Staying or going? The latest intel and verdict on every Richmond player ahead of 2026
It was far from the season that many Tiger fans expected – and now Richmond will enter 2026 with hope. But who will be there to fuel the resurgence this year and into the future?
Richmond has some decisions to make with its list over coming weeks, with the futures of eight out-of-contract players still uncertain.
Kamdyn McIntosh played his last game for the Tigers in the final round of the home-and-away season against Geelong, having been told he would not be offered a new deal for 2026.
Richmond has also announced that Jacob Bauer and Mate Colina will not be offered contract extensions after rough injury runs.
Midfielder Dion Prestia inked a new deal post-season, but eight other players are still without a deal for next season.
Most of those are taking part in a VFL finals campaign, after which Richmond is expected to make some decisions ahead of the trade and draft period.
Here is the contact status of every Richmond player — and how their 2025 season panned out.
1. NICK VLASTUIN
Age: 31 Games: 255 (2025 games: 22) Contract ends: 2026
Richmond’s only representative in the All-Australian squad, Vlastuin enjoyed an outstanding year and could take out his club’s best-and-fairest award. The experienced defender missed the last game of the season with an ankle injury but played every other match, averaging 19.1 disposals, 6.1 marks and 7.5 intercept possessions. In a challenging season for the side, he was a rock down back and also provided some counter-attack as he ranked No. 1 at the club for rebound 50s. Vlastuin signed a five-year deal in 2021, which sees him coming out of contract at the end of next year.
Status: Staying
2. JACOB HOPPER
Age: 28 Games: 165 (2025 games: 23) Contract ends: 2029
Hopper’s third season at Punt Rd was clearly his best and the midfielder is expected to finish prominently in the club’s best-and-fairest count. After managing only 12 games in 2024 due to injury, Hopper featured in all 23 matches this season and averaged 26.4 disposals and 5.7 clearances. A tough inside player, he finished the campaign as Richmond’s leading clearance player, forming a solid partnership with Tim Taranto at centre bounce. Hopper has four years remaining on a seven-year deal he signed at the end of 2022 to join Richmond from GWS.
Status: Staying
3. DION PRESTIA
Age: 32 Games: 237 (2025 games: 12) Contract ends: 2026
The three-time premiership player looked unlikely to play on earlier in the year after being sidelined for the first 10 weeks through injury. But after returning for one game through the VFL, Prestia played every AFL game in the back half of the season, averaging 23 disposals and 4.4 clearances. He continued to spend significant time at centre bounce and wins footy in and around the contest. Prestia signed a new one-year deal in August, with the club wanting to keep him around so he can help develop the other young midfielders.
Status: Staying
5. JACK ROSS
Age: 24 Games: 93 (2025 games: 23) Contract ends: 2026
One of only five Tigers to play every game this season, Ross played a role as a midfielder-forward. He has a crack and averaged 19.1 disposals and three clearances, earning more opportunities at centre bounce in the second half of the year. Ross also finished the season as Richmond’s No. 1 inside-50 player, leading goal assist player and second-highest tackler. He signed a two-year contract extension at the end of 2024.
Status: Staying
7. RHYAN MANSELL
Age: 25 Games: 73 (2025 games: 20) Contract ends: 2026
A half forward who competes fiercely and can play a defensive role, Mansell was a permanent fixture in Richmond’s attack this year. He missed only three games through suspension early in the year, but averaged 11.3 disposals, 3.5 tackles and ranked elite for forward 50 pressure across his 20 matches. Mansell also finished the year as Richmond’s third-highest goalkicker with 18 majors, behind only Seth Campbell (28) and Tom Lynch (26). Mansell inked a two-year contract extension in 2024.
Status: Staying
12. BEN MILLER
Age: 26 Games: 69 (2025 games: 23) Contract ends: 2026
Used as a forward and ruckman earlier in his career, Miller has become an important part of Richmond’s defence over the past two seasons and produced another good year. One of just five Tigers to play every game this season, the key defender was a rock in a backline which was missing Noah Balta for a lot of the year. Miller averaged 12.4 disposals, 6.1 marks and five spoils, showing improved confidence and strength in his game. He played 95 per cent of game time for the season in a backline which saw more than its fair share of footy. Miller signed a two-year contract extension in 2024.
