List Mgmt. Trade & Free Agency talk Pt 5

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Bucky's assessment of our list. Most of his opinions are pretty sound but misses the mark on rating our young talent and only rates Prestia a B grader

Meatball would have been vying for the Brownlow without an interrupted season, is a gun. We have been drafting young talent, don't see us falling off the cliff with the improvement of Sonsie, Gibcus, Maurice Rioli, Balta, Bolton (can lift his game another level still), Cumbo Hugo and Clarke, Banks and Brown look promising.



Richmond underachieved again this season.

Given the top-end strength of their list on paper, the Tigers should have been a top-four side enjoying the double chance this September. They boast as much A-grade talent as just about any side in the league – a total of 27 A, B-grade and rising star players. It makes me question whether the hunger and appetite is still there. Time is marching on for this group.

The age demographic of the list is a worry. There is a real concern with the age of this group that it could drop off very quickly.
With their top-end talent, a fair amount is going to disappear over the next year or two and if there’s nothing coming through, it could spell trouble.
Right now, the number of developing players on the Tigers’ list is skinny. They have already bid farewell to a trio of premiership stars in Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert and Josh Caddy this year. Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt will continue next season, as will Dustin Martin, despite the speculation about his future.

Cotchin will turn 33 next year and Riewoldt is 34 next month, but I still rate both of them as A-graders. They have earned that rating for consistent performance over a long period of time, but at a club level you are probably not relying on them to win games for you any more. The former captain is not having the influence he once had and Riewoldt’s output is also not what it used to be, but the Tigers are obviously trying to hang on to retain their list depth. It would not surprise if their games were managed next year – they might have talked about playing 10-15 matches – and that’s why they probably accepted having a cut to their salary.

The pursuit of GWS pair Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto shows the Tigers do not have any immediate plans to enter a youth-led reinvigoration of their list and that they plan to hang on with the current group to try and win another flag. The Giants’ pair, who have both nominated Punt Rd as their preferred trade destination, can help re-energise Richmond’s midfield.

Shai Bolton has assumed the mantle as the Tigers’ new superstar in Martin’s disrupted year. He has elevated his game to another level and is getting a bit of attention, but is handling it well and has taken on that A-grade rating because of that.

There are several Tigers on the fringe of the A-grade ratings who just missed the cut. Daniel Rioli has had quite a consistent season after moving to a new role at half-back, but I would like to see him have another year like that and he would then push himself into the A-grade category.

Jayden Short is also probably on the borderline of being an A-grade player. If I was doing B-plus, he would have had that rating. His output is strong and he is a dangerous player because he is such a beautiful kick.

Dion Prestia is another, but he is 30 next month and is always seems to be battling soft-tissue injury problems. He has the ability to be an A-grader but because he has lacked that consistency in his game due to his body breakdowns, he is rated as a B-grader.

Noah Balta is only 22 and has got real athleticism, but he drops out of games too often. If he could get himself a bit fitter and find a bit more of an engine, he is a powerful player and could be an A-grade player of the future.

Of the rising stars, I think Josh Gibcus will develop into a ripper, Maurice Rioli Jr has shown some class and is another future A-grader, and Tyler Sonsie is showing enough at the level and should elevate himself to at least B-grade in time.

HOW THE RATINGS WORK

At a club level, player ranking is generally based on gradings of A+, A, B+, B, C+, C and the developing players.

My rankings will focus on A, B, C and for the developing 20-year-old and under players will be rated as rising stars (RS) and those that need more time (NMT).

With the younger players, it is important to consider who is coming through and those who need longer to develop.

The most important areas for clubs to look at is how many A and B ranked players they have as well as the rising stars, who I believe should be A and B-grade players in the future.

