Richmond 2022 list analysis: Every Tiger’s contract status
As Richmond reshapes its list for its next premiership tilt, several flag heroes are coming towards the end of contracts. How many will be part of the next Punt Road glory?
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Richmond bounced back into the finals after a year outside the eight but lost a thriller to Brisbane at the first hurdle.
On the back of the retirements of premiership trio Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert and Josh Caddy, the Tigers have reloaded by adding GWS midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper during the trade period.
Do the moves jam the flag window open? Where does Richmond’s list sit entering the 2023 campaign? Here’s the contract status of every player on the list.
1. Nick Vlastuin. Age: 28 | Games: 190 | Status: Signed to 2026
The defender benefited from the retirement of Bachar Houli, averaging a career-high 21.19 possessions in an impressive season. Inked a five-year deal last year.
2. Dylan Grimes. Age: 31 | Games: 207 | Status: Signed to 2023
Named co-captain before the start of the season and had another consistent campaign before sustaining tendon damage to his hamstring that required surgery in the lead-up to the finals.
3. Dion Prestia. Age: 30 | Games: 192 | Status: Signed to 2024
One of Richmond’s most important players, Prestia has another two seasons left on a deal he agreed to last year. After playing just nine games the previous two campaigns, the midfielder featured in 19 in 2022 before he was injured during the elimination final loss.
4. Dustin Martin. Age: 31 | Games: 269 | Status: Signed to 2024
Rumours suggested the superstar would leave at season’s end, but he stayed. Martin played just nine games in 2022, taking personal leave early in the campaign after his dad Shane’s death then later sustaining a hamstring injury. Still has two years to run on the massive seven-year deal he signed in 2017. How he returns next year will have a big impact on the club’s fortunes.
5. Jack Ross. Age: 22 | Games: 44 | Status: Signed to 2024
The midfielder had been without a deal for next season before re-signing for two years leading up to the finals. Looms as an important player in coming campaigns as the older guard retires.
6. Robbie Tarrant. Age: 33 | Games: 193 | Status: Signed to 2023
The veteran defender played 20 games in his first season at the club after arriving from North Melbourne. Tarrant has a year to run on his contract.
7. Liam Baker. Age: 24 | Games: 87 | Status: Signed to 2024
Baker’s signature was much sought-after and the WA product rebuffed interest from West Coast to ink a two-year deal with the Tigers. He has been an important player in a variety of roles.
8. Jack Riewoldt. Age: 33 | Games: 326 | Status: Signed to 2023
The long-time Richmond star signed a one-year extension in early September. Riewoldt, who sits second all-time second for games at the Tigers and fourth for goals, is coming off a 40-major campaign. He missed just two matches in 2022.
9. Trent Cotchin. Age: 32 | Games: 287 | Status Signed to 2023
The former captain inked a one-season extension after the club’s elimination final loss to Brisbane. Cotchin played well enough this year to continue. The 300-game milestone is on the horizon.
10. Shane Edwards. Age: 33 | Games: 303 | Status: Retired
The three-time premiership player bowed out at the end of the season. A brilliant player who was instrumental to Richmond’s success, Edwards was the medical substitute in his swan song, the elimination final loss to Brisbane.
11. Jason Castagna. Age: 26 | Games: 134 | Status: Signed to 2023
The small forward has another season to run on a deal signed 12 months ago. He was the medical substitute in each of the last three minor rounds and did not feature in the elimination final.
15. Jayden Short. Age: 26 | Games: 137 | Status: Signed to 2027
The Tigers’ 2020 best-and-fairest agreed to a five-year contract extension in May, a deal that should make him a one-club player. Spent more time in the midfield this past season.
16. Jake Aarts. Age: 27 | Games: 42 | Status: Delisted
Aarts was the medical substitute in five of his seven matches this year, unable to regularly crack into the team. The mature-age recruit was delisted this month.
17. Daniel Rioli. Age: 25 | Games: 137 | Status: Signed to 2027
Rioli became a hot commodity in his contract year after an impressive shift from the forward line to half-back. Inked a five-season extension and also made the All-Australian squad of 40.
