With Richmond currently holding three picks in the 20s at the upcoming 2021 AFL national draft, Tony Greenberg examines how the Tigers have fared with such selections throughout their drafting history . . .

Triple premiership player Shane Edwards, four-time Jack Dyer Medallist Wayne Campbell, and three-time flag CEO Brendon Gale headline Richmond’s success with picks in the 20s since the national draft’s inception.

Gale, who was taken by the Tigers at pick 27 overall in the 1987 draft, went on to play 244 games, before embarking on a hugely-successful stint as the Club’s CEO.

Campbell, pick 29 in the 1989 draft, played 297 games for Richmond, won the Jack Dyer Medal in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2002, and served as the Tigers’ captain from 2001-04.

Edwards, drafted by Richmond at pick 26 in the 2006 national draft, has played 281 games, including the 2017, 2019 and 2020 Grand Final triumphs.

The Tigers get a big tick for several additional selections in the 20s, including other current-day premiership players Shai Bolton and Noah Balta, as well as Jamie Tape, Jason Torney and Mark Coughlan.

Here is the full list of Richmond’s national draft picks in the 20s . . .

1987: Brendon Gale, from Burnie Hawks (Tasmania), pick 27 – 244 games.

1989: Wayne Campbell, Golden Square (Bendigo), pick 29 – 297 games.

1990: Christopher Smith, Assumption College (Kilmore), pick 28 – 0 games.

1992: Mark Jones, Norwood (SANFL), pick 22 – 0 games.

1992: Jamie Tape, Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL), pick 28 – 75 games.

1993: Stephen Jurica, South Fremantle (WAFL), pick 26 – 18 games.

1994: Jason Torney, South Adelade (SANFL), pick 29 – 118 games.

1999: Ezra Poyas, Prahran Dragons (TAC Cup), pick 22 – 9 games.

2000: Mark Coughlan, Perth (WAFL), pick 25 – 92 games.

2003: Alex Gilmour, Tassie Mariners/Tassie Devils (Tasmania), pick 21 – 0 games.

2004: Dean Polo, Gippsland Power (TAC Cup), pick 20 – 56 games.

2005: Cleve Hughes, Norwood (SANFL), pick 24 – 16 games.

2006: Shane Edwards, North Adelaide (SANFL), pick 26 – 281 games.

2008: Jayden Post, Western Jets (TAC Cup), pick 26 – 30 games.

2011: Todd Elton, Dandenong Stingrays (TAC Cup), pick 26 – 10 games.

2016: Shai Bolton, South Fremantle (WAFL), pick 29 – 67 games.

2017: Noah Balta, Calder Cannons (TAC Cup), pick 25 – 44 games.

2018: Riley Collier-Dawkins, Oakleigh Chargers (TAC Cup), pick 20 – 9 games.

2019: Thomson Dow, Bendigo Pioneers (TAC Cup), pick 21 – 7 games.