ONE OF the finest state league programs in the country, Richmond VFL, continues to nurture talent in 2025. Among the over-age prospects on board at Tigerland this year is Western Jets product Massimo Raso, a pint sized midfielder renowned for his slick ground level game.

After 30 Coates Talent League appearances in two seasons, Raso has made a seamless step up to senior football. He debuted last week to rave reviews, booting two goals from 19 disposals as the Tigers held off Coburg. He built on that performance in Round 2 with more permanent midfield minutes.

Raso, who provided a spark on-ball in Round 1, showcased his stoppage craft with nine clearances among his 24 touches this week, attending 14 of 25 centre bounces for the match. What’s more, he levelled the scores before Richmond went on to win with a goal after the siren.

We put Raso’s performance under the Player Focus microscope.

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RichmondMidfielder, Small Forward

Massimo Raso

Height: 171cm

Weight: -

DOB: 21-04-2006

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 VFL: Round 2
Sandringham 11.8 (74) def. by Richmond VFL 11.14 (80)

#77 Massimo Raso (Richmond VFL)
Midfielder | 171cm | 21/04/2006

Stats: 24 disposals (13 kicks, 11 handballs), 3 marks, 3 tackles, 9 clearances, 6 inside 50s

FIRST QUARTER:

Thrown into the centre bounce mix after around 10 minutes, Raso got to work in displaying his stoppage craft. The diminutive youngster looked to swoop on loose balls at ground level, positioning well at the fall of the ball and reading it off hands better than most.

Usually a one-touch operator, Raso would play the basics well with quickfire handballs out the back which allowed his teammates an open look at the field. He was also quick to move the ball on in open play, showing good vision with a releasing pass at half-forward as Richmond went end-to-end.

SECOND QUARTER:

Raso was a permanent fixture on-ball in the second quarter and his presence there coincided with Richmond hitting the lead at half time. By the time he rotated off the ground in the 17^th minute, he was the equal-highest ball winner afield for either side.

He continued to shark the ball off both rucks’ taps, becoming a prominent stoppage threat who fed others by hand. It was almost unusual to see him be the primary ball winner given his stature, with such a role usually reserved for bigger-bodied players.

Raso’s clean hands and smarts allowed him to do so effectively, and he even snuck forward to compound his impact. His eyes lit up with a running shot which sprayed out on the full, before putting a set shot opportunity wide having caught the Zebras’ defence napping inside 50.

THIRD QUARTER:

Having lifted his defensive intent in term two, Raso continued to show tenacity as he punched above his weight in the contest. Despite that, his lack of size began to be exposed as he made a rare fumble and was caught, and was later dispossessed in the process of William Johnson’s miracle goal for Sandy.

Having largely been a quick disposer by hand, Raso showed signs of trying to drive his legs more and gaining meterage by foot. In doing so, he proved his ability to kick off either side and looked lively when baulking the opposition to allow extra time and space before releasing.

It was still tough going for Richmond in term three, falling 23 points behind at the final break after an ill disciplined period. Raso had little to do with that, but was sighted at just four of nine centre bounces as Sandringham turned the tide to pour on six goals to two.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Again making his way onto the ground after around six minutes, Raso got straight back into the thick of the action. By then, Richmond had already trimmed the margin considerably and would soon be back within a kick of the lead.

Raso’s urgency to kick continued in term four, and he continued to look for ways to manufacture space in the heat of the contest. That proved a little tough, though it very nearly saw the second-gamer produce the winning score in the dying stages.

After being caught holding the ball trying to step and snap in the pocket, Raso backed himself again on a handball receive to turn inside and quickly snap on goal. His shot just curled narrow, but the minor score put Richmond level before Joel Garner kicked the winner.

JOEL GARNER WINS IT AFTER THE SIREN!!

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SUMMARY

Raso has undeniable natural footballing ability and plenty of tools which hold up at the next level. He is clever around packs and reads the play well, getting into position to rove the ground ball or shark ruckman’s taps. He’s also a one-touch handler and efficient exponent of the handball with great vision.

The knocks on him are also easily identifiable. At 171cm, you have to be exceptionally talented or athletic to make the elite grade. While not overly quick, Raso is agile and smart enough to work out of tight spaces. He may be caught at times and won’t drive his legs like other smalls, but is an asset at stoppage.

Being shrewd in those situations makes him a threat inside 50, as he has proven over the first two rounds. He clearly will have little to no trouble getting his hands on the ball at VFL level, so the test will be how effectively he can use it, particularly by foot – he ran at 54 per cent disposal efficiency on Saturday.

If Raso can increase the hurt factor in his kicking, continue to hit the scoreboard, and apply strong defensive pressure, there is no reason he cannot become a mid-season draft contender. He’s in the right place and seems to really be honing his craft as a midfielder-forward.