19. Tom Lynch. Age: 29 | Games: 212 | Status: Signed to 2025
His 63 goals from 19 games gave him the best average of his career yet he could only make the 44-man All-Australian squad, not the team. Lynch has plenty of good football left and is contracted for three more years.
20. Ivan Soldo. Age: 26 | Games: 49 | Status: Signed to 2024
Was linked with a trade to GWS but ultimately Richmond did not part with him. The Tigers re-signed the ruckman on a three-year deal in late 2021 after he had sidelined all season with a serious knee injury. Featured in 13 minor-round games this past campaign as Richmond moved away from playing two specialist rucks, but that could change again if the interchange is expanded next season.
21. Noah Balta. Age: 22 | Games: 62 | Status: Signed to 2023
Looms as a re-signing priority heading into next season. Hamstring issues sidelined the versatile big man earlier in the campaign but he returned in round 18 and went on to help the Tigers secure another finals berth.
22. Josh Caddy. Age: 29 | Games: 174 | Status: Retired
Hung up his boots in May while battling a hamstring problem, opening a list spot for the Tigers ahead of the mid-season draft. Played in two Richmond flags after stints at Gold Coast and Geelong.
23. Kane Lambert. Age: 30 | Games: 135 | Status: Retired
The three-time flag winner pulled the pin, effective immediately, in July because of a nagging hip issue. His injury restricted him to just seven games in 2022. Had been a very important member of the Tigers’ premiership teams.
25. Toby Nankervis. Age: 28 | Games: 121 | Status: Signed to 2023
Awarded the co-captaincy at the start of the season and was a warrior again, playing every match. A crucial member of the side, Nankervis has a year to run on a deal he inked in late 2020.
26. Riley Collier-Dawkins. Age: 22 | Games: 11 | Status: Delisted
The 20th pick in the 2018 draft featured just twice at AFL level this year. Richmond re-signed a heap of its younger players late in the campaign but axed the tall midfielder this month.
27. Thomson Dow. Age: 21 | Games: 13 | Status: Signed to 2023
Played five matches in a row early in the season but could not force his way into the team for the run into the finals, aside from one game in round 17. Has another year left on his deal.
28. Josh Gibcus. Age: 19 | Games: 18 | Status: Signed to 2025
The first-year swingman added two seasons to his initial contract ahead of the finals. Taken at pick 9 in last year’s draft, Gibcus missed just five matches and showed plenty of promise.
29. Shai Bolton. Age: 23 | Games: 90 | Status: Signed to 2023
The West Australian has become one of the best and most watchable players in the competition, so coach Damien Hardwick is hopeful he will be tied down to a longer deal soon. Kicked 43.41 for the year, including 4.5 against Port Adelaide.
30. Tom Brown. Age: 19 | Games: 0 | Status: Signed to 2025
The son of former Geelong player Paul Brown was taken at pick 17 in last year’s draft. A rebounding defender, Brown is yet to debut but signed a two-year contract extension last week.
31. Rhyan Mansell. Age: 22 | Games: 15 | Status: Signed to 2023
Extended his contract in August last year by two seasons. The rugged defender’s two games this campaign came in rounds 6 and 8, including a run-in with Jack Ginnivan that led to a one-match suspension.
32. Samson Ryan. Age: 21 | Games: 1 | Status: Signed to 2024
The ruck/forward inked a two-year contract extension in January. Debuted against St Kilda in round 15, 2021, his sole game to date, and has been progressing in the VFL.
33. Kamdyn McIntosh. Age: 28 | Games: 146 | Status: Signed to 2023
Re-signed on a two-year deal late in 2021. McIntosh had another reliable campaign, featuring in all bar five matches.
34. Jack Graham. Age: 24 | Games: 97 | Status: Signed to 2023
Set to enter the last season of a three-year deal he signed late in 2020. Toured Port Adelaide during this month’s trade period but stayed at Tigerland. Was an emergency for the elimination final after being sidelined with a foot injury.
