Certified Legendary Thread Welcome Tim Taranto & Jacob Hopper
- Thread starter tigs2010
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I’m not saying walk in and take that offer. I just don’t think it’s the worst outcome if that’s what it ends up being. 4 highish picks is hardly overs for 2 A grade insides, if 50% of your top 30 picks got to that level you’d be a happy club.
We also have a warranted reputation for trading fairness. Getting it done only increases that reputation and continues to maintain a good trading relationship with other clubs.
Trying to win every trade ends up like Essendon, Carlton or Freo.
Dr Tigris
Brownlow Medallist
So you're saying it true, it's not massive at all?
Dr Tigris
Brownlow Medallist
By what you hear each year it sounds like some clubs have the poor rep and people ry to avoid trading with them. Others have a good reputation and get involved in trades and sometimes get good deals.
And the 'hard' traders don't end up with a great list and good salary cap situations - just an observation.
- Banned
- #632
Freo and Carlton have good lists
I'd at least like to keep pick 30, but if GWS only want picks then I guess pick 30 may have to be thrown in also but we would have to get something coming back. Preferably, id hope picks 12, 19 and a future first would get the deal done and if need be a player thrown in, i.e Soldo or Collier Dawkins.
Herald Sun
At Richmond, list manager Blair Hartley is preparing to pull an old trick out of his kitbag as the Tigers look to hand over their top picks from this and next year’s draft to electro charge the engine room.
In 2016, Richmond off-loaded pick six for ex-Gold Coast onballer Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy in a move which helped them win three flags.
And next month, Richmond will hand over selections 12, 19 and 30, plus next year’s first-rounder for hard nut Jacob Hopper and fire-starter midfield-forward Tim Taranto.
The Tigers beat the Cats and Magpies for the pair’s signatures with blockbuster seven-year deals which did raise some eyebrows at clubs around the league.
But there again is the boldness at play.
![[PLAYERCARD]Jacob Hopper[/PLAYERCARD] and [PLAYERCARD]Tim Taranto[/PLAYERCARD] are set to join Richmond. Picture: Phil Hillyard](/forum/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.api.news%2Fv3%2Fimages%2Fbin%2F11a7c642a0fad08251870adf4e8200a4&hash=17c7601a4f1308b9c24ffd9f1a6ba0f1 "[PLAYERCARD]Jacob Hopper[/PLAYERCARD] and [PLAYERCARD]Tim Taranto[/PLAYERCARD] are set to join Richmond. Picture: Phil Hillyard")
Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto are set to join Richmond. Picture: Phil Hillyard
LIKELY INS: Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto
LIKELY OUTS: No one yet. Maybe Jack Graham, Ivan Soldo and Riley Collier-Dawkins.
Hopper is still under contract, which does explain in part the Giants high price, while Taranto is out of contract.
The Tigers have 12, 19 and 30 in this year’s draft but are likely to have to give up more to get the two Giants to Melbourne.
A player might have to head to Sydney, while Richmond’s 2023 first-round pick might have to be on the table.
It is likely going to be a substantial package the Tigers have to stump up to get the two Giants, but they would be thinking it will be worth it.
Verdict: 12, 19 and Richmond’s 2023 first-round pick and a player.
Herald Sun
At Richmond, list manager Blair Hartley is preparing to pull an old trick out of his kitbag as the Tigers look to hand over their top picks from this and next year’s draft to electro charge the engine room.
In 2016, Richmond off-loaded pick six for ex-Gold Coast onballer Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy in a move which helped them win three flags.
And next month, Richmond will hand over selections 12, 19 and 30, plus next year’s first-rounder for hard nut Jacob Hopper and fire-starter midfield-forward Tim Taranto.
The Tigers beat the Cats and Magpies for the pair’s signatures with blockbuster seven-year deals which did raise some eyebrows at clubs around the league.
But there again is the boldness at play.
Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto are set to join Richmond. Picture: Phil Hillyard
And another article from the Herald Sun
RICHMOND
It’s the definition of going all in. Richmond will surely have to trade all of picks 12, 19, 30 and a future first-rounder and expend $1.5 million a year of cap space on Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. But if they can land that pair their midfield fortunes are set until 2030. Riley Collier-Dawkins is yet to be offered a new deal and rivals could circle late. GWS hasn’t discussed players in the trade but Ivan Soldo has been floated. The Giants have enough half-backs so aren’t interested in Hugo Ralphsmith, who surely the Tigers must keep anyway. Jack Graham has rival interest but the Tigers would be mad to let him go under any circumstances.LIKELY INS: Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto
LIKELY OUTS: No one yet. Maybe Jack Graham, Ivan Soldo and Riley Collier-Dawkins.
