Richmond list analysis: Every player’s contract status

Richmond will soon have to make some big decisions on its playing list. Is this group coming or going? See when every Tiger is out of contract.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin has another three years remaining on his contract. Picture: Michael Klein

The band at Richmond is sticking together for at least one more year.

After that, there looks set to be a major break-up coming.

The Tigers have most of their premiership stars locked away again for 2022, with veterans Bachar Houli and David Astbury the only senior players out the door.

However, many of their stars are now in the twilight of their careers with seemingly not a lot left in the tank.

It means Richmond looks like having one last crack at a fourth premiership in six years next season.

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Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards and Kane Lambert are among 16 players currently due out of contract at the end of 2022.

This year’s best-and-fairest, Dylan Grimes, is then due out of contract in 2023.

After a disappointing 2021 campaign, Richmond looks to be in transition mode.

But if the Tigers have a better run with injury next year, they could well bounce back.

1. Nick Vlastuin — Age: 27. Games: 173. Status: Contracted until 2026

An established defender, the three-time premiership player essentially made himself a Tiger for life by signing a five-year contract extension in March. Vlastuin played only 12 games this year due to quad and knee injuries and was sorely missed given his elite intercepting ability. However, he has a durable player across his career.

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Dylan Grimes claimed his first Jack Dyer Medal in 2021. Picture: Michael Klein

2. Dylan Grimes — Age: 30. Games: 192. Status: Contracted until 2023

A leader and quality player down back all year, it was little surprise to see Grimes collect the Jack Dyer Medal as the Tigers’ best-and-fairest player for 2021. He is rarely beaten and helps set up Richmond’s attack with his intercepting ability. Incredibly durable in recent years, Grimes has missed just four games across the past five seasons.

3. Dion Prestia — Age: 28. Games: 173. Status: Contracted until 2024

The transition midfielder is still the right side of 30, but his body has continually failed him over the past two years. Across the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Prestia played just 18 of a possible 43 games due to hamstring, calf and ankle issues. The Tigers need to get a big pre-season into him and get him right for next season.

4. Dustin Martin — Age: 30. Games: 260. Status: Contracted until 2024

By his lofty standards, Martin’s output was a little down this year and his form largely aligned with the performance of his team. The star midfielder-forward averaged only 93 SuperCoach points across his 16 games, his first year with an average of under 100 since 2012. Martin’s season ended prematurely with a lacerated kidney, but the Tigers hope it won’t affect his return to pre-season training.

The Tigers will be keen to get Dustin Martin back fit and firing in 2022.

5. Jack Ross — Age: 21. Games: 29. Status: Contracted until 2022

Primarily used on a wing in a new role this year, Ross more than doubled his career games tally as he chalked up 15 matches in 2021. However, he was a non-playing medical substitute in four of those games. The Tigers like him and will be hoping he can take another step in his development next year on the back of a solid finish to the season.

6. Patrick Naish — Age: 22. Games: 9. Status: Out of contract

A father-son selection in the 2017 national draft, Naish was informed in August that he would be let go after four seasons at Punt Rd which included a VFL premiership in 2019. The midfielder managed just six games this year, including two as a medical substitute.

7. Liam Baker — Age: 23. Games: 64. Status: Contracted until 2022

Finished equal-second in the best-and-fairest behind Dylan Grimes after a career-best season. Baker began the year in his usual role across half-back but went on to be used to great effect through the midfield and in the forward line as the season wore on. A serious talent with further upside.

Liam Baker is Damien Hardwick’s Mr Fixit. Picture: Michael Klein

8. Jack Riewoldt — Age: 32. Games: 305. Status: Contracted until 2022

The key forward was in the final year of a contract this year, but the Tigers granted him one-year extension mid-season for 2022. Riewoldt finished the season as Richmond’s leading goalkicker for an incredible 11th time and finished third in the Coleman Medal race with 51 majors. “Jumping Jack” might not have the leap he once did, but he’s still got the footy smarts and is a quality kick.

