surely ramps the difference between pick 4 and picks 6-8 is not the difference between being a competitive side and being crap. You could possibly put an (relatively week) argument forward that it is the difference between winning a premiership and being runners up or consistently getting loosing prlims, but not the difference a resemblance of success and abject failure.
The idea that we are crap because of a lack of early draft picks is just wrong. There are a multitude of reasons - basicaly in every aspect Richmond has not been able match the standard and professionalism of other clubs . We are talking about recruiting, development, player welfare, off field stability/unity, coaching staff/regimes, football resources, income stream, marketing, club culture. These are the things that if you get right will bring success. Always has been and always will be.
The idea that we have not had enough early draft picks is not only too simplistic, but it is just plain wrong. We have had stacks, but have been too big a basket case of a club to take advantage of it.
I don't think it's half the equation Rolls, but a lot less. Getting everything else right is a major part of the equation, but yes, that it basically the point I'm trying to make