Rebuild that started in 2024 draft : What are our missing pieces after 2 drafts

[Infamy]

That being said you asked what the missing pieces are in terms of the thread and while I agree the young ones need to be given a chance nothing I've seen at current dissuades me from thinking that we wouldn't be a better team with a Nick Watson or Coby Weightman type in the side.

I agree, but that's also the icing type player you can target later in your rebuild as they typically don't take too long to develop and can be found in the mid 1st round or later of the draft once we start moving up the ladder.

 

[THE_GUN]

Arkie Butler would be that player

 

[Dr Tigris]

What you trading Ross ?

Nank gives up the Captaincy
Taranto - Captain
Ross - Vice Captain

Following on from Meteoric Rise. Saying trading with the Pies makes me feel sick. But if we had to trade one and we got 2 firsts back Ross would be a good one.

A brilliant piece of humour you have to admit.

 

[THE_GUN]

Following on from Meteoric Rise. Saying trading with the Pies makes me feel sick. But if we had to trade one and we got 2 firsts back Ross would be a good one.

A brilliant piece of humour you have to admit.

yep but only 1 problem
if we had drafted that spud he wouldnt have wanted to be traded to the pies and we would have been stuck with him

 

[#BallMagnet]

List of players that would be considered small forwards or will play in that position
Campbell
Alger
Green
Rioli
Mansell
Peucker
NRT
Hotton

I think we have enough

With this backlog of young talent at the small forward position, what's the chances of the F/S Daffy being drafted?
Could be another Kellaway situation.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

With this backlog of young talent at the small forward position, what's the chances of the F/S Daffy being drafted?
Could be another Kellaway situation.

Father-sons barely relevant any more unless it allows you access to a top talent you couldn't have otherwise taken. Or the odd time you rate the player about as highly as the club who rates them highest.

From what I have seen of Daffy he doesn't look an extreme talent at this point. He is likely to need to be in the best 3-4 in his U/18 team to get drafted by anyone, let alone Richmond.

 

[THE_GUN]

With this backlog of young talent at the small forward position, what's the chances of the F/S Daffy being drafted?
Could be another Kellaway situation.

He is looking like a late pick currently
If he is considered a good enough player then we will select him and develop him to be the best he can
alot of the players i mentioned above will either play other roles or not be as good as we believe and some may want to leave.

If he is good enough then we will select Daffy and i think he has alot of upside to him but 2026 will determine if he can become a better player but currently looking like a rookie selection

 

[Moppey]

As a long term proponent of doing in the two's what you do in the ones then its depth.

If its three tall forwards in the seniors for example Lynch, Faull and Armstrong then you need three in the two's for succession and injury we have Lefau, Sims and Fawcett. When Lynch retires we should then replenish the number.

Same right across the field some areas the numbers are right some are borderline and some will need replenishing as the oldies retire and some fail.

For me id like to see 3 or 4 more mids on the list especially with the questions about Sonsie and Prestia age/retirement.

I also think if you only have long shots as part of your succession plan you need to load up a bit more in that area.

 

[Football Tragic]

The forwardline makeup, is an interesting argument. I actually don't believe the three tall forward structure, works. I feel its a short term strategy to ensure that Faull and Armstrong can get games and learn in real time from Lynch.

I feel, as soon as he's gone, it will be Faull and Armstrong as our tall forwards, two rotating mids in Taranto/Hopper/Lalor/Cumming/Hotton and three small forwards including Campbell. I'm not sold on Green, Mansell and Rioli atm. I don't think they are the long term answer. I'm hoping one of our new recruits or a player we trade for/draft fills that spot moving forward.

That's why the small forward role is the one I think we should be trying to fill alongside the ruck. We really lack in dangerous smalls atm

 

[cairo tiger]

jagger

 

[The Vaucluse]

History tells us that running with 3 key forwards doesn’t work in finals. I see Sims becoming a Brendon Gale type who plays more in the ruck with short bursts in the forward line. Appreciate that Gale started in the forward line and transitioned into the ruck. We lack a cohort of small dynamic forwards that can hit the scoreboard. Unfortunately, there is a few running around at other clubs who have been on our list and they would be best 23 at Tigerland in 2026. A Josh Weddell would be handy, we couldn’t stop him when he played against us. Finally, we need a strong athletic ruck to work with Sim when Nank retires.

 

[beema limapep]

Some fit players with no injury history would be nice.

 

[tigs2010]

Some fit players with no injury history would be nice.

Like Smillie?

 

[Calcium Man]

Like Smillie?

Should have taken injury free Jagga

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Harry Van Hattum​

 

[beema limapep]

Harry Van Hattum​

Isn't that Milhouse's son?

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Isn't that Milhouse's son?

 

[THE_GUN]

Harry Van Hattum​

Lets see how he goes this season and what he becomes , His performances in the combine will play a big part of what type of ruckman he projects to become in the future.

Currently he is a great size height and build but does he have the speed agility and tank to make it as a AFL level A grade Ruckman.

 

[Bird Man]

Missing a player like Jagga Smith

 

[Football Tragic]

Missing a player like Jagga Smith

We've got an upgrade in Sam Lalor....and Taj Hotton....and Cumming, Gryll and hopefully Smilie

 

[Delediodelight]

This is my 2028 team, assuming they reach their potential. The gaps are wing, ruck, and I think Mansell could be upgraded.

Taranto and Hotton would be midfield rotation, I would look to add another genuine midfielder.

Wing I could see Grjl moving to in the future and allowing Brown or a genuine small defender. Would need another winger, Darcy Wilson would be a great addition here.

Small forward like Watson would be great, speed, pressure and smarts.

What we do need is good player management with injuries, and development over the next 2 years.

 

[fargothegreat]

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This is my 2028 team, assuming they reach their potential. The gaps are wing, ruck, and I think Mansell could be upgraded.

Taranto and Hotton would be midfield rotation, I would look to add another genuine midfielder.

Wing I could see Grjl moving to in the future and allowing Brown or a genuine small defender. Would need another winger, Darcy Wilson would be a great addition here.

Small forward like Watson would be great, speed, pressure and smarts.

What we do need is good player management with injuries, and development over the next 2 years.

I think you could add McAuliffe to that lineup, either as another mid rotation or on the wing.

Number 1 priority is a ruck, then a goal sneak small forward, then another wing.