9. Trent Cotchin — Age: 31. Games: 268. Status: Contracted until 2022

The captain had his critics during a mid-season form slump but finished the year in better fashion. He missed five games through injury, but averaged 20.8 disposals through the midfield from the 17 games he played and often led from the front with his hunt of the ball. Cotchin will fall just short of 300 games if next year is his last.

Trent Cotchin is out of contract at the end of next season. Picture: Michael Klein

10. Shane Edwards — Age: 32. Games: 281. Status: Contracted until 2022

Like others, the classy midfielder is in the twilight of his career and his output was a little down in 2021. That wasn’t helped my multiple minor injury issues which saw Edwards miss six games. If he has a largely injury-free run next year, he should chalk up 300 games.

11. Jason Castagna — Age: 25. Games: 118. Status: Contracted until 2023

The small forwards struggled for Richmond this year and Castagna was no exception. He managed just 17 goals from 21 games and was played as medical substitute in Round 21 before being dropped the following week. However, his pressure game remained strong for most of the year and the Tigers gave him a two-year contract extension in August.

Jason Castagna kicked 17.13 this season. Picture: Michael Klein

12. David Astbury — Age: 30. Games: 155. Status: Out of contract

The triple-premiership key defender announced in August that he was hanging up the boots, playing his final game against Hawthorn in Round 23.

14. Bachar Houli — Age: 33. Games: 232. Status: Out of contract

The defender who could have won a Norm Smith Medal in 2017 was shown the door by the Tigers in August after an injury-interrupted year, despite having been keen to play on.

Jayden Short is one of Richmond’s most dependable players. Pic: Michael Klein

15. Jayden Short — Age: 25. Games: 114. Status: Contracted until 2022

The booming right-footer had another solid year, finishing seventh in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest after playing every game. Statistically it was the best season of Short’s career as he averaged 24.6 disposals, 6.9 rebound-50s and 98 SuperCoach points.

16. Jake Aarts — Age: 26. Games: 35. Status: Contracted until 2022

The small forward was a constant for Richmond throughout the year, playing all but one game. However, his second half of the year was a lot quieter than his first. Aarts kicked 18 goals for the season but managed only three goals from his last 11 games.

17. Daniel Rioli — Age: 24. Games: 114. Status: Contracted until 2022

The three-time premiership forward made the move to the other end of the ground this year and has reinvigorated his career as a rebounding half-back. After being dropped twice up until Round 15, Rioli played inspired football in the final seven rounds and averaged 19.7 disposals.

Tom Lynch has four years to run on his mega contract. Picture: Michael Klein

19. Tom Lynch — Age: 28. Games: 193. Status: Contracted until 2025

Coach Damien Hardwick was forced to go into bat for Lynch on a couple of occasions this year, with the key forward’s form a little up and down. But he still kicked 35 goals from 18 games for the season in a solid return, generally working in tandem with Jack Riewoldt (51 goals).

20. Ivan Soldo — Age: 25. Games: 36. Status: Contracted until 2022

The 204cm ruckman missed the entire 2021 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and medial ligament in the final round of the home-and-away season last year. However, the Tigers see the 2019 premiership player as a key part of their structure and will be keen to see him back next year.

21. Noah Balta — Age: 21. Games: 44. Status: Contracted until 2023

Likened to former star defender Alex Rance, Balta has had an impressive past two years which have included a premiership in 2020. The Tigers will need him to step up again in a key defensive post next year after the retirement of David Astbury. Balta had played every game this year before going down with an ankle injury in Round 15.

Noah Balta’s season was cut short by injury. Picture: Michael Klein

22. Josh Caddy — Age: 28. Games: 174. Status: Contracted until 2022

The 2017 and 2019 premiership player is weighing up a move to a fourth club despite being under contract, having found himself out of favour the past two years. Caddy was dropped three times this season and was picked for a total of just nine games, three of those as a non-playing medical substitute. He has been pushed out of the forward line and his lack of speed means he is not particularly well-suited to a wing or midfield role.

23. Kane Lambert — Age: 29. Games: 128. Status: Contracted until 2022

The midfielder-forward managed just 13 games due to injury this year, but the fact he still finished ninth in the club’s best-and-fairest count shows how highly valued he is by the Tigers. He rated elite among general forwards for disposals, averaging 20.6 a game, while also averaging 6.2 score involvements.