35. Nathan Broad. Age: 29 | Games: 107 | Status: Signed to 2023
Was reported to have quietly triggered an extension earlier this year. Did not miss a game, again proving very reliable in defence.
36. Will Martyn. Age: 21 | Games: 3 | Status: Delisted
The midfielder did not play a game this year after three in 2021. He was axed this month.
37. Matt Parker. Age: 26 | Games: 30 | Status: Delisted
Mutually agreed to part ways with the Tigers in July so he could return home to WA for family reasons. He, his partner and three children reportedly struggled with life in Melbourne. The former Saint played 11 games for Richmond.
38. Noah Cumberland. Age: 21 | Games: 9 | Status: Signed to 2024
The forward was a livewire after debuting as an unused medical substitute in round 11, kicking 19.13 from his next eight games. Signed a two-year extension in early August.
39. Mate Colina. Age: 23 | Games: 0 | Status: Out of contract
The former basketballer made his VFL debut mid-season and went on to feature in seven state-league games in total. At 213cm, he would be the tallest AFL player if he ever lines up at the top level.
40. Tyler Sonsie. Age: 19 | Games: 7 | Status: Signed to 2025
The Tigers have clearly been impressed with what Sonsie has shown since being drafted with pick 28 last year. He added two more seasons to his deal in early August and played the last seven games of the season, including the elimination final.
41. Sam Banks. Age: 19 | Games: 0 | Status: Signed to 2025
One of Richmond’s five top-30 picks in last year’s draft, the Tasmanian has impressed at VFL level. He gathered a season-high 26 disposals in the club’s final state-league match of the campaign. One of three youngsters to sign two-year extensions last week.
42. Judson Clarke. Age: 18 | Games: 3 | Status: Signed to 2025
Booted two goals on debut against Port Adelaide then played the next two games before falling out of the side. Taken with pick 30 in November, he was the third of the trio of Tiger cubs to add two years to the contracts in recent days.
43. Jacob Bauer. Age: 20 | Games: 0 | Status: Signed to 2023
The mid-season draftee arrived at Tigerland from SANFL club North Adelaide on an 18-month contract, giving him extra security. He is a marking forward who kicked 16.12 from nine VFL games.
44. Sydney Stack. Age: 22 | Games: 35 | Status: Delisted
Featured just twice at AFL level this year – once as an unused medical substitute – and not at all after round 8. He had been sidelined with a fractured cheekbone. Was delisted this month.
45. Hugo Ralphsmith. Age: 20 | Games: 19 | Status: Signed to 2023
The dashing half-back was a regular for the bulk of the campaign before falling out of the side for the run into finals. Has another year left on his contract.
46. Ben Miller. Age: 23 | Games: 12 | Status: Signed to 2024
Like Cumberland and Sonsie, the big man re-signed in early August. Miller, who played 11 games this year in defence and back-up ruckman, including the elimination final, added two years to his deal.
47. Bigoa Nyuon. Age: 21 | Games: 1 | Status: Out of contract
Made his AFL debut in the round 9 win over Hawthorn but could not force his way back into the side afterwards. Faces an anxious wait.
49. Maurice Rioli. Age: 20 | Games: 17 | Status: Signed to 2024
Inked a new, two-year deal leading into the finals. The pressure forward’s second season featured 14 goals from 16 games while taking another step in his development.
50. Marlion Pickett. Age: 30 | Games: 57 | Status: Signed to 2023
The West Australian’s brilliant AFL story will continue next season after agreeing a one-year extension in mid-August. After famously debuting in the 2019 grand final, Pickett has barely missed a game during the past three campaigns.
RECRUITS
Jacob Hopper. Age: 25 | Games: 114 | Status: Signed to 2028
The midfielder arrived from GWS during the trade period, along with ex-Giants teammate Tim Taranto. In 2021, he finished third in the best-and-fairest and was in the All-Australian squad, but injury restricted him to seven games this past season.
Tim Taranto. Age: 24 | Games: 114 | Status: Signed to 2028
Featured 16 times for the Giants this season before requesting a trade to Richmond. Like Hopper, Taranto inked a seven-year deal at the Tigers.
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