Tigers eye classy midfield trio with first-round pickCallum Twomey
afl.com.au
November 10, 2014 8:59 PMMIDFIELD class is on the agenda for Richmond at this month's NAB AFL Draft, with three of the crop's better ball-users to be considered by the Tigers for their first selection.
Liam Duggan, Corey Ellis and Lachie Weller are believed to be on the club's recruiting radar for pick No.12, with the strong chance at least one of the trio will still be available.
Duggan started the year as a neat kicking half-back but progressed into the midfield where he showed a capacity to be used as an inside and outside option. He averaged 22 disposals in the TAC Cup this season, with about half of those contested.
But the Western Jets leader could be gone by the time the Tigers enter the draft, with Gold Coast (selection No.8 ) and West Coast (No.11) also interested.
Weller is also a possibility to be off the board by Richmond's pick, with the composed midfielder in consideration for the Eagles' selection. With a burst of speed and elite foot skills, the 18-year-old offers some midfield run and carry and can also push forward to set up and kick goals.
Ellis is unlikely to be picked before the Tigers' first selection, but will be considered by a number of clubs in the next handful of selections if the Tigers look elsewhere.
The Tigers last year drafted half-forward Ben Lennon at selection No.12, and he played seven games in his debut season.
Lennon had been long-linked to the club, having trained there early in the season as part of his AIS-AFL Academy scholarship, but the top end of this year's draft appears less settled.
Jarrod Pickett remains in contention for Greater Western Sydney's three top-10 picks and Gold Coast's pick No.8, and strong-marking half-forward Jordan De Goey has been linked to Collingwood's pick No.5.
The Giants and Magpies will shape the rest of the first round, and tall forward/ruckman Peter Wright will likely be considered by Gold Coast (pick No.8 ), Geelong (10), Richmond (12) and Fremantle (13) should he not be selected by the Giants.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-10/tigers-eye-classy-mids