Status: Staying
13. HUGO RALPHSMITH
Age: 23 Games: 12 (2025 games: 62) Contract ends: 2026
Injuries at both ends of the season meant Ralphsmith missed half the year, but the wingman was a regular senior player when he was available in the middle part of the year. He’s got some speed and averaged 13.4 disposals and 299 metres gained from his 12 games, before a hamstring injury put him on the sidelines for the final seven weeks. Ralphsmith signed a two-year contract extension in 2024, leaving him out of contract at the end of next year.
Status: Staying
14. TIM TARANTO
Age: 27 Games: 21 (2025 games: 173) Contract ends: 2029
After an injury-interrupted 2024, Taranto played all but two games this year and worked in tandem with Jacob Hopper at centre bounce throughout the year. The Tigers’ second-ranked player for the season behind Toby Nankervis, he averaged 25.6 disposals, 5.5 clearances and kicked 15 goals from his 21 games. Taranto’s kicking still lets him down at times, but he couldn’t be accused of not having a crack. He led the Tigers for tackles, laying 103 for the season. Like Hopper, Taranto signed a seven-year deal to join Richmond from GWS at the end of 2022.
Status: Staying
15. JAYDEN SHORT
Age: 29 Games: 190 (2025 games: 15) Contract ends: 2027
While not quite at the level he had produced in recent years, Short still produced a solid campaign as a rebounding halfback despite missing a chunk of games in the middle of the season with knee and calf injuries. A link-up player coming out of defence, he averaged 21.2 disposals, 3.9 rebound 50s and 443 metres gained, providing some run and rebound. Short still has two years to go on a five-year contract extension he signed in 2022.
Status: Staying
16. JOSH SMILLIE
Age: 19 Games: 0 (2025 games: 0) Contract ends: 2027
A big-bodied midfielder who was selected at pick 7 in last year’s national draft, Smillie was the only one of eight 2024 Richmond draftees not to debut at AFL level this season. Hamstring and quad injuries meant the 196cm onballer featured in only four VFL games, from which he averaged 16.3 disposals and three clearances. However, the Tigers are confident they can get Smillie right as he eyes a debut in 2026. As a top-20 draft pick last year, Smillie received an initial three-year deal.
Status: Staying
17. MAURICE RIOLI
Age: 23 Games: 49 (2025 games: 13) Contract ends: 2026
After missing much of the second half of last year with an ankle injury, Rioli endured a frustrating first half of 2025. He started the year in the VFL before twice being dropped from the AFL side, leaving him with just five appearances at senior level at round 16. However, the small forward went on to feature in the last eight games of the year, with his workrate and pressure lifting. He laid one of the tackles of the year against West Coast in round 19 and ranked above average for forward 50 pressure across the season. But the challenge for Rioli will be to find more of the footy in a contract year in 2026, after he averaged just 8.5 disposals, 2.6 score involvements and 0.4 goals this season.
Status: Staying
18. JOSH GIBCUS
Age: 22 Games: 21 (2025 games: 1) Contract ends: 2026
Sidelined for the first 16 weeks of the season as he continued his recovery from an ACL, Gibcus played six VFL games late in the year before returning for Richmond’s final-round AFL clash against Geelong. The key defender played three quarters of that match before being subbed out as the club carefully manages him in a bid to get a full season out of him in 2026. A no. 9 draft pick in 2021, Gibcus signed a one-year contract extension at the end of 2024 which takes him through until the end of next year.
Status: Staying
19. TOM LYNCH
Age: 32 Games: 236 (2025 games: 16) Contract ends: 2026
Having played just four games in 2024 due to injury, Lynch got his body right this year but missed six games through two separate suspensions. Across the 16 matches he did play, he averaged 10 disposals, 4.2 marks, 4.9 score involvements and 1.6 goals. Lynch provided a strong marking target and the club sees his leadership and on-field presence as being valuable as he mentors some of the younger key forwards coming through. The two-time premiership player signed a one-year contract extension in early August, which will see him line-up for a 16th AFL season in 2026.
