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TIGERS RELENT IN DEAL FOR HOPPER
Richmond will begrudgingly release Ivan Soldo to Greater Western Sydney to seal the Jacob Hopper deal, as the Tigers plan for a potential five-man bench that could pave the way for clubs to play two full-time ruckmen.
Soldo is getting his head around leaving for GWS in a deal that Richmond hopes could see them hand over Soldo, pick 19 and a future first-rounder, but secure one of the Giants late 2022 picks.
The Tigers are hopeful of taking a selection to this year’s draft – potentially to even use on a young tall in the Jack Riewoldt succession plan – so hope the Giants might be willing to return a late pick to them.
The deal for Jacob Hopper could be close. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos
But the intriguing element of the trade is what might happen to the controversial sub rule next year.
News Corp revealed mid-season that the lobbying from the AFL Doctors Association had brought about assurances from the AFL they would remove the current sub rule, which requires a doctor to rule a player must be likely to miss the next week through injury.
Richmond’s understanding is that there is a significant possibility the clubs might just be given a fifth player on the bench to use freely rather than a medical substitute, which has required an injury to bring the fifth player on.
A five-man bench would give clubs latitude to play a second genuine ruckman, rather than one with another tall who can also pinch-hit in the ruck.
Richmond would have been perfectly poised with Toby Nankervis and Soldo as an elite ruck duo but the Tigers realise releasing contracted Soldo is the only way to secure Hopper.
They have high hopes for Ben Miller and Samson Ryan and could also play Noah Balta as a second ruck.
But the club would love to keep Soldo, who rebuffed Western Bulldogs interest to sign a new three-year deal last year.
Ivan Soldo could be on his way to GWS. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
The Canberra-raised ruckman had a medical with GWS last week.
New Giants coach Adam Kingsley is a big fan of Hugo Ralphsmith but the Giants have plenty of running backs so have not asked for the 20-year-old – and Richmond will not release him.
Clubs would ideally have advance warning on what the 2023 sub rule or expanded bench would look like ahead of the trade period.
But given the tight turnaround from the 2022 season to the trade period, they have to make guesstimates on what the game will look like next year.
Richmond has only pick 31 after handing over selections 12 and 19 for Tim Taranto, but could ask for the last of GWS’ picks in the Hopper trade to secure a live draft selection.
GWS has picks 3, 12, 15, 18, 19, 44, 61, 63, and even the last of those selections would come in to about 50 given it’s not expected clubs will use their late picks.
Richmond secured five selections in the 2021 national draft – Josh Gibcus, Tom Brown, Tyler Sonsie, Sam Banks and Judson Clarke – and have high hopes for all of them.
It means they have been able to go all-in on two established midfielders on seven-year deals to round out their midfield core.
Looks like it's happening and looks like we will overpay whatever we have to get it done.
I've already accepted it. Not happy with it though.
