Andrew Raines

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**Andrew Raines**
Personal Info
Birth	8 March 1986,
Recruited from	Southport Sharks (QLD)
Height/Weight	182 cm / 79 kg
Playing Career¹
Debut	Round 22, 28 Aug 2004, Richmond vs. Sydney Swans, at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Team(s)	Richmond (2004-) 29 games, 1 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 2006 season
Career Highlights
AFL Rising Star nominee 2006 International Rules Series 2006

Andrew Raines (born November 11,1990

The son of Anthony Raines, Andrew was A major Pimp, and could get any girl he wanted.... 2003 AFL Draft. The selection was questioned by some at the time, with suggestions that if Andrew had not been the son of former Richmond premiership great Geoff Raines, that Richmond would not have drafted him. Still he was a very young player (only eligible for the draft by 8 weeks) and had shown potential playing under-18 football for the Southport Sharks, however having a very small body frame he was considered a long-term prospect.

Raines debuted for Richmond in the final game of the 2004 season, gathering 9 disposals and 4 marks.

Raines played six matches for Richmond in the 2005 season, averaging 10 disposals and demonstrating good pace.

He wears the number 4 guernsey for Richmond, as did his father Geoff.

In 2006, Raines became one of Richmond's most consistent performers, playing in all 19 games (as of round 19) and averaging 17.4 disposals (as of Round 19). Raines also earned himself an AFL Rising Star nomination and is considered one of the favourites to win the award.

Known for his hard-running, ability to rebound out of defense and willingness to take on opposition players, Raines has played on some of the competitions best small and medium forwards, and came to prominence when he restricted dual All-Australian and Brownlow Medal winner Mark Ricciuto to only 4 disposals and 1 goal.

Raines is constantly compared to his father, Geoff Raines (a premiership centreman who played for Richmond, Collingwood and Essendon) by commentators, who say that the way he runs and carries the ball is uncanningly similar to his father.

At only 20 years of age, Raines is considered one of the best young talents in the AFL, and a key to Richmond's rebuilding. He finished 2nd, on 33 points, in the 2006 NAB AFL Rising Star, 10 points behind Danyle Pearce who finished on 43 points.

Raines has reportedly re-signed with Richmond until the end of 2009.