Kane Lambert was sorely missed when he was out with injury.

25. Toby Nankervis — Age: 27. Games: 98. Status: Contracted until 2023

Dustin Martin aside, the bullocking ruckman is arguably Richmond’s most important player and it showed at stages this year. Nankervis managed only 16 games due to injury, but gives his all every time he steps out onto the field and sets the tone for the Tigers midfielders around stoppages.

26. Riley Collier-Dawkins — Age: 21. Games: 9. Status: Contracted until 2022

Next year will be Collier-Dawkins’ fourth season at Richmond and shapes as a big one for the big-bodied midfielder, who will be desperate to consolidate his spot in the team. Selected at pick 20 in the 2018 national draft, he only made his senior debut this year and played nine games for the season. Won the Tigers’ best first-year player award.

27. Thomson Dow — Age: 19. Games: 7. Status: Contracted until 2023

The Tigers like Dow and rewarded him in August with a two-year contract extension. After playing two games in his debut season in 2020, the outside midfielder played a further five games in the back half of this year. Dow is a hard worker on the track and is seen as a player with plenty of potential upside.

Richmond’s Shai Bolton inked a two-year contract extension in August. Picture: Michael Klein

29. Shai Bolton — Age: 22. Games: 67. Status: Contracted until 2023

One of the shining lights in a disappointing season for the Tigers, Bolton is one of the most exciting midfielder-forwards in the competition and finished fourth in the club’s best-and-fairest. He played 20 games, averaging 19.6 disposals and kicking 23 goals. Having been a priority signing, Bolton finally inked a two-year contract extension in August.

31. Rhyan Mansell — Age: 21. Games: 13. Status: Contracted until 2023

The rookie-listed player was a revelation across half-back on debut this year, playing 13 games and averaging 11.1 disposals after being picked up in the Supplementary Selection Period in February. While primarily a lockdown player, Mansell also averaged 2.8 rebound-50s and was rewarded post-season with a two-year contract extension.

32. Samson Ryan — Age: 20. Games: 1. Status: Contracted until 2022

The 206cm ruckman was seemingly played a little prematurely when he made his AFL debut against St Kilda in Round 15 this year and did not lodge a touch. However, big men take time and the Tigers like what they see in the project player.

33. Kamdyn McIntosh — Age: 27. Games: 125. Status: Contracted until 2023

The speedy wingman has become an important player for the Tigers with his hard running both ways. The 2017 and 2020 premiership player featured in 17 games this year, averaging 15.5 disposals and 374 metres gained. McIntosh was voted by his teammates this year as the player who best embodies the club’s theme of “connection”. Signed a contract extension in August.

Jack Graham had a career-best season in 2021.

34. Jack Graham — Age: 23. Games: 77. Status: Contracted until 2023

The gut-running midfielder who played in the 2017 premiership in just his fifth AFL game keeps getting better and produced a career-best 2021 season. Graham averaged 19 disposals and kicked 11 goals from 22 games to finish equal-second in Richmond’s best-and-fairest count behind defender Dylan Grimes.

35. Nathan Broad — Age: 28. Games: 84. Status: Contracted until 2022

An important mid-sized defender, Broad was sorely missed in the back end of the season after going down with a syndesmosis ankle injury that sidelined him for the final eight games. At 192cm he can play tall or small and ranked elite among general defenders for intercepts, intercept marks and kicking this year as well as above average in one-on-one contests.

36. Will Martyn — Age: 20. Games: 3. Status: Contracted until 2022

In his second season at Punt Rd, Martyn got a couple of opportunities this year. He was picked for three games but played in only two, serving as a non-playing medical substitute in the other. The tough inside midfielder has impressed at VFL level and there were some good signs in his AFL appearances, leading the Tigers to grant him a one-year contract extension in August.

37. Matthew Parker — Age: 25. Games: 25. Status: Out of contract

Picked up in the mid-season draft, the former St Kilda forward played a role in the second half of the season. He featured in six matches and looks to have done enough to win a new deal for next year, not that the Tigers have locked one in just yet.

