railways in the Great Southern Football League, the 22-year-old returns to the familiar yellow and black guernsey of his boyhood club, but instead for the men at Punt Road. He was selected with the Tigers’ No.2 pick and joined five other WAFL players who secured spots on an AFL list. After having discussions with seven clubs in the lead-up to the draft, including one with the Tigers, the 196cm intercept defender said Tigerland was always a home he was happy to land. “Going to Richmond was one of my top picks because of the extent of the club, how big it is and its location,” he said. “It’s such a big club with such a big fan base and if I was going to move to the other side of the country, it would definitely be at a club as large as Richmond. “I’m very grateful to be here and been a very good experience so far. “I had a huge case of imposter syndrome, I was a big fish in my own pond in WA, and then I was getting picked up and thrown into a whole new world within a day.” Watching the draft surrounded by close friends and family, Blight said it was a ‘whirlwind’ watching his dream unfold in front of him. “When it was all announced it was an absolute whirlwind, you’re looking at a screen and your dream comes true right in front of you,” he said. “It was an awesome day and a lot of emotions and something I’ll never forget. “I had about 10-15 of my closest people there. . . and to see it finally realised it’s a pretty awesome experience. “A lot of years of tribulation, hard work and setbacks and it all happened so quickly it was pretty emotional.” Tigers coach Adem Yze called Blight moments after the draft to welcome him to the club before he embarked on a rapid journey across the Nullabor. “I spoke to Yze pretty quickly and then the list manager and then between all that the phone was blowing up,” Blight said. “I was quite in awe when I walked in (to Punt Road) and trying to navigate my way through and seeing all the resources at hand. “It was a very good moment in time and then doing the photo shoot and seeing your locker — it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.” The Great Southern product was one of two players selected last week by the Tigers, with Essendon VFL player Campbell Gray also picked up. Blight was whisked to Melbourne on Thursday in the hours after the draft and played in their VFL side on Saturday. He said while he is eager to work closely with three-time Norm Smith medallist and 2017 Brownlow winner Dustin Martin, he is ready to learn something from every listed player. “I guess the obvious one is Dusty (Martin), I think he’s everyone’s favourite player or has been for several years and I think anyone going to Richmond would want to meet him personally,” Blight said. “I’m ready to learn off all 40 to 45 players who I’ll train with and get amongst it with. “From my personal standpoint, you’ve got Ben Miller, Dylan Grimes, Josh (Gibcus) and Noah Balta, so there’s definitely plenty of support in my area of the field.” He joins a rich contingent of West Aussies at his new club with Great Southern linked forward Kaleb Smith, Brookton-Pingelly’s Steely Green, Pingaring premiership star Liam Baker and Katanning-born Shai Bolton among their long list of Sandgropers. Blight’s rapid journey from draft night to Punt Road is symbolic of his meteoric rise to the national league. After managing just four league games at Claremont in 2022, a shift to Peel Thunder the following season saw the tall versatile defender excel in his new colours playing 22 league games, including a grand final, alongside Fremantle-listed talent. He then enjoyed a sensational start to the 2024 campaign averaging 18 disposal and nine marks before being awarded a maiden State guesney for the WAFL against the SANFL where he showed potential at the higher level. Blight was one of nine selected players to nominate a six-month contract, while the remaining 10 mid-season recruits opted for 18-month-long deals.