Status: Staying
20. JACOB KOSCHITZKE
Age: 25 Games: 64 (2025 games: 2) Contract ends: 2025
Traded from Hawthorn at the end of 2023, the move hasn’t quite worked out for Koschitzke. Picked up as a key forward, he played 14 games in attack in 2024 before being tried in a new role in defence this year. Koschitzke played defence at VFL level for most of the year before coming into the AFL side for two late-season games in Tom Lynch’s absence, where he plugged a hole in the forward line but went goalless.
Status: Likely Going
21. NOAH BALTA
Age: 25 Games: 117 (2025 games: 13) Contract ends: 2032
Charged with an off-season assault of a man last December, Balta started the year on the back-foot. He served a club-imposed suspension for the first four weeks and then missed matches due to a court-imposed curfew. It made for a severe lack of continuity for the athletic key defender, who was also swung forward at stages late in the year. Balta averaged 11.8 disposals and 4.6 marks from his 13 games, but the Tigers will hope to get a full season from him and greater output next season. Balta inked a seven-year contract extension at the end of 2024, making him Richmond’s longest-signed player.
Status: Staying
22. SAM LALOR
Age: 19 Games: 11 (2025 games: 11) Contract ends: 2027
The No. 1 draft pick made a very nice round 1 debut with 18 disposals and two goals against Carlton, winning an instant AFL Rising Star nomination. His skill and power excited fans, but he only played half the season in the end due to hip and hamstring injuries. Lalor averaged 12 disposals, 4.4 score involvements and kicked 11 goals across his 11 games, kicking multiple goals in four matches. Richmond will hope he can get his body right and take another step forward next season. Lalor was signed to an automatic three-year deal as a top-20 draft pick last year.
Status: Staying
23. JUDSON CLARKE
Age: 21 Games: 17 (2025 games: 0) Contract ends: 2026
Signed to a one-year contract extension in May after returning to the VFL from an ACL injury, the No. 30 draft pick from 2021 suffered a devastating third ACL injury during a VFL match in June just as he was closing in on an AFL return. A skilful left-footer, Clarke averaged 15.3 disposals and 0.7 goals from his six VFL appearances before the latest injury blow struck. He is expected to be sidelined until at least the middle of next season.
Status: Staying
24. TAJ HOTTON
Age: 19 Games: 7 (2025 games: 7) Contract ends: 2027
Selected at pick 12 in last year’s national draft, Hotton missed the first half of the season as he continued his recovery from an ACL injury. But he played three VFL games after the mid-season bye before playing the last seven games of the season at AFL level. Hotton averaged 12.7 disposals, 4.3 score involvements and kicked three goals across those games, showing his speed and X-Factor across half-forward, on a wing and during stints through the midfield. Hotton was signed to an automatic three-year deal as a top-20 draft pick last year.
Status: Staying
25. TOBY NANKERVIS
Age: 31 Games: 179 (2025 games: 22) Contract ends: 2026
Serving as captain for a fourth-straight season – the past two as sole skipper – the combative ruckman led from the front in a struggling side. Nankervis was Richmond’s No. 1 ruck all year and finished as the side’s No. 1 ranked player for the season, averaging 15.9 disposals, 33 hitouts and 4.7 clearances. He was managed with a knee issue in round 11, but otherwise played every game for the season. Nankervis signed a two-year contract extension last year.
Status: Staying
26. JONTY FAULL
Age: 19 Games: 16 (2025 games: 16) Contract ends: 2027
Richmond’s third draftee at pick 14 last year, Faull showed himself to be a competitive young key forward this season. He missed a lot of his draft year in 2024 with a back injury but made a round 5 AFL debut and played 16 games in a row from there, averaging 7.3 disposals, 2.8 marks and kicking nine goals. Faull’s accuracy in front of goal was his only downfall as he went at 29 per cent, but he competed well in the air and took some big contested marks before missing the last three games of the year with a knee injury. Faull was signed to an automatic three-year deal as a top-20 draft pick last year.
Status: Staying
27. THOMSON DOW
Age: 23 Games: 45 (2025 games: 11) Contract ends: 2025
The midfielder made a solid start to the year, playing the first 11 games for the Tigers and averaging 18.5 disposals and 2.7 clearances rotating between onball and wing roles. However, a dislocated kneecap during the Dreamtime match in round 11 sidelined Dow for the remainder of the season, leaving his future uncertain after six seasons at the Tigers. He had signed a one-year contract extension at the end of last year.
