Player Watch #24 Sam Grlj

[THE_GUN]

You are falling into the trap that most posters are.

The club pays Rhy and his staff to get the best players in the land. They have exhaustive statistics and follow kids for several years.

They have their own ranking, as do all other recruiters. Look at the way NHH and others were not drafted. It's moronic to say Kane was the 94th-ranked player because we have no idea how any of the other clubs ranked him. It's just one lot of people's opinions that follow these guys a lot less and never interview them to see their character.

Blair doesn't get involved with actual player selection either. With that aspect, it falls squarely on the shoulders of Rhy and his team.

In the end, it's an inexact science, and to criticise our recruiters because it doesn't suit your far inferior opinion is silly.

This is correct and the recruitment team have vital data and probably 100's of hours of footage that would have been forensically examined with talented draft scouts for months before the draft and they would have their reasons for have player X infront of player Y and select accordingly. I was a supporter that wanted Robey over Grlj but i would have seen him play at most 10-12 hours and not have the data they do so we need to trust their decision on the reasons why X was selected over Y

 

[THE_GUN]

Just one thing in your post. I don't think we turned pick 38 into pick 31 to take a specific player. I think 38 became 31 without us doing anything due to many higher picks being used up in bidding.

But you and other posters are spot on here. When our recruiters are seeking certain attributes, and the guy is available with these attributes, you take him. You don't worry about draft jargon like "reaching."

I guess another way to look at it is we used 4 players that were either quick(Bolton) really good runners(Baker, Graham) or both(Rioli) to get 5 first round picks to get the spine of our future team in the 2024 draft. Then in the 2025 draft we replaced the runners we gave up in 2024. So our 2028 onwards team is really taking shape now, we'd be hoping for something like:

B Miller Balta Gibcus
HB Trainor Banks Grlj Brown
Wings Ralphsmith Retschko? Ross?
Inside mids Smillie Cumming Lalor/Hotton McAuliffe + gun FA yet to be recruited
Ruck Unknown first ruck/Sims ideal 2nd ruck
HF Campbell Lalor/Hotton Mansell + either Rioli/Alger/Peucker
F Armstrong Faull Sims

It seems in theory we have just a long term ruck and maybe a winger to find. So we can see our future team is taking great shape.

Smith , Fawcett , Green ?

 

[THE_GUN]

Upon review I am perplexed by the Peurker pick at 31 ... his 2km time trial was over 7min. A player with such poor endurance is unlikely to have an AFL career.

Picking Cumming and Grjl ahead of XTaylor was the right call but we will need to replace Vlastuin and Broad eventually and Kondogiannas, who performed better than Taylor for Vic Metro was available at this peuck.

That is just silly comment

This guy has only become serious about playing AFL the last 12 months and already showed his talent at the level
the 2klm time is fine for a small foward but i would bet anything that after 2 years and 3 preseasons he will knock off atleast 30-40 seconds off his 2klm time as that is the part of his game that is easily fixed.

 

[tigs2010]

They said on their draft board they had him ranked incredibly high and well and truly in the top 10.

Concerning

 

[of unsound mind]

That is just silly comment

This guy has only become serious about playing AFL the last 12 months and already showed his talent at the level
the 2klm time is fine for a small foward but i would bet anything that after 2 years and 3 preseasons he will knock off atleast 30-40 seconds off his 2klm time as that is the part of his game that is easily fixed.

2km time for a forward is less of a concern, its more repeat sprints. By his body shape he’s much more a power athlete. Endurance running can and will be improved, but it’s not going to be a strength. Might limit his versatility, and maybe an issue if he wants to spend significant time in the middle.
He’s got some attributes, hopefully we can make them work at afl level.

 

[THE_GUN]

2km time for a forward is less of a concern, its more repeat sprints. By his body shape he’s much more a power athlete. Endurance running can and will be improved, but it’s not going to be a strength. Might limit his versatility, and maybe an issue if he wants to spend significant time in the middle.
He’s got some attributes, hopefully we can make them work at afl level.

Not sure if he is just a foward with the numbers he racked up as a junior and a player that focused late on his football
He has a similar build and pace to papley who does have stints in the midfield.
But you would have to think his endurance wont be an issue once at Richmond after a couple of years. Lot of potential and high ceiling type player

 

[of unsound mind]

Not sure if he is just a foward with the numbers he racked up as a junior and a player that focused late on his football
He has a similar build and pace to papley who does have stints in the midfield.
But you would have to think his endurance wont be an issue once at Richmond after a couple of years. Lot of potential and high ceiling type player

Yeah he’s more than a forward, played a lot of midfield for his u18 club with good stats. Defensive accountability and two way running in afl is different though, that will be the question. I like what I see, plenty of upside. I linked an article in his welcome thread.

