And with the advent of free agency complicating the way players and draft picks are shuffled from club to club, the Tigers’ list management staff have needed to be even more prepared.
“We have been planning for free agency for a long period of time, rating and analysing all club lists extensively,” said Richmond’s Opposition and List Analyst, Blair Hartley, in a web chat with fans on richmondfc.com.au today.
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“Free agency offers another avenue to upgrade the talent on your list, while protecting your draft position. We have not only planned for this year, but for the years ahead.
“It brings a whole new mindset to player movement, and the Club has been great in sending me overseas to study all different forms of free agency in different sports.
“Some of the work the guys do in the NFL is phenomenal, and it has been great to spend time with them while still staying in regular contact.”
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Richmond’s planned approach allowed it to swoop in the first few days of free agency last week, with the Club welcoming Adelaide’s Chris Knights and Port Adelaide’s Troy Chaplin as free agents.
But Tiger fans should not expect the same flurry of activity in the remainder of the player movement period.
“We were pleased to acquire Chris Knights and Troy Chaplin in the free agency period, while keeping our picks in the National Draft, including three picks inside the top 32,” Hartley said.
“It is important that we continue to make calculated decisions. It is easy to get caught up in the rush that occurs but we won’t be making any knee-jerk decisions just to get involved.
“It is important that we consider the future and constantly plan ahead. We are not going to bring someone in, at the cost of better deal/option in the coming years.”
