How should Richmond attack a mid-season trade and draft period if it was happening this year?
THE competition for spots at the Tigers is hotter than ever, with the likes of Anthony Miles and Shai Bolton unable to crack in. If there was a mid-season trade period right now, would the Tigers move them on?
Richmond
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THE countdown is on. Forget the ‘if’, it is now a matter of ‘when’ a mid-season trade period is introduced into the AFL season.
While it won’t be in 2018, there is no doubt clubs are already planning how they will wheel and deal their way through it.
In anticipation of what will be one of the biggest changes in recent AFL history, the SuperFooty team are jumping on the front foot to analyse how key clubs should attack a mid-season trade period if it was happening right now.
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RUN HOME: WHERE WILL YOUR CLUB FINISH IN 2018?
THE TACKLE: CHECK OUT ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES
From the deals that could catapult each club up the ladder to the players who could be shipped out, here is your guide for Richmond.
1. WOULD THE TIGERS BE BUYERS OR SELLERS?
Richmond is living in the now so it’s buy, buy, buy. The Tigers have a premiership list — who can keep them at the top of the pile for this year and the next few while Dusty, Cotchin, Rance and Riewoldt are at the top of their game. But they will keep an eye to the future so they don’t fall off the cliff in a few years.
2. WHAT DOES THE CLUB HAVE TO WORK WITH?
The Tigers traded their third-round draft selection to Geelong last year in a pick swap but are sitting on first, second and fourth-round picks. As it stands they will fall at pick 18, 36 and 72.
That’s not going to get the Tom Lynch deal done (if the Suns push for an early trade) but there are 15 players out of contract including some high draft picks who are regularly in the VFL best players but struggle to break into the best 22
3. SHOULD THEY BE WORRIED ABOUT LOSING DEPTH PLAYERS?
There are plenty of candidates who could be open to more opportunities elsewhere. Only Gold Coast offered Anthony Miles a rookie list spot at the end of last season but would a club that needs a hard-headed ball-winner throw him straight in the guts for the back end of the year? He’d certainly give Patrick Cripps some protection. But Miles, along with Sam Lloyd, are the first reserves in case of a midfield injury so the Tigers will be wary of giving too much away. Corey Ellis, a first-round draft pick who just hasn’t been able to crack the best 22 on a consistent basis, could be offered up and Oleg Markov is in the same boat. Any young talls are off limits with Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt a lot closer to the end of their careers than the start.
4. CAN THEY AFFORD TO PART WITH A SMALL FORWARD?
The Tigers have built their unique game style around forward pressure and have more of that style of player than any other team with three in the starting 22 (four if you count Jack Higgins) plus Tyson Stengle, Shai Bolton and Liam Baker all arguably playing AFL-quality footy in the VFL. Bolton would likely attract the most interest with his exciting highlights reel and draft pedigree (pick 29). He’s coming out of contract and could be thinking of returning home to WA.
5. WHICH CLUBS DO THEY NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM?
The Tigers are in the hunt for back-to-back flags and won’t do anything to give a leg up to a potential finals rival, which would seem to rule out allowing Bolton to join the Eagles.
They would be very happy to deal with Gold Coast and bottom clubs still a few years away from the premiership window — Carlton, St Kilda, Brisbane and even the Dogs.
6. SHOULD THEY BE WORRIED ABOUT FREE AGENTS?
Bachar Houli is a restricted free agent and Shaun Grigg and Reece Conca are unrestricted — and all three remain unsigned. The first two are premiership heroes entering the latter stages of their careers (both are 30) and you can’t see them playing anywhere else.
7. WHO COULD THEY TAKE IN MID-SEASON DRAFT?
The Tigers have one of the best mature age recruits already on their list in Kane Lambert but could they find another?
Shaun Mannagh is currently playing with the club’s VFL side and has shown a liking for the big stage.
He booted two goals in last year’s VFL grand final, almost lifting his side to victory.
The Tigers could use the 20-year-old as a forward, inside midfielder or on a wing, making him the perfect replacement if the club loses some of its depth players.
8. DO THE TIGERS NEED SOME KEY POSITION INSURANCE?
The Tigers might get Tom Lynch is a couple of months as a free agent.
But should they look at some forward insurance if Jack Riewoldt goes down with an injury?
With Adelaide out of the finals race, Mitch McGovern may be in-play.
He is a great talent and would give the Tigers another level of September X-factor.
With the Crows looking to stockpile assets to get the first pick in the draft, a top pick from the Tigers would help.
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