Status: Wait and see
28. KANE McAULIFFE
Age: 20 Games: 14 (2025 games: 5) Contract ends: 2027
An onballer who has shown real promise over the past two years since being selected at pick 40 in the 2023 national draft, McAuliffe averaged 18.4 disposals and two clearances in five mid-season AFL appearances. He spent significant time onball and showed signs of improvement in those games but then suffered a quad injury at training which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Having already been contracted for this year, McAuliffe signed a two-year extension at the end of 2024.
Status: Staying
29. JASPER ALGER
Age: 18 Games: 4 (2025 games: 4) Contract ends: 2026
A 183cm forward who is capable in the air and at ground level, Alger made four AFL appearances this year after being selected at pick 58 in last year’s draft. He started as substitute in two of those games, but booted two goals from 11 disposals in a positive showing against Adelaide in round 16. Alger also averaged 11.4 disposals, 5.1 score involvements and 1.3 goals from 12 VFL games. He received an automatic two-year deal as a national draft pick last year.
Status: Staying
30. TOM BROWN
Age: 22 Games: 42 (2025 games: 23) Contract ends: 2027
A rebounding halfback who reads the play well and uses the ball well by foot, Brown was one of just five Tigers to play every game this season. He averaged 14 disposals, 3.8 rebound 50s and 317 metres gained as an important member of the back-six. Brown also laid a game-saving rundown tackle against West Coast in round 9 which has been replayed plenty of times and won mountains of praise. He was signed to a two-year contract extension in May.
Status: Staying
31. LUKE TRAINOR
Age: 19 Games: 21 (2025 games: 21) Contract ends: 2027
Drafted as a defender at pick 21 in last year’s national draft, Trainor started the season down back before being swung onto a wing after Thomson Dow went down with a knee injury in round 11. There he showed himself to be a strong runner and a good mark in the air as he earned an AFL Rising Star nomination in round 18. Trainor averaged 14 disposals, four marks and 248 metres gained across his debut season, during which he missed only two games late in the year. He signed a one-year contract extension in May, on top of the automatic two-year deal he received as a national draft selection last year.
Status: Staying
32. SAMSON RYAN
Age: 24 Games: 25 (2025 games: 2) Contract ends: 2027
A 206cm ruckman, Ryan signed a three-year contract extension in 2024 but only featured in two AFL games this season. One was one which Toby Nankervis missed in round 11, with the two rucks only playing together in one round 6 game against Gold Coast. In his fifth season at the Tigers, Ryan also managed only five VFL games between repeat foot injuries. He returned from a second stint on the sidelines for Richmond’s final game of the regular season in the state league.
Status: Staying
33. KAMDYN MCINTOSH
Age: 31 Games: 213 (2025 games: 23) Contract ends: 2025
A two-time premiership player, McIntosh was one of only five Tigers to play every game this season. While he started as the substitute in four matches, the running machine with the headband made one wing his own and averaged 14.5 disposals and 242 metres gained. But McIntosh was told in August that he would not have his contract renewed for 2026 and played his last game for the Tigers in a final-round loss to Geelong.
Status: Going
34. HARRY ARMSTRONG
Age: 19 Games: 8 (2025 games: 8) Contract ends: 2027
A promising lead-up key forward, the No. 23 draft pick from last year had some good moments this season. He leaps at the footy and took some good contested marks, while also getting on the end of six goals across his eight games. He started and finished the season in the senior side – going up against some quality opposition defenders – but missed three months in the middle of the year with a hamstring injury. Armstrong signed a one-year contract extension in May, on top of the automatic two-year deal he received as a national draft selection last year.
Status: Staying
35. NATHAN BROAD
Age: 32 Games: 170 (2025 games: 22) Contract ends: 2026
A reliable defender who can play taller and is a quality interceptor, Broad was a key part of Richmond’s defensive structure again this year. The three-time premiership player missed just one game for the season, averaging 14 disposals, 5.9 marks, 4.1 spoils and 2.9 rebound 50s. As others departed the club at the end of 2024, Broad signed a one-year contract extension to secure his future until at least the end of 2026.
