AFL Draft Focus: Richmond TigersThe Tigers currently won’t enter the draft until the third round, but that doesn’t mean they’re short on options.
Jack Jovanovski
zerohanger.com
November 9, 2022So with their list already almost finalised, we take a look at their options for this month's draft.
Draft HandPicks 53, 63, and 88.The Tigers' list management brain trust will be tasked with digging deep this year in order to find some diamonds in the rough with their limited draft capital, boasting just three picks after exchanging two first-round picks and two second-round picks to the Giants for Taranto and Hopper, respectively.
However, sourcing talent further down the draft order is something the Punt Road club has had success achieving in past years, nabbing the likes of premiership players Jayden Short, Kane Lambert, and Jason Castagna at the 2014 Rookie Draft, as well as snatching up Nathan Broad with Pick 67 in 2015, Jack Graham at No. 53 in 2016, Ben Miller with Pick 63, Liam Baker in the Rookie Draft in 2017, and Maurice Rioli Jr. at No. 51 in 2020.
While the Tigers currently won't enter the draft until Pick 53, that selection is likely to increase its place in the queue after early father-son selections and potential matched Academy bids after Pick 40.
The Tigers may also look to improve their spot in the draft order on the night through live trading of picks.
Ideal ProspectsHarry Lemmey:Lemmey, a strong-leading, athletic West Adelaide prospect, could certainly fill the tall-forward void that is opening wider at Tigerland.
The issue for the Tigers is if he is taken before they're on the clock at No. 53, as Lemmey's range could extend to the opening half of the second round.
However, the injuries Lemmey has suffered since he burst onto the SANFL scene in 2021 may work in Richmond's favour if he slides to the 50s.
James Van Es:If Richmond opts for a key defender, Van Es could be somebody the Tigers heavily consider in their pick range.
Like Josh Gibcus, Van Es hails from the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and has put his name forward as one of the better key defender prospects this year.
Also similar to Gibcus, one of Van Es' strongest traits is his intercept marking, which would surely appeal to Hartley and coach Damien Hardwick, who loves intercepting threats (see: Grimes, Vlastuin, Balta, and Alex Rance).
Tom Scully:Like his West Adelaide teammate Lemmey, Scully is another leading forward the Tigers could consider in terms of fulfilling their imminent tall-forward need.
Scully, who has a soccer background and appears as more of a raw prospect, kicked 50 goals in the SANFL Under 18s this year and poses as a rangy forward-50 marking target.
The 18-year-old could be a target for Richmond with their second or third selection.
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