Richmond recruiting manager says clubs will look to snare more northern academy prospects

Richmond snaffled two Lions academy talents in consecutive picks on draft night. And the Tigers recruiting manager says it won’t end there with talent on the improve. Plus, his take on the new Tiger cubs.

Will Martyn and Noah Cumberland were among the players taken by the Tigers. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond recruiting manager Matthew Clarke believes talent will continue to be poached from the improving northern academies.

The Tigers plucked Lions academy duo Noah Cumberland and Will Martyn with successive picks in the third round of last month’s National Draft with Brisbane opting not to match the bids.

Brisbane had previously matched Essendon’s bid on fellow Lions academy product Keidean Coleman six picks before the Tigers’ two selections.

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Noah Cumberland was plucked from the Lions academy

“The academies have worked and it is spilling out the talent, it’s great for us,” Clarke said on the Talking Tigers podcast.

“In previous years, before the academies, they sort of played in division two and weren’t attractive to watch, but their footy is really good to watch now – both New South Wales and Queensland.

“Realistically if they produce ten really good players a year they can’t take them all anyway so there are opportunities for other clubs if you’ve done the work.”

Clarke said he was “surprised” the Tigers landed both Cumberland (Pick No. 43) and Martyn (No. 44) without the Lions matching. The pair got a taste of senior footy in the NEAFL and were part of Brisbane’s premiership triumph.

Will Martyn captained the Lions academy this year.

Cumberland had spent time out of the elite pathway over the past two years but stepped back into the Lions academy this season.

“We were a little surprised that he got through,” Clarke said.

“(Cumberland has) pace, real power and leg speed so he plays mainly as a forward and a little bit on-ball, but he’s physically tough and smashes in.

“He likes to grab the ball and go with it.”

His teammate Will Martyn captained the Lions academy side and Clarke was full of praise for the youngster.

“He’s probably one of the more professional kids you will ever come across in terms of working on his game, rehab and diet.

“He can play multiple roles, he’s a really good runner, uses the ball both sides, he’s got good hands.”

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Richmond’s first pick on draft night, Bendigo Pioneers product Thomson Dow, was a surprising selection to some but was the Tigers highest ranked player left on the board.

A home visit from Clarke and fellow recruiter and former Tiger Will Thursfield in the final week before the draft ultimately sealed the deal.

“It was one of those ones where we walked out and Will asked, ‘have we drafted him already?’” he said.

Thomson Dow was taken by the Tigers with their first selection.

“He can probably play inside and outside but he can also play forward as well. He can play some centre bounce long term but (also) can play some wing – some of his good stuff for Geelong Grammar was playing deep forward.”

Meanwhile, Tiger draftee Hugo Ralphsmith has already impressed at his new club with a strong time in the club’s three kilometre time-trial on Saturday.

“He came out and ran really impressively in the (time-trial) … right up the front,” Clarke said.

“I can see him playing as a marking forward or on the wing outside, he’s got good wheels and a big tank so he can push up and back all day hopefully.”

Originally published as Richmond recruiting manager says clubs will look to snare more northern academy prospects