Status: Staying
36. JAMES TREZISE
Age: 23 Games: 24 (2025 games: 16) Contract ends: 2026
A 2023 mid-season draft selection from Richmond’s VFL program, the athletic left-footer was used on a wing and across halfback this year. Four of his games were as a substitute and he had a seven-week stint in the VFL in the middle of the season. However, Trezise finished the year at AFL level and averaged 12.9 disposals from his 16 games. Having been out of contract this year, he signed a one-year extension in May.
Status: Staying
37. LIAM FAWCETT
Age: 20 Games: 1 (2025 games: 1) Contract ends: 2026
A 197cm key forward who was selected at pick 43 in the 2023 national draft, Fawcett missed most of his debut season in 2024 with a back injury. But he managed to play most of this year at VFL level as he continued his development, missing only five games with a foot injury and one game through concussion. Across 11 VFL games, he averaged 7.9 disposals, 2.5 marks and 0.6 goals. Fawcett featured in only one AFL game against Port Adelaide in round 2, kicking one goal from five disposals. He signed a one-year contract extension in June.
Status: Staying
38. THOMAS SIMS
Age: 19 Games: 11 (2025 games: 11) Contract ends: 2027
A 199cm key forward or ruckman who was drafted at pick 28 in last year’s draft, Sims started the year at VFL level before making an AFL debut in round 9. He averaged 6.8 disposals, 2.2 marks and 0.4 goals across his 11 games, showing slices of his talent. Sims missed the final two rounds of the season with an elbow injury but didn’t require surgery, which should see him ready to begin day one of pre-season. Sims signed a one-year contract extension in May, on top of the automatic two-year deal he received as a national draft selection last year.
Status: Staying
39. MATE COLINA
Age: 26 Games: 0 (2025 games: 0) Contract ends: 2025
A basketball convert who arrived at the club as a Category B rookie in 2022, the 211cm Colina had a luckless injury run. Across the past three years, the ruckman has been sidelined for 61 games due to back, shoulder and knee injuries. He managed just seven VFL games this year, averaging 5.7 disposals and 10.9 hitouts. Richmond announced post-season that Colina would not be offered a contract for 2026.
Status: Going
40. TYLER SONSIE
Age: 22 Games: 40 (2025 games: 16) Contract ends: 2025
In his fourth season at the Tigers, Sonsie was in and out of the senior side across the first half of the year. He found some form as an onballer at VFL level in the middle of the year, though, before going on to play the last 12 games of the season in the seniors. Sonsie averaged 15.3 disposals and 3.3 score involvements primarily as a half-forward and wingman. He racked up a career-high 28 disposals in a round 20 game against Collingwood, after a 21-disposal and one-goal game against West Coast the previous week. Hopes are that he will receive a new deal as he comes out of contract, but that is still up in the air for now.
Status: Watch this space
41. SAM BANKS
Age: 22 Games: 43 (2025 games: 22) Contract ends: 2027
One of the biggest positives for Richmond this season, Banks produced a breakout fourth season. The No. 29 draft pick from 2021 more than doubled his career games tally, missing just one match for the year. He averaged 21.1 disposals, 3.9 rebound 50s and 411 metres gained as a key distributor and link-up player coming out of defence, ranking No. 1 at Richmond for metres gained. A smooth-mover who uses the ball well, Banks collected a career-high 30 disposals in the final round against Geelong. He signed a two-year contract extension in June.
Status: Staying
42. MYKELTI LEFAU
Age: 27 Games: 11 (2025 games: 1) Contract ends: 2026
One of the members of Richmond’s ACL club earlier in the year, the 2024 SSP signing returned through the VFL mid-season before playing his first AFL game in 393 days against Adelaide in round 16. However, that return lasted less than a half. The 195cm powerful marking forward was subbed out with a calf injury which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Lefau signed a two-year contract extension at the end of last year after a promising debut season.
