Richmond plans to be active in this year’s trade period.
“There are a number of areas we need to bolster in the off-season, and we will be looking to improve our list through the trade period and then the draft,” said Richmond’s General Manager of Football, Craig Cameron.
“We will be active and very targeted in the trade this year. And, we will be looking at every opportunity to improve the list, including the tradeable under-17 (Greater Western Sydney) players. The final list of eight hasn’t been publicised as yet, but once we’re aware of the players, we will assess them and speak to GWS.
“As per last year, (RFC List Manager) Blair Hartley is extremely well prepared for the upcoming trade period and is writing a free-agency strategy for the Club that will encompass the next three years. We are mindful that free agency starts in 2012 and that must be part of our long-term planning.”
Richmond has also been linked with recruiting a strong-bodied key defender, but Cameron is wary of not stifling the development of the several young, tall backmen within the playing group.
“We think we have a number of young tall defenders that will develop into good AFL footballers. Injuries to Grimes, Astbury and Moore (even though he is older) have stretched us in this area. We will be on the lookout to bolster our defence, but we must ensure that we allow our younger tall backs to develop,” he said.
The Tigers also will continue to scour state leagues throughout Australia for suitable players, who can help bolster their depth of talent.
“Given the relative shallowness of this year’s draft pool, our recruiters have spent a lot of time looking at various state leagues (VFL, SANFL & WAFL), to find potential mature-aged players,” Cameron said.
“If there are any there they consider of AFL quality, I’m sure we will draft some.”
