RFC will skip PSD and just go for rookies

[one-eyed]

Tigers can't afford rookies and cream
By Jake Niall
The Age
December 9, 2005

Severe budgetary constraints are almost certain to force Richmond to miss the pre-season draft in order to select as many rookie-list players as possible.

The Tigers are well beneath the salary cap - they will have one of the lowest player-payment outlays in the AFL - but self-imposed restrictions on their spending means they have to choose between selecting a reasonably priced player in the pre-season draft or drafting up to four rookies.

The extent of cash-consciousness at Tigerland is reflected in the fact that while the club could pick up to five rookies - with Matthew Richardson's "veteran" list status making up a senior list/rookie list of 44 - the Tigers believe they can afford only four and only on the condition that they eschew the pre-season draft.

Richmond director of football Greg Miller said this week that the Tigers would not participate in the pre-season draft unless they could get access to a player "who's going to make an impact".

Miller confirmed that the club could not afford to draft four rookies and a seasoned player in the pre-season draft. Both drafts are on Tuesday.

"It's totally to do with the budget," Miller said of the club's stance on the coming drafts.

While Richmond made a small profit at the end of 2005 - a turnaround of about $2 million on its huge loss in 2004 - it has chosen to remain fiscally responsible and to keep a tight rein on player payments and football support staff for 2006.

The Tigers had planned to select former Kangaroo Jeremy Clayton, who won the Magarey Medal in the SANFL this year, in the pre-season draft until they received confirmation that Clayton would need time to overcome a ruptured spleen.

Another former Kangaroo, Michael Stevens, has been all but ruled out by the Tigers.

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/12/08/1133829718458.html

[cub]

Rookies is the way to go anyway - nothing in the PSD unless we want to go backwards. Save a few bucks at the same time double bonus 

[Razorblade]

Good decision Greg!

[mightytiges]

It'd only matter if we really wanted some kid now and he's taken in the rookie draft before our first pick. But then we could have used our last pick in the national draft instead so that's probably not the case.

I guess this means Gas will now come back inside the senior list. Geez our TPP must be just hovering above the bare 92.5% minimum. Good in one way as we'll have plenty of room under the cap to hold onto our best youngsters in the next few years. Hopefully our financial situation will be alot stronger by then.

It's annoying though when you've got the Dees boasting how will be selecting 4 rookies because of their improved financial situation and $1 million profit while we are tightening our belt living by our own means. The CBF is giving them an unfair advantage.

[Fishfinger]

It's annoying though when you've got the Dees boasting how will be selecting 4 rookies because of their improved financial situation and $1 million profit while we are tightening our belt living by our own means. The CBF is giving them an unfair advantage.

Don't forget they can also "afford" both of their veterans to be outside the list. ??? With 4 rookies, they'll probably be the only Victorian club with a maximum list.
It must be fun spending someone else's money.

[mightytiges]

Don't forget they can also "afford" both of their veterans to be outside the list. ??? With 4 rookies, they'll probably be the only Victorian club with a maximum list.
It must be fun spending someone else's money.

These days the CBF = Rort 

[WilliamPowell]

The Tigers are well beneath the salary cap - they will have one of the lowest player-payment outlays in the AFL

Please take note all others in the media - we (OER ) have been saying it all season but the media has constantly said we are under salary cap pressure. Yeah right 

Richmond director of football Greg Miller said this week that the Tigers would not participate in the pre-season draft unless they could get access to a player "who's going to make an impact".

Going by who's on offer there doesn't seem to be any impact player there.

Miller confirmed that the club could not afford to draft four rookies and a seasoned player in the pre-season draft. Both drafts are on Tuesday.

"It's totally to do with the budget," Miller said of the club's stance on the coming drafts.

While Richmond made a small profit at the end of 2005 - a turnaround of about $2 million on its huge loss in 2004 - it has chosen to remain fiscally responsible and to keep a tight rein on player payments and football support staff for 2006.

This is very pleasing to hear, great to see the CLub not getting carried away with the improve their financial performance in 2005

The Tigers had planned to select former Kangaroo Jeremy Clayton, who won the Magarey Medal in the SANFL this year, in the pre-season draft until they received confirmation that Clayton would need time to overcome a ruptured spleen.

Don't wanna sound harsh but I'm so glad we are not going ot select him - not an impact player IMO. Actually I don't even remember him playing at North so that means he had no impact on me

[one-eyed]

Pre-season draft – Tuesday
10 December 2005   
Herald Sun
Compiled by Rebecca Williams and Scott Gullan

How your club is shaping:

ROUND 1

5. Richmond

Yet to decide if it will participate.

"We are more unlikely than likely at this stage. We certainly want to go more heavily than we have in the past in regards to rookies and possibly have four rookies." -- football manager Paul Armstrong

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,17516233%255E19742,00.html

Nine clubs are eligible to take part in the pre-season draft, although Richmond is looking increasingly unlikely to take up its pick.

"We may just fill up a list of rookies and then elevate one when an opportunity arises," Richmond football manager Paul Armstrong said.

"We think we know which way the majority of clubs will go, so that being the case, we look unlikely to have a pick."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,17516235%255E19742,00.html