RICHMOND went through a full club review which saw a change in coach and football operations manager, all the while the Tigers went about securing the first pick in the AFLW Draft. The Tigers were already at Pick 4, but opted to trade up in order to pick up one of the draft’s most versatile and unique prospects in what might be seen as a bolter by some, but boasting significant natural talent and upside.

>> FREE: View the 2025 AFLW Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: 16th (H&A) | 2-10 | 59.9% | Eliminated: Regular Season
2025 PICKS: 1, 38, 56, 58, 63, 76
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1 (Richmond), ’26 R2 (Richmond), ’26 R3 (Richmond), ’26 R3 (Fremantle)

LIST CHANGES:

IN
Georgia Stubs (trade, North Melbourne), Dana East (trade, Fremantle)

OUT
Tessa Lavey (retired), Jodie Hicks (retired), Lulu Beatty (delisted), Lauren Brazzale (delisted), Charley Ryan (delisted), Grace Egan (trade, Adelaide), Katelyn Cox (delisted), Shelby Knoll (delisted)

Richmond was keen on Georgia Stubs in her draft year, so to add the exciting runner to the list after a frustrating first year, and then unlucky second year at North Melbourne was a big plus for the yellow and black. They also brought in Fremantle’s Dana East at the eleventh hour to help with inside midfield depth, as the Tigers cleared the decks with a couple of retirements and a host of delistings, while also sending Grace Egan to Adelaide for the Tigers’ second selection at Pick 38.

FIRST PICK:
Pick 1

It was revealed by Rookie Me Central on Tuesday morning that the Tigers had opted for Northern Knights’ Scarlett Johnson with the first pick in the AFLW Draft. Boasting some of the best upside in the draft, Johnson can play across multiple lines, and had a breakout year as a wing/defender after previously being a tall forward.

Standing at 175cm, Johnson has some of the best hands in the AFLW Draft crop, and while she is likely to still build more strength to compete against the bigger bodies, her running capacity and explosive speed for her size makes her a fantastic prospect for the future. She would join Ellie McKenzie as another Northern Knights pick one to go to Richmond, while Gabby Newton (Western Bulldogs now Fremantle) was an earlier pick one selection from the same region.

Johnson earned the pick ahead of Vic Metro teammate Chloe Bown, with the Tigers able to add a couple of inside ball-winners over the trade period, while Johnson adds a different look to the side with her run-and-carry and overall athleticism.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 38, 56, 58

Richmond has four list spots open so is likely to use all of the above picks, unless signing anyone outside the period, or potentially waiting until the Preseason Draft for a pick or two. The Tigers are openly looking for athletic types, so it would be hard to ignore Asher Fearn-Wannan if she was still on the board at their selection. Also able to play multiple lines, the hard-running wing has a nice endurance-speed mix just like Johnson.

The Tigers struggled up forward this season, so a marking target inside 50 could be what the doctor ordered, and if Glenelg’s Eloise Mackereth was still there, she would be tough to ignore. Nalu Brothwell is one such player who could be targeted for a higher role with her running capacity and aerial strength, while Richmond might even add that inside option with Johnson’s Northern teammate Olivia Gorman who would be right in that hitting zone.

Given the later selections, the Tigers might begin to look into some readymade options with Collingwood VFLW Rising Star Tahlia Sanger, current train-on and big-bodied inside midfielder Abbey Tregellis or Williamstown’s Emily Eaves for the spot. If the second selection was an inside player then perhaps a running talent in Stasia Stevenson or Jemima Wrigley are both in the mix up respective ends.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Where do Richmond see Scarlett Johnson’s best position?
– Do the Tigers opt for an inside player or look for further outside run with Pick 38?
– Will Richmond pick up a mature-ager as they so often do, or go to the Preseason Draft late?