Ben Lennon Biography

Ben Lennon will head to the US in 2019 with dreams of an NFL career after earning a punting scholarship at the University of Utah.

"Playing Australian football, I felt like my kicking was my biggest strength, so I'm hoping that can transfer across," Lennon said.

"I definitely would like to play in the NFL. It's obviously one of the biggest sports in the world, if not the biggest … but if things don't work out at least I can walk away from doing this with a degree under my belt."

Ben Lennon is embarking on a new challenge to become an NFL punter, but admits to being a little resentful after his AFL dream failed to take flight at Richmond.

"I had to play a lot of VFL footy and at the end of the day it's pretty frustrating. You're not there to play VFL," Lennon said.

"There is a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but that's nothing against Damien.

"It doesn't always work out the way you want it to, but I'm just hoping to have another crack at a different sport and make a success out of it."

Former Richmond forward Ben Lennon opted against nominating for this year's NAB AFL Draft, instead choosing to pursue hopes of becoming an American football punter.

Lennon, 22, has been training with Prokick Australia, the punting program helping players transition to American football, honing his punting technique in the hope of being offered a scholarship by a US college.

Richmond delist Ben Lennon.

Lennon played 21 games in his four seasons at Punt Road, and just two in 2017, after being selected with pick No.12 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.

"Ben is a resilient character and is held in high regard with the playing group." Richmond general manager of football Dan Richardson said.

Out-of-contract Richmond forward Ben Lennon won't ask to move to another club, his manager Peter Lenton says.

"Ben still sits in that position where he's uncontracted but he's not putting his hand up in any way, shape or form to leave Richmond," Lenton said.

"As it's worked out this year, it just hasn't panned in the right way for him, so he's clearly been frustrated given that he's so proficient at VFL level. He clearly wants the opportunity.

"With this one, we'll work out where to from here once he does have that exit interview and we find out a bit more from the footy club."

After asking for a trade at the end of last season, Richmond forward Ben Lennon admits it was "nerve-racking" returning to Punt Road.

"The first day was a little bit nerve-racking, but the club's in a really good spot," he said.

"I've got plenty of good friends here so I was pretty quick to move on to the next thing."

Ben Lennon says he wants to prove himself after failing to cement his spot since being selected as a first-round selection by Richmond in 2013.

A variety of injuries troubled in 2016, including shoulder surgery on his right AC joint.

"It's definitely frustrating watching from the stands. Whether it's injury or bad form, you just feel disappointed," Lennon said.

"I feel like I've got a lot to prove this year and I'm just taking every training session as something to look forward to and try to get something out of it.

"Hopefully come the middle of the year, I'm not sitting in the stands, I'm actually out there so that's my main goal."

Ben Lennon will be sidelined for up to three weeks after suffering a minor ankle injury in the VFL.

Lennon was on the cusp of a return to the senior team but will now be racing the clock to appear again at the top level this season after a horror run with injury.

Ben Lennon is set to miss up to six weeks with an AC joint injury, continuing a torrid run for the talented half-forward.

Lennon suffered the injury in training last week and will undergo clean-up surgery.

"Ben is a talented young player who we rate very highly, and unfortunately hasn’t been able to get a lot of continuity in his football this season," football manager Dan Richardson said.

"The club will continue to support him with his rehab, he’ll overcome this setback and return to be an important player for us in the back end of the season."

Ben Lennon is hoping strong pre-season will help nail down a regular spot in Richmond's senior side.

Having played 16 games in his two years, Lennon is hungry to add more.

"We're shaping up pretty well. It's going to be pretty hard for spots but I've just got to keep training hard and hopefully keep kicking goals, which would be nice," he said.

Richmond general manager of football Dan Richardson says Ben Lennon will almost certainly be a Tiger next year, despite him not having yet signed a new contract.

The 20-year-old was the No.12 pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft but was dropped for Richmond's elimination final against North Melbourne earlier this year.

"Ben's certainly not disgruntled," Richardson said.

"Like any player would be, he was disappointed to miss out on selection in that last game.

"Ben's really happy at Richmond, we want him to stay. I'm really confident he'll stay."

Ben Lennon re-signs with Richmond for two more seasons, ending any possibility that the Tigers could lose him during the NAB AFL Trade Period.

"Throughout this process, Ben always wanted to stay at Richmond, and we always wanted to retain him," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"There was no discussion about him being involved in any trades. Sometimes negotiations can become protracted, but pleasingly we were able to reach a position that both parties are comfortable with.

"We look forward to Ben developing into the player we believe he has the potential to become."

Lennon's future at Richmond remains in doubt, with the Tigers still yet to sign the uncontracted youngster.

Lennon played the last eight home and away games this year before being controversially dropped for the elimination final against North Melbourne.

Lennon's manager Anthony McConville said that although Lennon wants to remain at Tigerland, it was no certainty.

"We've still got a bit of work to do to make sure that a deal gets done," McConville said.

"He's played 16 games over two years, which some would say is a fair effort. His expectation is very high of himself.

"He's just come off another hip operation so he's been limited in his preparation for the first two years.

"Going forward into another pre-season fully fit, we expect a lot of Ben next year, as I'm sure Richmond do.

"There's been considerable interest from outside clubs. Ben's hoping to remain at Richmond, so we'll just work towards that outcome."

Ben Lennon has earned the round 22 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

A year ago, he was omitted for Dustin Martin after Richmond's round 22 win over St Kilda and didn't play in the Tigers' elimination final mauling at the hands of Port Adelaide.

But Lennon has worked hard on his game to be part of the Tigers' dangerous attack leading into this year's finals campaign.

"It was a bit of a surprise when they told me, they told me in the team meeting so it was pretty good. (The boys) gave a bit to me, which was expected," Lennon said.

"I haven't really thought about finals too much, I'm just trying to play my role and stay in the team as long as possible."

Richmond will continue to use youngster Ben Lennon at both ends of the ground, with his slow-burn introduction to AFL football likely to continue in his second season.

"He's probably one of those guys who's capable of playing forward and back, depending on where we see a need at this stage – whether it's back or forward, he'll play there," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said of Lennon.

"He's got some things we really like in his game that can help us and make us better."

Ben Lennon makes his AFL debut for Richmond at the MCG with 8 disposals (6 kicks and 2 handballs), 3 marks and 2 goals in a 17-point loss to Melbourne.