RATING THE LIST

A


Nick Vlastuin, 28

Dylan Grimes, 30

Dustin Martin, 30

Liam Baker, 24

Jack Riewoldt, 33

Trent Cotchin, 32

Tom Lynch, 29

Toby Nankervis, 27

Shai Bolton, 23

B

Dion Prestia, 29

Jack Ross, 21

Robbie Tarrant, 33

Jason Castagna, 25

Jayden Short, 26

Jake Aarts, 27

Daniel Rioli, 25

Noah Balta, 22

Riley Collier-Dawkins, 22

Kamdyn McIntosh, 28

Jack Graham, 24

Nathan Broad, 29

Noah Cumberland, 21

Marlion Pickett, 30

Developing (20 years and under)

Rising stars


Josh Gibcus, 19

Tyler Sonsie, 19

Hugo Ralphsmith, 20

Maurice Rioli, 19

Needs more time

Thomson Dow, 20

Tom Brown, 18

Sam Banks, 19

Judson Clarke, 18

Jacob Bauer, 19

Retired: Shane Edwards, Josh Caddy, Kane Lambert, Matthew Parker

Delisted: None yet

LIST BREAKDOWN

A-Grade: 9

B-Grade: 14

C-Grade: 8

Developing (20 years and under)

Rising stars: 4

Need more time: 5

LIST NEEDS

Age is catching up quickly with this group. The Tigers will need to reinvigorate the list with some young talent sooner rather than later. The lack of rising stars and players that need more time in their development phase – nine in total – is far too thin.

In a strong 2022 draft, the Tigers should be looking to try to add some top-40 selections. There are 10 players on the list who will be in the 29-34 age bracket next season and I feel the list is long overdue for a freshen up. The defence is the biggest area of concern, with players breaking down in key positions. I consider Robbie Tarrant only a short-term player – his body hasn’t been great – and co-captain Dylan Grimes has also had his injury troubles. Tarrant turns 34 next year and Grimes will be turning 32. Noah Balta could turn into that powerful, key-position defender – I would keep him down back rather than switching him between defence and the forward line – while Gibcus can take a key backline post in time.

If Ivan Soldo leaves in the trade period a developing ruckman could be on the wish list given Samson Ryan and Mate Colina have played one AFL game between them and the lost Callum Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol last year.

THE GIANT COUP

My focus would be to bring in young talent rather than trading out picks for experienced players, but the opportunity to land a prime pair such as Giants’ midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper is one the Tigers can’t pass up. They will be 25 and 26 next year, so they are still going to deliver plenty of upside.

Adding those two players is definitely going to give the Tigers more midfield strength, but it is also going to require a reasonable outlay. It is probably going to cost Richmond two first-round picks – one this year and one next year – and possibly a second or a third-round pick somewhere along the line to get it done, which reduces the opportunity to bring in young talent at the draft. Spreading it over two years makes sense, it’s just a matter of working out the combination of picks they are going to have to give up to get the deals done.

But it is a strong draft and fairly deep, so if they could keep their second or third pick, that is still going to net them a reasonable player. That is what I would be aiming for, trying to get a good young player as well as Taranto and Hopper.

Seven-year deals for me are too much, ideally it would be five. Seven pushes them to 32, 33 years of age and we know that’s when bodies start to break down, so you are playing with a bit of fire. But they would be bringing in two good players that are going to help their cause now, and they can worry about the future down the track.

Soldo has been mentioned as a player who could be part of a trade and Riley Collier-Dawkins is yet to re-sign, but I rate him and wouldn’t let him go. A former pick 20, he hasn’t cemented his spot in the team yet but given the age imbalance of the list the Tigers should hang onto their best young midfield prospect.

Herald Sun should have delisted him the moment he called Prestia a B grader
 
Gee the blinkers come on when things like pick 7 get dangled in front of our eyes.

Getting Taranto & Hopper this year using the money saved from the retirements of Caddy Edwards and Lambert and reduced contracts for Jack and Cotchin will ensure we've got money to sign the likes of Bolton Balta and whoever else deserves an increase over the next 12-36 months.

