I have made the point several times over - the Richmond that we see today basically started as a new club in 2004. That was the 1st draft in many years where we drafted more than 4 under 18 aged players:-
1996 - 3 under agers
1997 - 3
1998 - 3
1999 - 5 but a poor draft for RFC forever known as Pavlichgate
2000 - 5 - 4 still on our list, Petts, Newman Hyde and Coggie, 3 good gets
2001 - 2
2002 - 2 with 1 of those de-listed after a year
2003 - 6 with 2 left
2004 - 7 with 6 left and 4 or 5 good gets, potentially a great draft like 2000 AND 2 great rookies
2005 - 3
2006 - 5 with 1 de-listed after a year
2007 - 3? with a priority pick traded
We need 4-6 picks EVERY year,
1996 - 2
1997 - 6 picked up Scarlett
1998 - 3 picking up Tom Harley in a trade
1999 - 7 picking up Corey, Chapman, Ling and Enright traded for Mooney
2000 - 3
2001 - 7 picking up Ablett, Johnstons (David and Steve), Kelly
2002 - 3
2003 - 4
2004 - 3
2005 - 5
2006 - 4
2007 - 4
23 picks to Tigers from 96-02 and Cats 31. MMMM, see the link?
They generally trade once per year and with the exception of Otto have not completed any massive trades.
We need to draft at least 1-2 more players each year, when we do that it actually freakin works.
Player development IS another matter, if we don't get big years from Thursfield, Lids, Tambo, Patto, Polo and possibly McGuane then I'll be off the coaching wagon.
If we do get decent years from that group, guess what?
We'll win a few games and if that does happen hopefully the pre-season experts will shut the FXXX UP!!! (Especially the blue boys)