 

[RJK Tiger]

This last line sums up what many are saying on here but it’s so wrong. Just because the fox footy ranking was 94 doesn’t mean that’s where he should be drafted, same with Grlj.
It’s so laughable that many base a lot of their comments on what a random panel decides a player should be ranked. Same with mock drafts from so called junior talent watchers. Our recruiting team watch these kids for 3-4 years at least before ranking them.
We turned 38 into 30 because we wanted the player we clearly rated at that level. And perhaps we got word that another team with a pick before 38 were going to take him. As was the case with Faull last year when many said we went too early on him.
We won’t know for years whether we made the right calls in this draft, but we have to back in our team of talent spotters as like I said, they’ve been watching them for years, not months like most of us. We have a highly rated, long-standing and respected member of the recruiting team (Cousens) that watches the young talent in SA and WA, and most of the draftees for us this year were from SA. If he says they should be considered, they should be, as he has identified many gems over the years.

It wasn't just the Fox ratings tho, was it?

Show me any ranking of note where he was even in the top 40 or 50. I searched the B&f databse for his surname & he was not on any clubs supporters list except for a pick in the late 50s. Even the 2 Adelaide teams were not circling him based on that search.

It was a reach. They happen every draft & when they do, they get rewards/judged very hard. Get it right & your a genius. Get it wrong.....

This draft will either make Hartley a legend or Greg Miller. A guy who peaked, then fell hard


The dishonest revisionist history you lot constantly do is weird. Months & months or projecting your "wants" from this draft. Next to no one had "Cumming, Grlj, Peucker". I watched the BF live feed with Michaels, Grock, EJ & TT. I saw the absolute disappointment in their faces "in the moment". I heard Michaels say "your kidding aren't ya?". I KNOW exactly what the feeling was when it happened.

If you guys want to convince/gaslight yourselves into thinking "this is what you wanted" after watching the Tigs lose 18 games this - then go for it. But constantly shitting on people who have just chosen to hold onto the same opinion they went into the draft with & judge it appropriately is a pisstake.

 

[Punt Road Feral]

It looks like Grlj will play kamikaze football off half back.
When it will come off it will be brilliant to the eye but if there's a break in the chain it could hurt us on the turnover significantly.

Plenty of times that happened with the Tigers in 2025 and the fan group was pretty mature about it and could see the game plan we were trying to play but it would be the odd fumble or off handball here or there that broke the whole play up.

My slight concern on Grlj is he could run himself into trouble at AFL level or put significant heat on his teammates with his decision making in tight traffic situations, especially early days as he adjusts to the intensity of this level.

 

[TJTIGER]

I’ve been a long time reader but first time poster. I was fortunate enough to attend the draft Wednesday night and the North Melbourne after party, which Richmond and the Gold Coast shared the same venue.
I spoke to the North recruiting team about Grlj, questioning our picking him earlier than most draft boards had him going. They said on their draft board they had him ranked incredibly high and well and truly in the top 10.
Was also great as the tiges had 7-8 players turn up to meet the new boys. I got a chance to chat with Yze who said the new boys would really add to and compliment the way we want to play. Was a great night!

Welcome to posting & Thanks for sharing!!

 

[TJTIGER]

It looks like Grlj will play kamikaze football off half back.
When it will come off it will be brilliant to the eye but if there's a break in the chain it could hurt us on the turnover significantly.

Plenty of times that happened with the Tigers in 2025 and the fan group was pretty mature about it and could see the game plan we were trying to play but it would be the odd fumble or off handball here or there that broke the whole play up.

My slight concern on Grlj is he could run himself into trouble at AFL level or put significant heat on his teammates with his decision making in tight traffic situations, especially early days as he adjusts to the intensity of this level.

If he does run himself into trouble, good. He will evolve, learn and get better. I expect errors from all our young players. I think that's part of the point Yze was making in that club video. Don't be afraid, commit even if you make mistakes it's ok. But don't be half hearted and back yourselves.... (This is how I saw what Adam was telling the young fellas. )
I think it's only with that complete committment & fearlessness, confidence & belief grows....

 

[Ancient Tiger]

It wasn't just the Fox ratings tho, was it?

Show me any ranking of note where he was even in the top 40 or 50. I searched the B&f databse for his surname & he was not on any clubs supporters list except for a pick in the late 50s. Even the 2 Adelaide teams were not circling him based on that search.

