In an afl.com.au special pre-season series, staff writers have taken a look at the players from each league club who will profit most from new or returning players joining them in 2017, or the injury and departures of others.  Here’s the Richmond player Nathan Schmook believes is about to be set free . . . and why.

The Tigers have long identified the need for a hard-bodied ball-winner to take the pressure off skipper Trent Cotchin.

They thought they'd found the answer last year in Jacob Townsend, but more reinforcements are clearly needed.

Enter Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia . . .

Cotchin's career-best 2012 season saw him average 5.27 inside-50s (3.49 since) and 0.82 marks in attack (0.36 since).

His ability to push forward has been stunted by his responsibility at the coalface, but Caddy and Prestia will attend their share of centre bounces in 2017.

Watch for Cotchin to rotate forward more where he is an underrated mark, quick thinker and dangerous if isolated in one-on-one contests.