There was a universally acknowledged grace period afforded Adem Yze when he took control of a footy club in free fall.
The Tigers had accepted their fate. The faithful were content - how could they not be after three flags in four years? But more than that, they understood some lean years were in front of them.
Richmond had embarked upon a period of transition. The head coach, the CEO and the overwhelming bulk of the playing list that had featured in such a fairytale period for the yellow and black were now just faces in framed photos that Yze infamously sought to pull from the walls early in his reign, that the club may point their focus forward.
That grace period is approaching its natural conclusion, and Yze's win-loss ledger needs semi-urgent squaring.
The club's draft focus was a necessary one, and its hauls, historic. As yet, glimpses are all fans have seen of the princes that were promised, as most of the clubs's cubs are perpetually hampered by injuries of varying significance.
SEE MORE: Five trade targets for the Essendon Bombers
The kids will be a large part of the pitch put to trade targets as the club get busy courting some of the league's brightest names, with the next phase of the rebuild on the horizon.
But just who are some of the names the Tigers have been tied to, and who are some realistic targets that will meaningfully lift this side's ceiling?
Take a look!
4Darcy Wilson
Where there's smoke there's fire, and plenty of smoke surround St Kilda's young running machine, Darcy Wilson.
The Saints would understandably hate to lose their third-year wingman, but he's still yet to re-sign, and driving up his price tag almost weekly. Since his side's Round 5 rendezvous with Port Adelaide, the Murray Bushrangers product has dipped below 20 disposals just once, while notching eleven majors from those nine outings. It's telling form for a third-year player, especially one habitually deployed in a role not known for being one where players garner plenty of the pill, or regularly impact the scoreboard.
If the Tigers can convince the 20-year-old to depart Moorabbin for the hustle and bustle of their Yarra Park digs, and it remains a big if, the Tigers have plenty to offer a St Kilda outfit that would be eager to maximise whatever return they'd be forced into begrudgingly accepting, lest he leave for nothing.
