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!
5Bailey Humphrey
He's probably more of a luxury than a piece pivotal to propelling a rebuild, but Bailey Humphrey is a player made for the big stage.
With his ability to impact in the centre square or forward line, and the budding tattoo collection, Humphrey has drawn obvious, albeit premature comparisons to Richmond's favourite son, in Dustin Martin.
Put this contracted Sun in front of big crowds and let him go to work. An instinctual footballer with the match-winning gene, Humphrey oozes the x-factor this side needs. The combination he could hypothetically form with Sam Lalor, who's shown significant promise himself, should send Tiger tails a-wagging.
Humphrey was pushed out of the on-ball brigade by Christian Petracca's arrival, and despite a contract tying him to the club until the end of 2028, has pined for the exits, with clubs in his native Victoria in the box seat to procure the wantaway talent.
The Suns would understandably want to maximise their return for the sixth pick of the 2022 National Draft, and few, if any, can match the haul at the Tigers' disposal.
