Richmond Tigers Announce Delisting of Versatile Defender Jacob Blight

End of Tigers Journey for Young Defender

Richmond Football Club has announced the delisting of Jacob Blight, with the club confirming he will not be offered a contract for the 2026 season.

The 23-year-old Australian rules footballer, originally from Gnowangerup, Western Australia, joined Richmond when he was selected with the second pick in the 2024 mid-season rookie draft after previously playing for Claremont and Peel Thunder in the West Australian Football League.

Career at Richmond

During his time with the Tigers, Blight managed to play 10 games, with seven of those matches coming in the 2025 season, including an impressive run in the opening five matches of the year.

Known for his versatility, Blight showed promise as a powerfully-built key defender who could also be deployed in forward positions and provide ruck relief when needed. His elite marking ability and adaptability were particularly evident during the 2025 season, where he demonstrated his capability to kick goals when moved into attack.

Pre-Richmond Success

Before joining the AFL, Blight made his mark at Peel Thunder in the WAFL, where he dominated at the state level. His breakthrough came with an impressive performance against the SANFL, recording 17 disposals and seven intercept marks. His WAFL statistics were notable, averaging 18.4 disposals, 8.7 marks, and 3.9 rebounds in seven games.

Club’s Perspective

Richmond list boss Blair Hartley acknowledged Blight’s contribution to the club, thanking him for his efforts at Punt Road. The club particularly appreciated his commitment during his 18-month tenure, especially considering his significant move across the country to join the Tigers.

The decision comes as part of Richmond’s list management strategy following a challenging 2025 season, where the team finished with a 5-18 win-loss record.