Pissing all that cap space away to sign a player we don't need just to get pick 7 is stupid and would run the risk of us not being able to match deals for players that we want to retain or a possible KPF free agent/trade target we might be looking at in the future.
 

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... I am too foolish to read the site rules?

Facebook’s only concern is how much money they make. Left and right wing propaganda to them is just about engagement to make them more money.
They are massive left wing

And don’t get me wrong I’m not big right wing either just very anti far left
 
They are massive left wing

And don’t get me wrong I’m not big right wing either just very anti far left

Their general staff might be, it makes sense given their likely demographic and education levels.

But those at the top and with power to direct the company are neither. They’ll pay whoever or say whatever it takes to either aisle of politics to consolidate their wealth and power.
 
Gee the blinkers come on when things like pick 7 get dangled in front of our eyes.

Getting Taranto & Hopper this year using the money saved from the retirements of Caddy Edwards and Lambert and reduced contracts for Jack and Cotchin will ensure we've got money to sign the likes of Bolton Balta and whoever else deserves an increase over the next 12-36 months.

Pissing all that cap space away to sign a player we don't need just to get pick 7 is stupid and would run the risk of us not being able to match deals for players that we want to retain or a possible KPF free agent/trade target we might be looking at in the future.
Good post, would read again.
 

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It’s ****ed if Geelong are allowed to receive pick 7 and and a player after winning the flag imagine if we won the flag the media would be going nuts if we were getting pick 7 I don’t know why we are not all over it apparently he is only on 500 grand surely we can afford that
 
Lol now we’re hearing sexton from GC is on 500k ,,,Fmd the gross mismanagement going on , if you can’t make finals there’s something wrong
That's what happens when the integrity of the game gets overshadowed by greed. Everything the AFL{mclachlan} does is driven by$$. From changing the rules for a faster game, who can forget AFLX, to new teams in non AFL heartland, Hey i get it, it;s called expansion for the greater good, but in reply to the above quote, expansion clubs in non traditional markrts, have to pay overs for players to play in front of non existent crowds, for what? And who pays for it? While fat cats get more in their pay check, we get ever more costly food at games, more expensive tickets, whatever it takes for the bottom line. The game itself should be the most important factor when considering fans and players, the two most important things in the game. Can't beat going to a surburban game eating a pie, having a beer, whatching a game where the rules make sense, with friends and family and not worring about if you can afford it! Understand commercialism, but when the bottom line is more important than everything else, Houston we have a problem. Rant over
 
[sarcasm]Quinton Narkle being let go by Geelong, now is our chance[/sarcasm]
 
Any interest for Narkle as a delisted free agent. Think he would be as valuable as Lipinski has been to Collingwood. And one of Shai’s best mates. Take some of the sting off if we lose Graham and we get good depth in. Especially if we get a decent pick for Graham.
Yep would be great in our VFL team 🙄
 
It’s *ed if Geelong are allowed to receive pick 7 and and a player after winning the flag imagine if we won the flag the media would be going nuts if we were getting pick 7 I don’t know why we are not all over it apparently he is only on 500 grand surely we can afford that
He's supposed to be on 850k next year.
 
Gee the blinkers come on when things like pick 7 get dangled in front of our eyes.

Getting Taranto & Hopper this year using the money saved from the retirements of Caddy Edwards and Lambert and reduced contracts for Jack and Cotchin will ensure we've got money to sign the likes of Bolton Balta and whoever else deserves an increase over the next 12-36 months.

Pissing all that cap space away to sign a player we don't need just to get pick 7 is stupid and would run the risk of us not being able to match deals for players that we want to retain or a possible KPF free agent/trade target we might be looking at in the future.

BS, it is only two years
 
Any interest for Narkle as a delisted free agent. Think he would be as valuable as Lipinski has been to Collingwood. And one of Shai’s best mates. Take some of the sting off if we lose Graham and we get good depth in. Especially if we get a decent pick for Graham.

Lipinski was rated a lot higher
 
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