Status: Staying
43. JACOB BAUER
Age: 23 Games: 12 (2025 games: 5) Contract ends: 2025
A mid-season draft pick from 2022, Bauer featured in the first five games of this season and kicked goals in each of the first three. But the 192cm key forward wasn’t sighted again at senior level after round 5. He spent most of the year in the VFL, where he kicked 12 goals across 10 matches. An ACL injury suffered in a VFL match against Geelong in early July ended that campaign, though. Richmond announced post-season that Bauer would not be offered a contract for 2026.
Status: Going
44. SETH CAMPBELL
Age: 20 Games: 43 (2025 games: 22) Contract ends: 2029
After an impressive 2024, Campbell took another step forward this season, finishing as the Tigers’ leading goalkicker with 28 majors. A small forward with plenty of tricks, he ranked above average for disposals, forward 50 pressure, forward 50 groundball gets and goals. Campbell started the year with a backflip to celebrate a goal in a round 1 win over Carlton and missed only one game for the season through concussion protocols. The Tasmanian product – who was a 2022 rookie draft selection – signed a three-year contract extension in July.
Status: Staying
45. TYLAR YOUNG
Age: 26 Games: 35 (2025 games: 7) Contract ends: 2025
After missing the first 10 weeks of the season as he continued his recovery from an ACL, Young had a six-game stint in the VFL before finishing the season strongly at AFL level. The key defender can lock down on opponents but is also a proficient interceptor and averaged 14 disposals, 6.7 marks and 3.7 spoils this season. Young – who is in his third year since being selected in the 2023 rookie draft – is out of contract but is expected to earn a new deal.
Status: Likely Staying
46. JACOB BLIGHT
Age: 23 Games: 10 (2025 games: 7) Contract ends: 2025
A 2024 mid-season draft selection, the 196cm key defender played three AFL games in the back half of last year and featured in the first five matches of this season. He showed some good intercept ability and one-on-one work in the air, but made way for Noah Balta when he returned to the side from suspension. Blight played some good VFL football across the year but only had two more look-ins at AFL level in rounds 16 and 17 before being dropped once again. Had he played one more senior game, Blight would have hit a contract trigger for an extension in 2026. But he spent the last seven weeks in the VFL, leaving the West Australian’s future at Richmond in limbo.
Status: Wait and see
47. OLIVER HAYES-BROWN
Age: 25 Games: 0 (2025 games: 0) Contract ends: 2025
A 208cm basketball convert who originally joined the Tigers as a Category B rookie at the end of 2023, Hayes-Brown is yet to be sighted at senior level but served as a No. 1 ruckman at VFL level for much of the season. There he has averaged 12.6 disposals and 21.8 hitouts across 15 games, competing strongly and showing good follow-up work and continued growth.
Status: Wait and see
48. STEELY GREEN
Age: 21 Games: 25 (2025 games: 19) Contract ends: 2026
A small forward who is clean and brings pressure, Green was a regular in the Tigers’ senior side throughout the year and showed some good signs during his third season. He averaged 7.4 disposals and kicked 11 goals from his 19 games, but was twice dropped, including for the final round of the season. Signed a one-year contract extension in May, so will be looking for a big 2026.
Status: Staying
49. KALEB SMITH
Age: 20 Games: 12 (2025 games: 8) Contract ends: 2025
A No. 29 draft pick in 2022, Smith missed all of his 2023 season with a foot injury and has managed only 12 games across two seasons since. He started as substitute in three of his eight games this year, across which the halfback averaged 11.1 disposals, 2.4 rebound 50s and 193 metres gained. His last AFL appearance was in round 15, but he had some big VFL performances in the back end of the year including a 30-disposal day against Williamstown in round 21.
Status: Wait and see
50. CAMPBELL GRAY
Age: 22 Games: 3 (2025 games: 3) Contract ends: 2025
Selected as a key forward in the 2024 mid-season draft, Gray switched ends to become a key defender this year. He played three AFL games in the first half of the season – plugging a hole in Noah Balta’s absence – before missing nine games with a knee injury. But he returned to the field for a wildcard round match against GWS in the VFL in August. Gray has averaged 11 disposals, 3.1 marks and 7.6 spoils from eight games at VFL level this year.
Status: Wait and see
Originally published as Staying or going? The latest intel and verdict on every Richmond player ahead of 2026
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