AFL draft 2022: Wangaratta’s Joe Richards in the sights of six clubs

Joe Richards thought his draft dreams ended four years ago. But a brilliant season for Wangaratta has clubs back on the hook.

Wangaratta’s Joe Richards is daring to dream he will be the latest draft bolter from outside the AFL’s traditional talent pathways.

His talents first became obvious six years ago in only his third Ovens and Murray league senior match when he booted 11 goals.

“It all bounced my way that particular day,” Richards said.

“I was only 16, but I reckon I looked about 12.”

Richards played for the Murray Bushrangers in the under-18s competition and in the first of two senior O and M premiership teams with Wangaratta the following year.

But his initial draft dreams went unrealised.

The first of three best and fairests in 2018 still didn’t arouse any interest from recruiters with Covid wipe-outs of the 2020-21 seasons the next roadblocks.

Joe Richards celebrates a goal for Wangaratta in this year’s Ovens and Murray league grand final. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Refusing to let the dream die, Richards put together a 2022 season to remember that began with a starring role for the O and M in an interleague match in May and ended with another flag and best and fairest with Wangaratta.

He is now on the radar of six clubs heading into this month’s AFL draft including grand finalists Geelong and Sydney, Collingwood and Port Adelaide.

“I’d go anywhere,” Richards, who is a teacher’s aide at Wangaratta’s District Specialist School said.

“When I was 18, my draft year, and nothing happened, I pretty much thought it was over.

“But you can never really write it off.”

Joe Richards completes the sprint test during the 2022 AFL State Draft Combine last month. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos Getty Images

Collingwood 2010 premiership player Ben Reid has been Richards coach for the past two years and says the young star could do no more to get an opportunity.

“He’s done all the work to put his name up there,” Reid.

“All he needs now is someone to give him a chance.

“He’s only 22, he is still very young.

“He has missed two years of footy due to Covid so you could argue he’s still only a 20-year-old in football terms.”

Joe Richards playing for the Ovens and Murray in May. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Reid’s former club, one of the teams interested in picking up Richards, has developed an appetite for taking on mature aged recruits in recent years.

John Noble, Ash Johnson and Josh Carmichael have all been late bloomers taken by the Magpies.

Richards is a third generation Wangaratta Magpies player.

His late grandfather Len Richards played in the club’s record four flags in a row from 1949 and father Robbie a player and coach.