Injury ravaged Richmond to debut former Melbourne Storm rugby league player just 34 days after he officially converted to Aussie Rules

Injury ravaged Richmond are poised to debut former Melbourne Storm development player Mykelti Lefau against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday after Jacob Hopper and Nathan Broad were late withdrawals due to injury.

New Zealand born Lefau’s debut comes just 34 days after he was elevated from the Tigers’ VFL program.

Lefau, 25, moved to Melbourne in 2012 and was initially a member of the Storm’s NRL development squad before shifting his attention to chasing a Sherrin.

He soon caught the eye after kicking 25 goals in an under-19s match in 2016 for St Kilda City.

Lefau featured in 11 games for Richmond’s VFL side last season after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and trained with the AFL senior group over summer. 

Lefau moved to Melbourne in 2012 and was initially a member of the Storm’s NRL development squad before shifting his attention to AFL

The Kiwi was recently elevated from the Tigers’ VFL program and once kicked 25 goals in a game for St Kilda City

In February, Lefau told reporters playing senior footy for the Tigers was his primary goal.

‘I’ll always put my body on the line for the boys,’ he said. ‘All the boys know what I can do in that physical sense.

‘My toughness comes from playing league, but I need to get my body in the right position because you don’t want to injure someone or get in trouble.

‘If I get an opportunity, it is then about being consistent to stay in the team.’ 

The Kiwi comes into a side also depleted by the loss of Dion Prestia with a hamstring complaint, as new coach Adem Yze searches for a maiden win following defeats against Gold Coast and Carlton.

Yze said the territory game was going to be crucial versus Port Adelaide, but he backed Richmond’s system to deliver.

‘They have got some speed, they’ve got some amazing midfield talent. We are hoping to match them inside….around clearance, around stoppage,’ he said.

‘We’ve just got to start well and have a really consistent performance over four quarters.’