Richmond picked up the equal most number of 2017 under-18 All-Australian representatives in this year’s AFL national draft.
The Tigers drafted small forward/midfielder Jack Higgins (pick 17), ruckman/forward, Callum Coleman-Jones (pick 20) and midfielder Patrick Naish (pick 34), who all shone in the under-18 national championships held mid-year.
Higgins was adjudged Vic Metro’s MVP after averaging 27.3 disposals per match and kicking six goals in four games throughout the carnival.
Coleman-Jones averaged 17 disposals and 19.5 hit-outs per match as captain of the South Australian side, with a standout 28-disposal display against the Allies, and scored three goals all-up.
Naish averaged 21.8 disposals per match and kicked three goals in his four games for Vic Metro.
The two other AFL clubs that secured three under-18 All-Australians apiece were St Kilda (Ben Paton, Oscar Clavarino and Nick Coffield) and West Coast (Brayden Ainsworth, Jarrod Brander and Oscar Allen).