Richmond have turned to youth with several star players exiting in the off-season opening up opportunities for rookies who’ll generate big cash. But word of caution, this isn’t a side who score well.
Fixture
The Tigers don’t play Opening Round so there’s no early bye. Richmond also have the middle of the 5 mid-season bye rounds in Round 14.
Squad Changes
Ins
Jasper Alger (No.58 draft pick), Harry Armstrong (No.23 draft pick), Jonty Faull (No.14 draft pick), Taj Hotton (No.12 draft pick), Sam Lalor (No.1 draft pick), Thomas Sims (No.28 draft pick), Josh Smillie (No.7 draft pick), Luke Trainor (No.21 draft pick)
Outs
Liam Baker (trade, West Coast), Shai Bolton (trade, Fremantle), Matthew Coulthard (delisted), Noah Cumberland (delisted), Jack Graham (free agent, West Coast), Dylan Grimes (retired), Dustin Martin (retired), Marlion Pickett (retired), Sam Naismith (retired), Daniel Rioli (trade, Gold Coast)
Snapshot
The Tigers employed a scorched earth policy after their wooden spoon, turning to youth and letting others depart in exchange for high draft picks. Liam Baker, Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli and Jack Graham were all best 22 players who’ve left, although none were first-choice mids.
Plus they’ve lost a bunch more to retirement including forward Dustin Martin, winger Marlion Pickett and key defender Dylan Grimes, leaving many holes to fill.
There’s been no big-name recruits, instead it’s all youth headlined by top pick Sam Lalor who is among 7 picks inside the top 30 in the last draft.
Injury returns
Key forward Tom Lynch only played 4 games last season but looks on track to be fit for Round 1, despite a concussion in pre-season. He’s under-priced after a few injury-interrupted seasons.
Midfielders Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Dion Prestia all missed almost half of Richmond’s 2024 season, so that should boost their chances if they’re fully fit and available after positive pre-seasons.
Josh Gibcus did his ACL early last season and isn’t expected back for Round 1, instead probably May at best.
Mainstays
Jayden Short is probably a premium defender who could finish in the top 6 in the backline. Last year was a 10/15 point drop-off on average across both formats, so he offers some upside if he can return to his career average.
Toby Nankervis was one of the most reliable rucks going around last year, averaging 100.6/110.2 (AF/SC), so don’t dismiss him, although he is pricey.
Room for improvement
Tim Taranto’s ownership is currently low, especially for someone who averaged 112.4/106.7 (AF/SC) in 2023, only to have a 12-17 point drop-off, meaning he’s got some value in his starting price. Injuries didn’t help him last year, but if he’s up and running, he’s worth a look.
Rookies
No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor will draw a lot of ownership despite his inflated price. He’s still working on his tank in pre-season and a concussion in a match sim against West Coast won’t help. He should play plenty, but will he score big? Averaged 23 disposals in the NAB Coates League last year.
Keep an eye on 195cm midfielder Josh Smillie too, having gone at no.7 in last year’s draft, although he’s injured early. Richmond have confirmed Lalor, along with key position first-rounders Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong will debut in Round 1.
Trainor, Richmond’s fourth pick (No. 21 overall) in last year’s Draft, gets his opportunity in the defensive end after an impressive first pre-season at Tigerland.
The 194cm, athletic 18-year-old impressed in Richmond’s pre-season match against Collingwood at Ikon Park, collecting 12 disposals (at 92% efficiency) and four marks in just 40 per cent of game time.
Trainor followed up with a solid performance off half-back in last week’s match simulation at Punt Road, including a classy running goal.
Standing at 195cm, Armstrong will take his place as a key target in the young Tigers’ forward line on Thursday night.
The Vic Metro and Sandringham Dragons focal point was taken by Richmond with pick no. 23 in the 2024 draft.
After missing the trip to Perth due to illness, Armstrong recovered in time to face Collingwood where his work to lay four tackles and compete strongly in the air was highlighted by coach Adem Yze.