Matthew Parker is waiting to find out if he’ll get a contract for 2022. Picture: Michael Klein

38. Noah Cumberland — Age: 20. Games: 0. Status: Out of contract

The midfielder-forward arrived at Richmond with pick 43 in the 2019 national draft but has had limited opportunities since after he ruptured his ACL at training last May. He did show some good signs in the VFL this year, though, including a 20-disposal, five-goal game against Collingwood in Round 13.

39. Mate Colina — Age: 22. Games: 0. Status: Contracted until 2022

A Category B rookie with a college basketball background, the 213cm ruckman is a project player who is yet to be sighted at either AFL or VFL level since signing with the club in September last year. Colina had been playing division one basketball for the University of Hawaii, but grew up in Melbourne and played football as a junior.

40. Callum Coleman-Jones — Age: 22. Games: 9. Status: Out of contract

The 200cm ruckman-forward showed some good signs across eight games this year, most notably when he kicked four goals against Adelaide in Round 11. The Tigers have put a contract offer to Coleman-Jones but it remains to be seen if he takes it up or seeks greater opportunity elsewhere given he will continue to be third in line behind Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch in the Tigers’ attack next year.

Richmond ruckman-forward Mabior Chol remains out of contract. Picture: Getty Images

41. Mabior Chol — Age: 24. Games: 31. Status: Out of contract

Another 200cm ruckman-forward, Chol’s best games have been brilliant but his consistency has been an issue. He’s now had six seasons at Punt Rd for 31 games including 10 this year. An unrestricted free agent, he is assessing his options for next year considering Ivan Soldo is expected to return to the ruck alongside Toby Nankervis.

42. Ryan Garthwaite — Age: 23. Games: 14. Status: Out of contract

The defender played five games in the back half of the season but has now had five years at the club and is yet to lock down a regular spot. At 192cm, he’s an awkward size given he is not particularly athletic or a great kick.

43. Derek Eggmolesse-Smith — Age: 23. Games: 9. Status: Out of contract

The defender looks likely to be delisted for a second time in 12 months, after being delisted last November only to win back a list spot in March. However, he managed only one senior game this year, against Sydney in Round 3.

44. Sydney Stack — Age: 21. Games: 33. Status: Out of contract

After last year’s suspension, which rolled into the first four games this year, Stack has seemingly done everything right to earn a new deal. He played the final seven AFL games of the season after some solid VFL form earlier in the year. When fit and at his best, he’s a serious talent.

Sydney Stack won back his spot in the Tigers’ best 22 this year. Picture: Michael Klein

45. Hugo Ralphsmith — Age: 19. Games: 6. Status: Contracted until 2023

The speedy midfielder-forward showed plenty of promise on debut this year, playing five games and serving one as a non-playing medical substitute. The son of former Hawthorn and St Kilda flyer Sean Ralphsmith, the Tigers have been impressed with his development and handed him a new two-year deal in August.

46. Ben Miller — Age: 22. Games: 1. Status: Out of contract

An unrestricted free agent, the 198cm key defender has been on Richmond’s list since 2018 but played his first senior game in only Round 23 against Hawthorn after some good VFL form.

47. Bigoa Nyuon — Age: 20. Games: 0. Status: Out of contract

Unsighted at AFL level so far, the 2019 draftee played some good football as an athletic key defender across seven VFL games this year, averaging 10.6 disposals, five marks and 4.7 intercept possessions.

49. Maurice Rioli — Age: 19. Games: 2. Status: Contracted until 2022

The Tigers were happy with what Rioli was able to provide in his debut season as he played two of the final three games of the year. While the small forward only had six and three touches in those games respectively, he kicked a goal in each match and provided some good forward pressure.

50. Marlion Pickett — Age: 29. Games: 38. Status: Contracted until 2022

The two-time premiership player played in all but four games this season and was generally a solid contributor on a wing. Pickett averaged 15.7 disposals, 3.5 marks and 282 metres gained from his 18 matches.

Originally published as Richmond list analysis: Every player’s contract status