It’s safe to say the AFL national draft hasn’t been Richmond's best source of hidden talent, having cashed in more successfully through the rookie draft, particularly in recent years.
Saying that, the Tigers landed a cherished skipper with pick No.55 in 2000, with Chris Newman going on to play 268 games between 2002-15, one of the toughest eras for the Club.
The half-back overcame a badly broken leg relatively early in his career to captain Richmond from 2009-2012, leading a consistently under-the-pump defence with his clean kicking.
Fellow backman Andy Kellaway was plucked from Richmond’s reserves with pick No.71 in 1997, racking up 172 games in a courageous career that produced a Jack Dyer Medal and All-Australian berth.
Shane Tuck was a mainstay in Richmond's midfield during the 2000s, playing 173 games after his selection with pick No.73 in the 2003 draft.
Jack Graham, pick No.53 in 2016, could go on to take Newman's crown as the Tigers’ greatest bang-for-buck national draft selection by the end of his career.
