2023 AFL Draft Preview: RichmondMichael Alvaro
Rookie Me Central
November 15, 2023WITH season proper and trade period done and dusted, AFL fans and staff alike now turn their attention towards the draft (November 20-21). The chaos has momentarily settled on player and pick swaps, and budding prospects have completed their combines, leaving a nervous wait until they learn their fate.
In the next of our club-by-club draft previews, we take a look at Richmond’s hand and offer insight into how the Tigers may utilise the picks at their possession. Having slid down the ladder in 2023, the Victorian powerhouse lost a couple of club legends and has some key position depth to replenish.
LADDER FINISH: 13th (10-12-1, 93.6%)
2023 PICKS: 29, 41, 65, 68, 86
FUTURE PICKS: RIC R1, RIC R2, FRE R2, RIC R3, RIC R4, PTA R4
CLUB-TIED PLAYERS: Nil.
FIRST PICK: Pick 29
Much like last year, and largely as a result of its 2022 trade dealings, Richmond is likely to only utilise two picks at the draft. As it stands, 29 and 41 will be the Tigers’ main weapons, with the option to trade, promote rookies, or pass on their late picks. There’s a strong hand of future picks to dip into, too.
After bookends Jack Riewoldt and Robbie Tarrant retired, and Ivan Soldo and Bigoa Nyuon were traded, key position depth is an area Richmond can certainly look to address. Speed and outside class are other traits which could help Adem Yze‘s side find improvement.
There may be some sliders within the 20s who fall into Richmond’s lap at pick 29, while players with high upside like West Australian forward Lance Collard could even entice the Tigers to trade up. He idolises Shai Bolton, who showed up for the youngster’s house visit, and is similarly mercurial.
At the other end of the ground, Hawthorn NGA talent Tew Jiath is an intercept defender with terrific athletic traits and distributive skills. The brother of current-Hawk Changkuoth is raw but developed rapidly in the back-end of the season and will be in high demand.
Tom Lynch and new recruit Jacob Koschitzke will need a chop-out in the long-term up forward. Gippsland Power product Archer Reid should be in the frame should he slip past North Melbourne, offering good mobility and skills at his 203cm standing.
A pair of tall midfielders in George Stevens and Charlie Edwards may also be in Richmond’s sights. The latter is more likely to be off the board, but like Reid, Stevens’ projected range is relatively wide and he could end up being the best available talent for Richmond to select first up.
REMAINING CROP:There is plenty of variety, albeit a lack of depth available to Richmond with its later pick in the draft. The likes of Logan Morris and Luke Lloyd could be the type of marking forwards Richmond looks at, more as second or third tall outlets rather than genuine key position players.
The Tigers’ VFL side has also been a happy hunting ground of late, and draft combine invitee Mutaz El Nour looks like being the next in line. An athletic intercept defender, the 22-year-old has had a few near misses at the draft and his share of injury niggles, but remains in contention.
In terms of running players, another East Fremantle prospect in Koen Sanchez – former teammate of 2022 draftee Kaleb Smith – may be in Richmond’s hitting zone. The zippy midfielder-forward blends class with consistent effort and could plug a few holes in the small department.
Elsewhere, Richmond would have gotten a good look at explosive half-back Nathan Philactides through its VFL program, and he has the athletic traits to make it at AFL level. The Tigers also came into the year with access to father-son prospect Charlie Naish – a hard-running utility out of the Northern Knights.
With the expectation of making only two selections, despite currently holding five picks, Richmond has plenty of future selections to package up and dangle in front of rival clubs. Depending on what the Tigers manufacture, a rookie may also be upgraded to fill out the required three senior list spots.
KEY QUESTIONS:– Will Richmond look to move its first pick up the board?
– After recruiting Jacob Koschitzke, will tall forward depth remain in Richmond’s plans?
– Is a Rookie upgrade round likely to round out Richmond’s draft?
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2023/11/15/2023-afl-draft-preview-richmond/
