Richmond: Who's in play at the trade table & how they can afford Tom Lynch (HS)

[one-eyed]

Tom Lynch would be icing on cake for Richmond team getting better

DAVID KING,
Herald Sun
July 4, 2018 1:10pm

THE Tigers have inadvertently become the model club for all rebuilds.

Build the team around the core four or five stars and draft for a specific system. It’s clear that speed to both attack and defend is a key pillar in the Damien Hardwick blueprint.

Richmond sits atop the AFL table playing brilliant football via some different names this year like Nick Vlastuin, who looks more like Luke Hodge in his prime every single game, Jayden Short and Josh Caddy.

Shaun Hampson’s retirement leaves only Bachar Houli and Shaun Grigg on the wrong side of 30 years of age on the whole Richmond list. The Tigers are the AFL’s 12th-rated list for age, which is a scary proposition for the competition as they’re better than last season.

The acquisition of trades Toby Nankervis, Caddy and Dion Prestia were perfectly timed and the rumour they’ve got their hooks into Tom Lynch is strong, despite Collingwood appearing the frontrunner.

Richmond’s list is perfectly balanced with high-level stars and a healthy abundance of role players allowing for salary cap flexibility that can afford space for the calibre of a free agent like Lynch. It’s why football clubs win premierships, not just players.

JON RALPH ANALYSES THE TIGERS’ TRADE OPTIONS:

IN PLAY

1. Anthony Miles

Age: 26

Games in 2018: 1

Miles came in at the expense of Dustin Martin then was immediately dropped. But despite his inside midfielder’s gifts only Gold Coast was prepared to offer him a rookie-list contract last year. What happens to him given the opportunities haven’t come this year?

2. Shai Bolton

Age: 19

Games in 2018: 2

Has put talks on hold until the end of his second year, which doesn’t mean he is leaving. Being given midfield tutelage in the VFL, and would be smart to re-sign and break his way into the team.

3. Oleg Markov

Age: 22

Games in 2018: 0

Rivals will sniff around half-back flanker Markov, who hasn’t played any games this year after 15 in his first two seasons. Richmond wouldn’t be the only premier to have rivals attempting to poach their VFL players.

BUY BUY BUY

1. Tom Lynch

Age: 25

Club: Gold Coast

Games in 2018: 10

Richmond is confident about their chances of securing Lynch given their strong on-field position and links to his sister, who plays VFLW at the Tigers. The club is clearing cap space and would be even more of a powerhouse if they could secure him in front of the Pies and Hawks.

2. Mitch McGovern

Age: 23

Club: Adelaide

Games in 2018: 8

Lynch appeals to the Tigers given his special skills and status as a free agent. But if they missed on him would they consider another high-flying forward who might be happy to come to Melbourne?

3. Retention

The Tigers don’t want for anything apart from another tall forward. Their capacity to re-sign Shaun Grigg and Bachar Houli as well as a dozen other uncontracted players is more important than securing outside targets, Lynch aside.


WINS AND ROUNDABOUTS
The Tigers kept their focus on the draft, making an immediate splash with Jack Higgins bursting onto the scene as a No.17 draft pick. Father-son pick Patrick Naish is coming along in the VFL, with pick 25 Noah Balta highly rated.

FANTASY QUICK FIX
The Tigers don’t have any weaknesses, so would throw the house at Tom Lynch if mid-season trading was available to become even stronger in September.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tom-lynch-would-be-icing-on-cake-for-richmond-team-getting-better/news-story/6994be9733706329f3d4dc955b101858