RICHMOND failed to back up its top four appearance from Season 7 in Season 8, missing out on finals this year. The Tigers star midfielder Monique Conti won the AFLW League Best and Fairest after a sensational season and some near-misses in past years, but ultimately the Tigers did not achieve the same heights of the year before. They managed to bring in some readymade talent over Trade Period and dropped back down the draft order in the process.

OFF-SEASON CHANGES

In: Jodie Hicks, Ally Dallaway, Montana McKinnon, Pick 13, Pick 43
Out: Meagan Kiely (retired), Jess Hosking, Stephanie Williams, Sarah D’Arcy, Lilly Baker, Meg Macdonald (delisted), Pick 9, Pick 30, Pick 69

Draft Selections: 13, 43, 49

Richmond had a surprising delisting in Jess Hosking who had her fair share of injury concerns but has since been picked up by West Coast, with Sarah D’Arcy and Meg Macdonald also among the departures, as Meagan Kiely retired. The Tigers did recruit a couple of Giants in Ally Dallaway and Jodie Hicks, while being able to offer Crow Montana McKinnon a more permanent role. They traded back to Pick 13 after initially having nine, as well as lost Pick 30, but dragged up their third selection 20 spots to be all done inside the top 50.

FIRST PICK

Richmond enters the draft at a fascinating stage, just outside the top group, but ahead of the next lot which suggests the Tigers were happy to reach on a player. It could mean they opt for an athletic type like Isabel Bacon or Emily Gough who have been rising up draft boards throughout the year. Both are outstanding runners and add physicality to the lineup.

If the likes of Ella Slocombe or Mikayla Williamson happened to be there, they would be too good to refuse, though it shows the Tigers have plenty of potential scenarios at their footsteps. If the Jemma Rigoni is yet to come, do not rule it out at this pick, though Melbourne will swiftly match with Pick 23.

More readymade options include midfielders Chloe Adams and Kayley Kavanagh, while tall forward Georgia Clark would fit a need up forward. All up, the Tigers are difficult to predict given the amount of possible scenarios ahead of them.

REMAINING DRAFT CROP

The Tigers’ remaining two picks both come in the 40s which means they will have to wait a while and see a lot of names come off the board. Richmond might look out west for some readymade talent and one of Jaime Henry or Anjelique Raison, especially if they pick up Slocombe with the first pick.

From a Stingrays perspective, bookends, Jemma Ramsdale and Sophie Butterworth are others who might be targets at either end, with Ramsdale being that natural leader and rebounding force, while Butterworth would be a key position target.

Richmond is also no stranger to selecting mature-age talent, and could head to the VFLW to look at Jessica Bates or Akayla Peterson who have been outstanding in their respective roles this season. The Tigers might even be the ones to force St Kilda to take Charlotte Simpson with a bid.

SUMMARY

Richmond is a difficult team to predict due to the unknowns with where the Tigers’ picks lay. The top 12 could go a number of ways which would change the scope of the Tigers’ pick, and then later on Richmond would be able to either grab a slider or set its sights on mature-age selections.