Richmond’s reputation as the AFL’s biggest bidders come draft time, was further enhanced during the 2020 national draft.
The Tigers placed a bid on Essendon Academy prospect Josh Eyre at pick 39, which the Bombers subsequently matched.
Although Richmond missed out on the tall key forward, in recent years it has successfully prised several talented, young players away from the clubs that they were tied to.
And, overall, the Tigers are clearly No. 1 in the competition for bidding on opposition clubs’ Academy or father-son players.
Since the introduction of the AFL’s bidding system in 2015, they have done so nine times, which is three more than the next most (Essendon and North Melbourne, both with six bids).
Tale of the Tigers’ bids
Matthew Kennedy, Brisbane Academy. Pick 13, 2015. Matched by the Lions.
Eric Hipwood, Brisbane Academy. Pick 14, 2015. Matched by the Lions.
Bailey Rice, St Kilda father-son. Pick 49, 2015. Matched by the Saints.
Ryan Garthwaite, Greater Western Sydney Academy. Pick 72, 2016. Secured by the Tigers.
Connor McFadyen, Brisbane Academy. Pick 42, 2018. Matched by the Lions.
Noah Cumberland, Brisbane Academy. Pick 43, 2019. Secured by the Tigers.
William Martyn, Brisbane Academy. Pick 44, 2019. Secured by the Tigers.
Bigoa Nyuon, St Kilda Academy. Pick 54, 2019. Secured by the Tigers.
Josh Eyre, Essendon Academy. Pick 39, 2020. Matched by the Bombers.
And Mabior Chol, pick 30 in the 2016 rookie draft and Samson Ryan, pick 40 in the 2020 national draft, were Brisbane Academy graduates recruited by Richmond.
