Richmond has considerable salary cap space to accommodate some star signings to bolster its list on the back of three-straight elimination final exits.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-pulls-out-of-harley-bennell-trade-race/story-fnp04d6z-1227556382433
Problem is we cannot get a star player to want to sign with us. We had an additional $500k to spend I believe due to not paying the maximum TPP over the past two seasons. How have we not been able to lure a star by front ending his contract and lure him? WTF is going on 
Just tells me, for some unknown reason, players do not want to come to our club. You'd think after 3 consecutive finals, sorting ourselves out off field as well that we'd be attractive to players . . . to date it doesn't appear that way. I'd love to know why say Collingwood/Geelong are more attractive to join than Richmond? I can understand Hawthorn as every players wants to win a premiership and they've got 3 in a row....
Our club needs better players if we are going to win a final. We need A-grade ready made players, not an 18yo who is going to be playing VFL all season. Where are they going to come from? Dangerfield wants to go to Geelong, Treloar snubbed us for Collingwood, the club has said no to Bennell (speculative at best as to why at this stage). That's 3 players who were available that would ave improved our list on end, that we have failed to get (as it stands).
Who is left available that is A-grade?
You can answer your own question.
Treloar went to the Pies for more money. We didn't want him to be the highest paid player in the side. More than guys that have been busting their behinds for years for the club.
Dangerfield wants to live in Moggs Creek and cruise in to training which is a 10 minute drive. We cannot offer that. It isn't the money for him.
Bennell must have issues that the club didn't want to go near. Just think about it for a moment. Gold Coast have him under contract but still want to get rid of him. Doesn't that tell you anything?
Take a breath and think about this logically. I want to see us get an A grader just as much as anyone but we have to work through these things sensibly.