A 3rd article from the Herald Sun
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper (GWS) to Richmond
The Giants want to get two first rounders, and that is just for Hopper let alone a player in Taranto who won GWS’ Kevin Sheedy Medal in 2019.Hopper is still under contract, which does explain in part the Giants high price, while Taranto is out of contract.
The Tigers have 12, 19 and 30 in this year’s draft but are likely to have to give up more to get the two Giants to Melbourne.
A player might have to head to Sydney, while Richmond’s 2023 first-round pick might have to be on the table.
It is likely going to be a substantial package the Tigers have to stump up to get the two Giants, but they would be thinking it will be worth it.
Verdict: 12, 19 and Richmond’s 2023 first-round pick and a player.
Last edited:
Yeah but they’re not great lists as Dr Tigris said
Look at the size of those mofos, finally some heft in the middle. No more getting bullied.I'd at least like to keep pick 30, but if GWS only want picks then I guess pick 30 may have to be thrown in also but we would have to get something coming back. Preferably, id hope picks 12, 19 and a future first would get the deal done and if need be a player thrown in, i.e Soldo or Collier Dawkins.
Herald Sun
At Richmond, list manager Blair Hartley is preparing to pull an old trick out of his kitbag as the Tigers look to hand over their top picks from this and next year’s draft to electro charge the engine room.
In 2016, Richmond off-loaded pick six for ex-Gold Coast onballer Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy in a move which helped them win three flags.
And next month, Richmond will hand over selections 12, 19 and 30, plus next year’s first-rounder for hard nut Jacob Hopper and fire-starter midfield-forward Tim Taranto.
The Tigers beat the Cats and Magpies for the pair’s signatures with blockbuster seven-year deals which did raise some eyebrows at clubs around the league.
But there again is the boldness at play.
Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto are set to join Richmond. Picture: Phil Hillyard
And another article from the Herald Sun
RICHMOND
It’s the definition of going all in. Richmond will surely have to trade all of picks 12, 19, 30 and a future first-rounder and expend $1.5 million a year of cap space on Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. But if they can land that pair their midfield fortunes are set until 2030. Riley Collier-Dawkins is yet to be offered a new deal and rivals could circle late. GWS hasn’t discussed players in the trade but Ivan Soldo has been floated. The Giants have enough half-backs so aren’t interested in Hugo Ralphsmith, who surely the Tigers must keep anyway. Jack Graham has rival interest but the Tigers would be mad to let him go under any circumstances.
LIKELY INS: Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto
LIKELY OUTS: No one yet. Maybe Jack Graham, Ivan Soldo and Riley Collier-Dawkins.
A 3rd article from the Herald Sun
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper (GWS) to Richmond
The Giants want to get two first rounders, and that is just for Hopper let alone a player in Taranto who won GWS’ Kevin Sheedy Medal in 2019.
Hopper is still under contract, which does explain in part the Giants high price, while Taranto is out of contract.
The Tigers have 12, 19 and 30 in this year’s draft but are likely to have to give up more to get the two Giants to Melbourne.
A player might have to head to Sydney, while Richmond’s 2023 first-round pick might have to be on the table.
It is likely going to be a substantial package the Tigers have to stump up to get the two Giants, but they would be thinking it will be worth it.
Verdict: 12, 19 and Richmond’s 2023 first-round pick and a player.
the underdog
Debutant
- May 30, 2011
- 140
- 639
- AFL Club
- Richmond
I'd be more than happy to give 12, 19, 30 & F1 if we were to get something back in return, for example a F2 from GWS..I'd at least like to keep pick 30, but if GWS only want picks then I guess pick 30 might have to be thrown in also but we would have to get something coming back. Preferably, id hope picks 12, 19 and a future first would get the deal done and if need be a player thrown in, i.e Soldo or Collier Dawkins.
Herald Sun
At Richmond, list manager Blair Hartley is preparing to pull an old trick out of his kitbag as the Tigers look to hand over their top picks from this and next year’s draft to electro charge the engine room.
In 2016, Richmond off-loaded pick six for ex-Gold Coast onballer Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy in a move which helped them win three flags.
And next month, Richmond will hand over selections 12, 19 and 30, plus next year’s first-rounder for hard nut Jacob Hopper and fire-starter midfield-forward Tim Taranto.
The Tigers beat the Cats and Magpies for the pair’s signatures with blockbuster seven-year deals which did raise some eyebrows at clubs around the league.