It was a reach. They happen every draft & when they do, they get rewards/judged very hard. Get it right & your a genius. Get it wrong.....

This draft will either make Hartley a legend or Greg Miller. A guy who peaked, then fell hard


The dishonest revisionist history you lot constantly do is weird. Months & months or projecting your "wants" from this draft. Next to no one had "Cumming, Grlj, Peucker". I watched the BF live feed with Michaels, Grock, EJ & TT. I saw the absolute disappointment in their faces "in the moment". I heard Michaels say "your kidding aren't ya?". I KNOW exactly what the feeling was when it happened.

If you guys want to convince/gaslight yourselves into thinking "this is what you wanted" after watching the Tigs lose 18 games this - then go for it. But constantly shitting on people who have just chosen to hold onto the same opinion they went into the draft with & judge it appropriately is a pisstake.

Bullshit.

How do you know what any other teams ranking’s are? You haven’t got a clue. Zero. Zip. Have you spoken to any team’s recruiting staff? Unless you have spoken to all, then you are making up crap.

Michael’s upset? LMAO. Love the bloke but he has the same information as the rest of us. I didn’t know Peucker either, but I know the club has hours of vision and amazing stats on hundreds of footballers. As an upper tier coterie member I am privileged to see some of these things and it is impressive.

Having said that there is no guarantee a pick 31 will be a champion. They have to go with their information in the end. Information the rest of us are not privy to.

 

[THE_GUN]

Bullshit.

How do you know what any other teams ranking’s are? You haven’t got a clue. Zero. Zip. Have you spoken to any team’s recruiting staff? Unless you have spoken to all, then you are making up crap.

Michael’s upset? LMAO. Love the bloke but he has the same information as the rest of us. I didn’t know Peucker either, but I know the club has hours of vision and amazing stats on hundreds of footballers. As an upper tier coterie member I am privileged to see some of these things and it is impressive.

Having said that there is no guarantee a pick 31 will be a champion. They have to go with their information in the end. Information the rest of us are not privy to.

Not just all of what you wrote is correct but ill add 1 more very important thing to that

A talent scout / recruiter or what ever his title is now days Sam Cousens who is responsible for spotting the talents of some of our best WA players for so many years had his eyes all over these SA boys and identified these boys as being worth their spots they were selected and seen the traits in them that fit what we are building.

I highly doubt any organisation that created the rankings on any media outlet would have seen the talent as much as a Football clubs recruitment department.

So when i see Fox Footy put up a sign ranked at number X
I ask who did that ranking Sheehan ? Ablett ? or the bloke holding the camera

 

[Mr Magic]

It looks like Grlj will play kamikaze football off half back.
When it will come off it will be brilliant to the eye but if there's a break in the chain it could hurt us on the turnover significantly.

Plenty of times that happened with the Tigers in 2025 and the fan group was pretty mature about it and could see the game plan we were trying to play but it would be the odd fumble or off handball here or there that broke the whole play up.

My slight concern on Grlj is he could run himself into trouble at AFL level or put significant heat on his teammates with his decision making in tight traffic situations, especially early days as he adjusts to the intensity of this level.

I think Sam Grlj is playing in the wrong position.

He is a player I have had trouble trying to figure out. I will admit that.

One thing about Grlj is we would like longevity. Everybody would not want him getting injuries.Hopefully he plays a long time for Tigerland, maybe not Boomer long but hopefully quite long.

One of the things I struggle to digest is this burst concept from halfback. I get the slingshot into open space etc..however at times he is coming from congestion in the back half. He seems rushed kicking at times and is so frantic composure is compromised and looks rushed. It is what it is, I am not writing doing this wrong, doing that wrong because things need to evolve as he and his teammates develop as they explore.

When I see him rush in congestion I think is this counter intuitative?? Is it against the grain in the sense he is working harder than he needs to be?? what we do not want him to get is injuries. I do not like the Butters comparison because I do not like Butters injuries and I think Butters is overrated. I look at Sam bounding away and then there is the congestion. I think, what is he like bounding away without the ball?? It is easier to run without the ball than with the ball for Sam? I he appears to run well with the ball but is it easier for him to run without the ball? Then I think to myself, is Grjl actually playing out of position??

Is a half forwardish role a better position for Grjl than half back??? Why would this be??? the logic would be he could run forward from the forward line into the centre and beyond creating leading options breaking up the forward line giving our backmen more targets as they advance especially shorter . At half forward would not have to worry about numbers in defensive half. Sam would have more space to burn and get less injuries. Can he play a Lambert role??At Half forward Grjl could open up the forward line with run, cover our taller forwards and provide defensive pressure up the ground and being in more space have more longevity with less pressure. Deep in the forward line theoretically he could switch with Sam Cummings where Sam C goes deep in more congestion and Grjl drifts up the ground a little in more space to use his enduro and speed defensively possibly.

