Jake Aarts Biography

Jake Aarts makes his AFL debut for Richmond at the MCG with 15 disposals (6 kicks and 9 handballs), 3 marks and 2 tackles in a 27-point win over Melbourne.

Jake Aarts can't wait to swap his nail bag and hammer for a pair of footy boots and a mouthguard, with six years of toiling away in the VFL finally paying off for the new Richmond rookie.

The 24-year-old has served a lengthy apprenticeship, playing first for the now-defunct Bendigo back in 2013-14 and then for the Tigers' own VFL team from 2015-18.

"I was on the tools every day, working all day and then coming to training … long hours, long days," Aarts said.

"I was used to it so I just kept working hard and now I'm here. I'll put the nail bag down for a bit now."

Richmond select Jake Aarts with pick No.16 in the 2018 Rookie Draft.

“I am a hard worker, I train hard, play hard and (I’m) a really competitive player,” Aarts said.

“My mindset has sort of been the same every year since I was a junior – just keep working hard and the rewards will come from that.”