But there again is the boldness at play.
Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto are set to join Richmond. Picture: Phil Hillyard
And another article from the Herald Sun
RICHMOND
It’s the definition of going all in. Richmond will surely have to trade all of picks 12, 19, 30 and a future first-rounder and expend $1.5 million a year of cap space on Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. But if they can land that pair their midfield fortunes are set until 2030. Riley Collier-Dawkins is yet to be offered a new deal and rivals could circle late. GWS hasn’t discussed players in the trade but Ivan Soldo has been floated. The Giants have enough half-backs so aren’t interested in Hugo Ralphsmith, who surely the Tigers must keep anyway. Jack Graham has rival interest but the Tigers would be mad to let him go under any circumstances.
LIKELY INS: Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto
LIKELY OUTS: No one yet. Maybe Jack Graham, Ivan Soldo and Riley Collier-Dawkins.
Out: 12, 19, 30, 14*
In: Hopper, Taranto, 22**
* approx 2023 first rounder tied to Richmond
** approx 2023 second rounder tied to GWS
Keep in mind, pick 19 is essentially CCJ lol
- Sep 8, 2013
- 5,661
- 9,367
- AFL Club
- Richmond
This is what excites me. Sick of seeing the ball walked out of the midfield. Or when the opposition has all the momentum and our midget mids can’t stop it. Great to have some size and bulk in there now.
Getting these 2 is a game changer for us. Lynch for the Coleman next year and our defence won’t have as much work to do. So many deficiencies get sorted with these 2 coming in
- Oct 29, 2020
- 3,238
- 6,208
- AFL Club
- Richmond
Waste of time giving Kmart Sydney high draft picks. They only gonna piss 'em into a wall.
I'll throw in that these guys have better tackles #'s than i thought they did. that addresses another weekness in our midfield which is our weakest line IMO.
Tiger_Of_Old
THE_GUN:"Why don't you use your reg acc"7/9/24
Gary Buckenara analyses Richmond’s list after the 2022 season
Richmond clearly has no interest in rebuilding as it prepares to add two gun GWS midfielders. Will they make the Tigers contenders again? Gary Buckenara analyses the list.Gary Buckenara
AFL
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.
Trent Cotchin (left) and Jack Riewoldt have signed one-year deals. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
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.
Daniel Rioli had a great year at half-back. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images
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.
Noah Balta has the attributes to be a star in defence. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
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
Shai Bolton has elevated his game to the competition’s elite. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
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
Dion Prestia’s body let him down again in the elimination final. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
C
Ivan Soldo, 26
Rhyan Mansell, 22
Samson, Ryan, 21
Will Martyn, 21
Mate Colina, 23
Sydney Stack, 22
Ben Miller, 22
Bigoa Nyoun, 21
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.
Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto will give Richmond’s midfield an instant boost. Picture: Phil Hillyard
DUSTY DEAL
After a season of speculation about Dustin Martin’s future, all the indications are that the triple Norm Smith medallist is set to remain at Punt Rd in a major boost to the club’s hopes of staying in the premiership frame. Still with two more years to run on his contract, it raises the question how can the Tigers manage his deal, particularly with two potentially big offers for Hopper and Taranto also coming into the mix, to ensure they don’t lose any more of their young guns?
They could potentially increase his deal to three years and spread the payments out over another three seasons. That would then give them some relief to help keep some of their younger players. But the Tigers would be mindful that by doing that, they are not going to play him every week towards the end.
He is such a dangerous one-out forward where he can kick goals, he might find himself playing a lot of that role with bursts in the midfield. If he gets his body right and they manage him well, he is still a matchwinner forward for them.
Dustin Martin is still a matchwinner on his day. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
CRYSTAL BALL
There is enough talent still at Richmond for this team to be a contender again and if they can get Taranto and Hopper, I would put my money on them making the eight again.
With their trade targets, it is clear that they are going for another shot at it with this group.
But there remains a real concern with the age of the list that it could drop off very quickly and the time is coming for the Tigers to reinvigorate their list with some young talent again.
With 27 A, B and rising star players, they should have performed far better in the past two seasons and the Tigers would be ruing their close elimination-final loss to Brisbane.
Luck with injuries was not kind to Richmond this year, and keeping a fit list will be crucial to contending next season.
Many of their injury worries surrounded their older players breaking down, again highlighting the demographic of the list. Injuries to Martin, Toby Nankervis, Prestia, Grimes, Cotchin, Edwards and Lambert at different stages this year hurt the Tigers, making it hard to get continuity of performance.
