Richmond's next premiership window in 2029-2031 (Foxsports)

[one-eyed]

Every AFL club’s premiership window

Jack Jovanovski and Will Faulkner
Fox Sports
October 31st, 2025

Foxfooty.com.au analyses each club’s premiership window ahead of the 2026 season.

RICHMOND

Premiership window: 2029-2031

It’s no secret that the Tigers are still in the early stages of their rebuilding journey, and they’re unlikely to make a return to the premiership window for another three or four years at minimum. However, they’ve arguably already locked down seven long-term senior players to fill the void left by their premiership dynasty after last November’s historic draft haul. Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie will be star on-ballers for the foreseeable future, Taj Hotton has all the traits to be a centre-forward weapon, while Jonty Faull, Tom Sims and Harry Armstrong give the club a bevy of tantalising tall forward options for the post-Tom Lynch era. And then there’s the versatile Luke Trainor, who played the most AFL games of any of those names this year and earned a Rising Star nomination. And after two wins in his baptism-of-fire first year in charge, senior coach Adem Yze led Richmond to five wins this season in a year where many pondered if the club would go winless. Stacking wins won’t come next season, but a return to prominence doesn’t seem as far away as some might think.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-premiership-window-predictions-for-2026-how-close-all-clubs-are-to-a-flag-finals-top-eight-bottom-four-analysis/news-story/9088da93d26d75dcd3190058bca8c79b

[the claw]

If all goes well and we have our picks right by the end of 2029 the likes of Lalor will have about 100 games, Hotton 90 odd smillie 80 odd this years first two picks say 80 odd our talls will likely take longer  and in that time we will be looking for the replacements of Lynch, Prestia, Broad, Vlastuin Taranto, Hopper and Nankervis will be gon. the trouble with full on rebuilds is if you get it right its still two steps forward and one step back.

Still i think end of 2029 onwards is realistic.