I think this is something to consider to make our team better and get the best out of all our players. Obviously he is just starting, it is early days, but something to consider I think to help him play better and us be more cohesive.

When deep in our forward fifty, as an alternative setup Noah Roberts Thompson and Peucker can provide groundball grunt and defensive pressure deep inside forward fifty for us while Cummings can be a bit further out and Grjl even further out just outside forward fifty maybe creating a greater defensive arc. Grjl maybe able to get the ball back as it exits our fifty with his run and hit Cummings and we know how deadly Cummings can be even from outside fifty from his highlights

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Not just all of what you wrote is correct but ill add 1 more very important thing to that

A talent scout / recruiter or what ever his title is now days Sam Cousens who is responsible for spotting the talents of some of our best WA players for so many years had his eyes all over these SA boys and identified these boys as being worth their spots they were selected and seen the traits in them that fit what we are building.

I highly doubt any organisation that created the rankings on any media outlet would have seen the talent as much as a Football clubs recruitment department.

So when i see Fox Footy put up a sign ranked at number X
I ask who did that ranking Sheehan ? Ablett ? or the bloke holding the camera

Come on, that's a cheap shot dissing the cameraman...you're bigger than that!

 

[We are back baby!]

What is the evidence that he ran over 7 min ?

It was actually in the 6.50s (so 1 minute slower than Grjl)

“I want to finish school, I’m hoping for mid-80s ATAR,” he said. “And then I want to just keep working on my 2km running. That’s something I’ve really had to dial in over the last few seasons. In this preseason, I want to really work on that.

“I ran in the 6:50s [at the combine], which I was hoping for a bit better, but it’s alright. It’s something I’ve worked on.”

That is just silly comment

This guy has only become serious about playing AFL the last 12 months and already showed his talent at the level
the 2klm time is fine for a small foward but i would bet anything that after 2 years and 3 preseasons he will knock off atleast 30-40 secondbs off his 2klm time as that is the part of his game that is easily fixed.

This is just an uninformed post .... Zane himself says he has been working on his 2km running for several seasons now .... and the fact that he has only got it down from low 7's to high 6's shows that endurance is not a strength ... that it is not easily fixed and the idea of him just dropping 30-40s off his time is pure fiction on your part.

In a era where defenders run up to 15km a game it is the area that will decide whether Zane has an AFL career ... his speed size and agility are his strengths but no-one succeeds at AFL level anymore without being able to run all day.

 

[RichoRichoRicho]

Would've been nice to draft XT and Robey and Sharp as well as this kid but it doesn't work that way.

I reckon it's gonna look so obvious in hindsight the kid was a bankable pick.

Played in our VFL side (coaches see how he prepares/fits in/takes instructions) - plays well, demonstrates the traits (speed/run and carry) against men that he does against his peers.

Gets drafted, shows humility, maturity - says all he wants to do is rock up work hard and gain respect.

Doubters gonna look silly

 

[T4P]

Questioning our recruiting team because you trust the dartboard throws of geriatric media nuffies and don't realise that a third of AFL clubs have richmond recruiter representation is funny to me.

We're a recruiting powerhouse that doesn't talk to the media. We know who we are targeting and why, and aren't influenced by other clubs except for know when we will be able to get the players we want. Some clubs just follow nuffie consensus - sounds like some of our fans want that.

The same kind of fans who were stoked that we took RCD because he slid, or are upset that we took Grlj because they think he might've been available in the teens, or thought Dan Rioli was a reach as a small forward in the first round.

 

[T4P]

It was actually in the 6.50s (so 1 minute slower than Grjl)

“I want to finish school, I’m hoping for mid-80s ATAR,” he said. “And then I want to just keep working on my 2km running. That’s something I’ve really had to dial in over the last few seasons. In this preseason, I want to really work on that.

“I ran in the 6:50s [at the combine], which I was hoping for a bit better, but it’s alright. It’s something I’ve worked on.”

This is just an uninformed post .... Zane himself says he has been working on his 2km running for several seasons now .... and the fact that he has only got it down from low 7's to high 6's shows that endurance is not a strength ... that it is not easily fixed and the idea of him just dropping 30-40s off his time is pure fiction on your part.

In a era where defenders run up to 15km a game it is the area that will decide whether Zane has an AFL career ... his speed size and agility are his strengths but no-one succeeds at AFL level anymore without being able to run all day.