When the returning players are fully fit again, the Tigers can be a contender again as long as there is a hunger to succeed.
Delediodamage
Debutant
I was thinking about this watching the GF. Sydney's young midfielders had no issues catching and applying tackles to Geelong, but almost every time the Geelong player was strong enough to effect a handball to a team mate under pressure. They've done this to Richmond too over the years but we've eventually overwhelmed them in finals.
Adding two 90kg beasts with good tackling application is very handy for our perennially undersized midfield. Not to mention everything else they bring.
Gary Buckenara analyses Richmond’s list after the 2022 season
Richmond clearly has no interest in rebuilding as it prepares to add two gun GWS midfielders. Will they make the Tigers contenders again? Gary Buckenara analyses the list.
Gary Buckenara
AFL
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.
Trent Cotchin (left) and Jack Riewoldt have signed one-year deals. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
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.
Daniel Rioli had a great year at half-back. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images
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.
Noah Balta has the attributes to be a star in defence. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
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
Shai Bolton has elevated his game to the competition’s elite. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
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
Dion Prestia’s body let him down again in the elimination final. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
C
Ivan Soldo, 26
Rhyan Mansell, 22
Samson, Ryan, 21
Will Martyn, 21
Mate Colina, 23
Sydney Stack, 22
Ben Miller, 22
Bigoa Nyoun, 21
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.
Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto will give Richmond’s midfield an instant boost. Picture: Phil Hillyard
DUSTY DEAL
After a season of speculation about Dustin Martin’s future, all the indications are that the triple Norm Smith medallist is set to remain at Punt Rd in a major boost to the club’s hopes of staying in the premiership frame. Still with two more years to run on his contract, it raises the question how can the Tigers manage his deal, particularly with two potentially big offers for Hopper and Taranto also coming into the mix, to ensure they don’t lose any more of their young guns?
They could potentially increase his deal to three years and spread the payments out over another three seasons. That would then give them some relief to help keep some of their younger players. But the Tigers would be mindful that by doing that, they are not going to play him every week towards the end.
He is such a dangerous one-out forward where he can kick goals, he might find himself playing a lot of that role with bursts in the midfield. If he gets his body right and they manage him well, he is still a matchwinner forward for them.
Dustin Martin is still a matchwinner on his day. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
CRYSTAL BALL
There is enough talent still at Richmond for this team to be a contender again and if they can get Taranto and Hopper, I would put my money on them making the eight again.
With their trade targets, it is clear that they are going for another shot at it with this group.
But there remains a real concern with the age of the list that it could drop off very quickly and the time is coming for the Tigers to reinvigorate their list with some young talent again.
With 27 A, B and rising star players, they should have performed far better in the past two seasons and the Tigers would be ruing their close elimination-final loss to Brisbane.
Luck with injuries was not kind to Richmond this year, and keeping a fit list will be crucial to contending next season.
Many of their injury worries surrounded their older players breaking down, again highlighting the demographic of the list. Injuries to Martin, Toby Nankervis, Prestia, Grimes, Cotchin, Edwards and Lambert at different stages this year hurt the Tigers, making it hard to get continuity of performance.
When the returning players are fully fit again, the Tigers can be a contender again as long as there is a hunger to succeed.
Prestia, Aarts and Castagna are all B grade!
Hahahaha!
Dr Tigris
Brownlow Medallist
Not through trades though. Although I will give you Carlton have some good players traded in. But at a high cost.
I think that they don't have quality like Meatball or Lynch.
Groupie_
time to return the traditional Richmond yellow
will they be at the jack dyer medal tonight best
Prestia and RCD are both B Graders.
Everytime I read something like this, it makes me laugh. These guys are getting PAID to write about something they clearly have 0 knowledge of. It's unbelievable.
Yeah 1 can't get a game and the other is our best midfielder. Makes sense.
One also polled 19 votes in the Brownlow with 19 games played. He is our MVP.
Can we get Bucky a job at GWS? Before next week?
prodigy
Taj Hotton Loyalist
- Jun 20, 2013
- 19,183
- 62,409
- AFL Club
- Richmond
It's interesting that the GWS cap issues have essentially disappeared according to the media.
- Oct 2, 2008
- 9,089
- 19,339
- AFL Club
- Richmond
- Other Teams
- Brothers of Destruction
It's because their narrative has a new protagonist and antagonist.
How do the big evil Richmond poach 2 Superstars from the poor defensiveless GWS.
Let's not forget years ago when they were the Orange Ferrari and they were gonna win six flags in a row
