Tiger PSD doubt
4:01:49 PM Mon 12 December, 2005
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au
Richmond is an unlikely starter in Tuesday's NAB pre-season draft as the Tigers' instead look to concentrate on the rookie draft following the success last year of Will Thursfield and Nathan Foley.
Both have been elevated onto the senior list for 2006 following impressive performances this year - when they were promoted onto the senior list following long-term injuries to senior players - with both registering six matches for the season.
Thursfield, the first pick in last year's rookie draft and the Tigers only selection with Foley having been picked up the year before, was particularly impressive and made a memorable debut in round 14 when he played on Michael O'Loughlin as Richmond beat the eventual premiers by a point.
The Tigers have pick five in the pre-season draft and can select up to five rookies in the rookie draft.
Rookies must be aged at least 18 but under 23 as of December 31 this year, can be on club lists for two years but can only be promoted onto the senior list when a vacancy arises due to a long-term injury.
Due to the Tigers' tight financial position, football manager Paul Armstrong told Sportal that if the Tigers' used their pre-season pick to fill the final spot on their senior list then it would mean the club would be forced to take less rookies.
"It might mean we only take three rookies compared to four," he said.
"Last year we were only able to take one (Thursfield) and we already had Foley who was in his second year (as a rookie) and now both are on our senior list so we had some success there."
"And this year we think there might be a few good rookies."
With their first pick in the rookie draft coming at selection five, the Tigers should be able to get one of the top youngsters overlooked in last month's national draft.
However Armstrong did not rule out the Tigers using their pre-season draft pick depending on which players Carlton, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Essendon used with their first four selections.
"We will see how it falls with the first four picks but we are more unlikely than likely to participate (in the pre-season draft)," Armstrong said.
The Tigers had been linked to ex-Essendon pair Ben Haynes and Marc Bullen as well as ex-Kangaroo Michael Stevens but if the club elects not to use its pre-season draft pick on any of this trio then none would be available to be rookie-listed as all are aged over 23.
However leaving a vacancy on the senior list by not using the pre-season draft pick would then enable the Tigers to promote one of their rookie list players onto the senior list at any time if he showed good form at VFL level.
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