Found it interesting to re-read the original post in this thread.
We actually were warned this was going to happen.
Some interesting comments in there worth considering amidst the shenanigans, real or perceived, going on.
Tigers planning to be active trade week players
By Steve Lavell
7:23 PM Wed 05 May, 2010
RICHMOND has revealed its plans to target players from opposition clubs as it strengthens its developing list beyond 2010.
In a report on richmondfc.com.au, general manager of football Craig Cameron wrote that the Tigers' trade-week intentions had been encouraged by the introduction of the Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney franchises.
Former Port Adelaide national recruiting manager Blair Hartley crossed to Punt Road in the off-season, and Cameron confirmed Hartley, as opposition and list analyst, would be heavily involved in luring senior players.
However, parting with the club's first draft pick was unlikely at this stage.
"We need to search for players outside the traditional pathways," Cameron said.
"If we have an early selection in the draft, then that will come via the traditional pathways (i.e. TAC Cup), but we will broaden our recruiting horizons in a bid to find the necessary talent to bolster our playing list and, with Blair now on board, we anticipate being quite active in the trade market.
"We're one of the first AFL clubs to have a fully-resourced trading division in our overall recruiting structure, so we are confident we'll be capably equipped to make smart decisions with regards to trades."
Cameron also said that despite Gold Coast's prominence in this year's NAB AFL Draft, Richmond would not be disadvantaged.
Gold Coast will have nine of the first 15 selections while 2010's wooden spooner will receive pick No.4.
Richmond is currently on the bottom of the AFL ladder and, along with Adelaide, is yet to win a game this season.
"A lot has been made about ... how it's not a good time to be 'bottoming out', with Gold Coast having so many early picks," Cameron said. "Well, I can assure you there will still be talented players available at our draft selections.
"The whole issue of bottoming out is an interesting one, too, because it's difficult to pinpoint the actual time when you bottom out.
"We brought 14 new players into the club late last year, and have drafted quite a few other young players over the past two or three years ... so I don't agree that we're going to be as disadvantaged as what many others in the football world would have you believe.
"We have a substantial group of young players on our list and we'll add to that at the end of the year, as well as find some more experienced, bigger-bodied players, who can help us out as well."
Meanwhile, Cameron added that media criticism of emerging forward Jack Riewoldt had been unfair, and that the 21-year-old "battles his heart out each week for us".
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/93714/default.aspx
I highly doubt we will end up without a pick somewhere in the thirties as well as 6/7.
Given that we could be loosing two mature bodied players, so whether it is direct player swap or swap for pick then on trade the pick (or our original equivalent, which ever is higher
), we are likely to recruit two players around the 22/23 age bracket.
The question is, will it be the names being thrown about?
Sure where there's smoke there is fire. I have no doubt the club has spoken to most if not all the players associated with us, but that does not necessarily mean we will trade for them. When acquiring an important asset you would be remiss not to explore all options, then make your decision, not the other way around.
Or is there a smokey being kept quiet?
