Draft state of play: How Richmond’s historic draft hand will emulate GWS successThe Tigers will be like a kid in a candy shop.
Aidan Cellini
zerohanger.com
October 20, 2024 Richmond's historic draft hand is set to have vast ramifications on next month's crop of stars, holding eight selections in the first 25.
The Tigers hold the prized Pick 1, along with 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23 and 24, rivalling the amount of selections Gold Coast and GWS acquired heading into their inaugural seasons.
In a draft crop that is reportedly as deep as it is talented, led by the likes of Jagga Smith, Josh Smilie and Finn O'Sullivan, Richmond will be like a kid in a candy shop.
So what will November 20 and 21 look like for the Punt Road club on draft night?
List managers are still at work, with clubs able to pick swaps up until the end of October, when the AFL opens its delisted free agency window (Nov 1-8).
2024 Draft and Trade Period Key Dates
Oct 4 to Oct 11: Free agency window (complete)
Oct 7 to Oct 16: Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period (complete)
Oct 17 to Nov 8: Pick swap window
Nov 1 to Nov 8: Delisted free agency period
Nov 20-21: Telstra AFL Draft
Nov 22: Telstra Pre-Season Draft and Rookie Draft
Clubs will then resume its pick swapping capabilities on draft night, albeit a rarity, but still available to list managers.
As for Richmond, the 2024 draft could be the beginning of the dynasty, with the Victorian powerhouse looking to return to the top of the mountain.
Tigers fans are happy to wait, given the successful run between 2017 and 2020, securing three premierships after 37 years of turmoil.
But the 'bounce' from 18th to finals contention could be quicker than most expected, pending they nail next month's draft selections.
As it stands, the Punt Road club holds eight picks but won't be taking those into the dream-making evening for those youngsters.
Richmond is targeting North Melbourne's prized Pick 2 in exchange for two first-round selections, which would likely be Picks 6 and 11.
Also, the club may look at getting into next year's draft, with a host of rivals hoping to enter the first round of the 2024 crop.
The Tigers currently have 38 players (eight rookies and two Category B rookies) on the books, meaning they have six spare list spots they can fill at the draft or through delisted free agency and pre-season supplemental periods.
Clubs are also expected to have between 36 and 38 players on their primary list, with some rookies potentially earning promotions, like Seth Campbell and Tylar Young.
Seth Campbell during Richmond's open training on December 20, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)
Richmond has yet to announce any club delistings, with list lodgements set for October 31st.
So what will Adem Yze and his football department do?
The Tigers could take six high-quality youngsters, selecting an array of midfielders and key position players.
Midfielders Smith and O'Sullivan (who is cousins with Carlton's Sam Walsh) played for Richmond's VFL side throughout the year, as did Harvey Langford, who is a goal-kicking midfielder.
Sam Lalor and Smilie are expected to be scooped up early in the draft, with Richmond no doubt considering a play for the bullocking rovers.
Harry Armstrong and Luke Trainor feature at either end of the field and are the best key position talents in the draft, tipped to go within the top 15 picks.
Jobe Shanahan solidified his first-round chances with dominant performances in Essendon's VFL side, while Jack Whitlock and Cooper Hynes were impressive for Victoria Country in the National Championships.
It's become clear that there's no shortage of talent.
Yze has a relatively strong midfield, with former GWS pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper perfect leaders for a young group, not to mention the direction from Dion Prestia.
Defensively, the Tigers were able to retain Nathan Broad as well as Jayden Short and Nick Vlastuin, who knows what it takes to win a premiership.
Up forward, Tom Lynch has consistently denied a move to a third AFL club and is keen to repay the yellow and black for the two flags he secured, guiding the next wave of stars.
In 2011, the Giants selected 11 of the first 14 players in the National Draft, whilst the year before gained stars Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel as underage selections.
Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly and Harry Himmelberg followed suit in the years to come, which formulated the core that led the AFL's newest club to the finals within five years of its inception.
Since 2016, GWS has made seven out of nine finals series, with all reaching at least the semi-final, with a grand final appearance in 2019, ironically against Richmond.
The Giants, through a mix of experienced campaigners and a strong core that remained together, quickly turned into a powerhouse that has Gold Coast standing idly by with envy.
And it will no doubt be a blueprint for the new Tasmanian team when they join the league in 2028.
As GWS did, Richmond will need to hit the mark with its draft selections.
But with the lure of a big, Victorian club, playing at the MCG more often than not and holding the keys to dad's new Porsche, who wouldn't want to be at the Tigers?
Safe to say it's an enticing prospect.
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