Tigers want Ball but won't waste draft picksrichmondfc.com.au
By Ben Broad | Wed 14 October, 2009
RICHMOND would be interested in Luke Ball but is unlikely to part with any of its picks in next month’s national draft to secure the disgruntled Saint.
Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale says he has a high regard for the former St Kilda captain and best-and-fairest winner but his club, under the guidance of new coach Damien Hardwick, is more intent on rebuilding.
Ball is still just 25 but given the Tigers’ desire to draft as many youngsters as it can, Gale doubts his club will have an opportunity to nab Ball.
“I wouldn’t have thought [we’d select him in] the national draft,” Gale told SEN on Wednesday.
“We’ve got eight or nine picks [so] we’ve got to exercise our judgement very carefully in getting those picks right; there’ll be a focus on youth and developing our own players.
“But certainly, if Luke was available in the pre-season draft – and I’m not convinced he will be by the time we get around [to having a pick] – but if he were available I’d imagine we’d be having a close look.
“At 24, 25 years of age I think it’d be a great opportunity [for him] to be a great role model and leader of our young and exciting, emerging players.”
Richmond has picks 3, 19, 35, 44, 51, 67 and 72 in next month’s NAB AFL Draft.
The Tigers will also have a pick in the pre-season draft but will follow Melbourne – which has flagged its interests in gaining Ball’s services.
Gale said Hardwick was eager to put an emphasis on competitiveness as well as instilling a defensive mindset in the Tigers’ camp.
“He’s got a blueprint for success, I think, which involves a number of ingredients, and there’s a real focus on youth,” Gale said.
“We’ve got some established players that are 22, 23 … we want to complement that core with a young group and have a core bunch of guys between 21 and 25 in the next few years.
“We want to reserve our draft picks to get those sort of players into the club.”
Richmond finished 15th in 2009 and despite the likelihood of an extra $500,000 being poured into the club’s football department next season, that might not correlate to better on-field results.
Gale said the club had gone some way to addressing its ageing list but Tigers fans couldn’t expect immediate success in the next two seasons.
“They’re going to be developing years, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” he said.
One man who has survived the cull – at least from the coaching staff’s point of view – is veteran Matthew Richardson.
But while many believe Richardson playing on is a fait accompli, Gale said the man himself was still deciding.
“As far as I know Matt’s yet to confirm whether he’s going to play on,” he said.
“I think there’s a role for him in the coach’s plans but really the decision is Matthew’s to go away and decide whether he has the capacity from a physical point of view and the conviction to go around another year.
“At this stage we’re confident he will, but we’re just awaiting final confirmation from Matt … my understanding is that he’s just reserving his judgement for a little bit longer.”
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/86067/default.aspx