Whether he has a strong work ethic is a lot more important than if he's running 7mins or 6mins30 right now. Sounds like he's got a good mix of talent and work ethic. Not worried about that endurance piece, he's a professional athlete now, not a year 12 student.

 

[TiggyTig]

It looks like Grlj will play kamikaze football off half back.
When it will come off it will be brilliant to the eye but if there's a break in the chain it could hurt us on the turnover significantly.

Plenty of times that happened with the Tigers in 2025 and the fan group was pretty mature about it and could see the game plan we were trying to play but it would be the odd fumble or off handball here or there that broke the whole play up.

My slight concern on Grlj is he could run himself into trouble at AFL level or put significant heat on his teammates with his decision making in tight traffic situations, especially early days as he adjusts to the intensity of this level.

Yeah young players make mistakes. Hopefully we tell him to stand still and not take the game on.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Yeah young players make mistakes. Hopefully we tell him to stand still and not take the game on.

Let's leave that issue up to the Umpires then, hopefully he has good hearing in the optimum range!

 

[SA_Tiger11]

Anyone here ran a 2km time trial?

6:50 ain’t that slow

He’s looking at a 10:30 for a 3km trial which used to be the old way of endurance testing.

Absolutely fine

 

[Tigerturbulance]

Grlj will be sizzling in a few seasons and a fan favorite. Tigs lost some edge when Jake King

Jake King

Age

41

Ht

178cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.0

4star

K

8.1

3star

HB

5.8

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.8

4star

G

0.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

14.8

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.8

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

0.2

3star

retired, I'm hoping this kid with his toughness and don't want to lose at all cost mentality will be our next bull terrier.

 

[Grrr]

I think Sam Grlj is playing in the wrong position.

He is a player I have had trouble trying to figure out. I will admit that.

One thing about Grlj is we would like longevity. Everybody would not want him getting injuries.Hopefully he plays a long time for Tigerland, maybe not Boomer long but hopefully quite long.

One of the things I struggle to digest is this burst concept from halfback. I get the slingshot into open space etc..however at times he is coming from congestion in the back half. He seems rushed kicking at times and is so frantic composure is compromised and looks rushed. It is what it is, I am not writing doing this wrong, doing that wrong because things need to evolve as he and his teammates develop as they explore.

When I see him rush in congestion I think is this counter intuitative?? Is it against the grain in the sense he is working harder than he needs to be?? what we do not want him to get is injuries. I do not like the Butters comparison because I do not like Butters injuries and I think Butters is overrated. I look at Sam bounding away and then there is the congestion. I think, what is he like bounding away without the ball?? It is easier to run without the ball than with the ball for Sam? I he appears to run well with the ball but is it easier for him to run without the ball? Then I think to myself, is Grjl actually playing out of position??

Is a half forwardish role a better position for Grjl than half back??? Why would this be??? the logic would be he could run forward from the forward line into the centre and beyond creating leading options breaking up the forward line giving our backmen more targets as they advance especially shorter . At half forward would not have to worry about numbers in defensive half. Sam would have more space to burn and get less injuries. Can he play a Lambert role??At Half forward Grjl could open up the forward line with run, cover our taller forwards and provide defensive pressure up the ground and being in more space have more longevity with less pressure. Deep in the forward line theoretically he could switch with Sam Cummings where Sam C goes deep in more congestion and Grjl drifts up the ground a little in more space to use his enduro and speed defensively possibly.

I think this is something to consider to make our team better and get the best out of all our players. Obviously he is just starting, it is early days, but something to consider I think to help him play better and us be more cohesive.

When deep in our forward fifty, as an alternative setup Noah Roberts Thompson and Peucker can provide groundball grunt and defensive pressure deep inside forward fifty for us while Cummings can be a bit further out and Grjl even further out just outside forward fifty maybe creating a greater defensive arc. Grjl maybe able to get the ball back as it exits our fifty with his run and hit Cummings and we know how deadly Cummings can be even from outside fifty from his highlights

Go and watch his VFL highlights. Jumping up a level in class, he had looked composed and classy. I think he developed quite a lot as the year went, said in that vid of him that he wasn't even in contention for being drafted at the start of the year. They are backing him to continue with that I suppose.

 

[Grrr]

Anyone here ran a 2km time trial?

6:50 ain’t that slow

He’s looking at a 10:30 for a 3km trial which used to be the old way of endurance testing.

Absolutely fine

He also averaged 25 disposals per game (or was that the NRT). That means he's getting from contest to contest.