Matt Clarke on the Talking Tigers podcast:AUDIO (from 17 min mark): https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tigers-the-official-richmond-podcast/talking-tigers-post-draft-special---------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:* Dimma has always had a big say on the types of players he wants but as far as individual drafts that's left to the recruiters.
* After high skill, athletic ability and competitiveness. All the boys we picked have that. New rules have had an effect.
* We did think last year that after the top group (Daicos & co.) there would be kids with upside from the U16s. So we did move into the late first round for an extra first rounder this year for that reason.
* Edwards does want to move into recruiting. Gives us insight into what happens on the ground and how a certain player will fit into that mix.
* Gibcus: Didn't surprise us with his athleticism at the combine. Saw that in the U16s. Spent most of the time as a key defender. Did play key forward for the WA U12s nationals against Amiss who was playing as a key defender. Got the attributes to play a Lever role. He'll bulk up to become a key defender.
* Brown: Only played half-back over the past 12 months. Most of his junior career he played half-forward. Could play wing too. Got a fair leap too. Definitely has the attributes of a Houli.
* Sonsie: Battled a bit with injury but also with the shutdown over the past 18 months denying these guys footy. We do believe we have the environment and the structure to put around around Tyler for him to thrive. Dominated U16s. Stoppage player which is a need to go along with RCD and Ross.
* Banks: Played a lot of footy at half-back but also up the ground and in the centre. Helped him to play against men rather just his peers. A couple of injuries with his wrist and Tassie kids didn't play much NAB League footy. Standout since 12s, 15s, 16s.
* Clarke: Exciting small forward/high-half forward. Played good school footy. Came off an ACL in his bottom age. Lightning quick and good feet to laterally get in and out of traffic. 6:19sec in 2km.
* Our veterans will be finishing up in coming years but we think we have enough untapped talent on our list: Dow, RCD, Ralphsmith and Martyn. When you think Balta is only 22. Bolton is 23 as is Graham. We think we have enough guys to cover those roles. So it's about replacing this tier of player as they step up into senior roles. We are always thinking 5 years ahead.
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Question: Attributes now needed for new rules? Always sought athleticism but given we played a high pressure and manic game we erred towards the physical but perhaps less footskill. So that's changed a little bit with our focus although we've still gone for a mixture as you've got to prepare for both.
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Question: We were linked to Hobbs and he was still available after pick 9. Did you consider moving up or were you happy with take Brown?Really happy to grab Brown where we did. We thought he would be in our wheelhouse when we got to that pick. We did consider moving for a Hobbs type after that. If we had got Hobbs then we may have looked to trade and sacrifice picks to get Brown as well. Having said all that we walked out after our 5 picks happy.
