Richmond pair Maurice Rioli Jr and Mykelti Lefau have signed new contracts this week to extend their time at the Tigers.
Both players have penned a two-year deal which will see them remain in the yellow and black until at least the end of the 2026 season.
Tiwi man Rioli joined the club in 2020 via the father-son rule and has appeared in 35 games for the Tigers since debuting in 2021.
The 21-year-old son of club champion Maurice Rioli Sr said that it was special to continue the Rioli legacy at Tigerland.
"It's pretty awesome, obviously my dad played here and my nephew Daniel," Rioli Jr said.
"It's awesome to sign on for another two more years at this wonderful club because my family has done a lot for this club and they have done a lot for us as well."
Rioli Jr said that a highlight across his four years was being involved in designing the Tigers' 2024 Dreamtime jumper alongside his mother.
"Designing the Dreamtime guernsey this year – obviously I didn't get to play in it, but the process and designing it with my Mum was pretty awesome," he said.
Rioli has not appeared at AFL level since suffering a serious ankle injury against the Western Bulldogs in Round 10, but he has spent the past two weeks playing restricted minutes in the VFL as he awaits a senior recall.
Mykelti Lefau, who is of Samoan heritage made his debut earlier this year and has so far made a big impact at the club with 14 goals from his 10 games, including kicking multiple goals on five separate occasions.
He showed promising signs as a tall forward who was able to apply strong defensive pressure, but unfortunately suffered a season-ending ACL injury against Geelong in Round 13.
The New Zealand born 26-year-old said it was 'super exciting' to extend his stay at the Tigers.
"I'm super grateful and so honoured to get that contract from the club and get that reassurance that they believe in me and see a future with me," he said.
Lefau was ecstatic about his rise from a State League footballer to AFL player in such a short timeframe.
"It was amazing overall, definitely a whirlwind," he said.
"It was a massive learning experience for me and just to get those ten games under my belt meant so much … the next two years is going to be awesome for me just to work hard and get to where I want to be."
Richmond General Manager of Football Talent Blair Hartley said it was exciting to sign the pair up for a further couple of seasons.
"Mykelti and Maurice have exciting skillsets and showed this year that they make us a better team," Hartley said.
"Both players have great upside in their game, and we are delighted that we will see more of them over the coming years.
"Maurice has worked hard on his game across his four years with us and should take great confidence into next year from the form he was able to produce when fit and firing.
"For Mykelti his contract is great reward for the hard work he has put in behind the scenes since joining our AFL program.
"We have great faith he will return fitter and stronger in 2025, and we are looking forward to having his unique versatility back in our team."
