Richmond coach Adem Yze has conceded the Tigers would weigh up selecting VFL gun Tom McCarthy at next week's Mid-Season Draft if the club had a list spot free to do so.
McCarthy headlines a strong crop of talent coming out of Richmond's reserves this year that will garner AFL interest come Wednesday's intake, with the Tigers' VFL program already having a strong history of producing AFL-quality talent.
Most recently, reigning Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner Sam Davidson was drafted to the Western Bulldogs last November after a stellar first year at Punt Road, being among the short handful of mature-aged names to be taken in the 2024 National Draft.
The Mid-Season Draft has seen Essendon midfielder Sam Durham, Hawthorn wingman Massimo D'Ambrosio and Richmond's own James Trezise picked up out of the Tigers' state league system.
Others to take the step up to the AFL from Richmond's VFL include Tigers duo Mykelti Lefau and Tylar Young, while Geelong's Shaun Mannagh and Gold Coast's Ben Jepson also spent time with the Tigers before making a name for themselves in the VFL.
McCarthy is the latest Tiger likely to land on an AFL list after a strong campaign in the yellow and black, with the 24-year-old a silky and composed user of the ball out of Jake Batchelor's back half.
The Dingley-tied backman is averaging 22.6 disposals, 4.1 marks, 3.3 tackles and 3.0 rebound 50s per game in 2025, with his run and kicking game exciting onlookers.
The Tigers don't currently have a list spot open for the Mid-Season Draft, with less than a week to go, with a retirement or long-term injury the only avenues to creating a vacancy.
Speaking on McCarthy's journey, Yze said the Tigers will be rapt for the young defender no matter the outcome of Wednesday night.
"That's what our program's about, that's what you want," the senior coach said.
"You want to bring kids in that have missed an opportunity, hope that they develop in our building, and then get an opportunity at AFL level.
"I think if we had a position on our list, he would be one of those guys we would look at. But in saying that, if he then goes on to go and play like Sammy Davidson is, and we're playing against Sam Durham this weekend, he was a Richmond VFL product, we're proud of that."
"We're proud that we can develop players that go on to play and fulfil their dreams. And if that does happen for him, we'll wrap our arms around him and send him off to whatever team he goes to. We will be really proud of that."
Richmond's VFL could also see several others join McCarthy in being selected at the Mid-Season Draft, with small forward Massimo Raso, utility Sam Toner, and defender Mutaz El Nour to have fetched interest.
Raso could join McCarthy in being among the first prospects picked up, while Toner has shown his value as a wing-forward hybrid over the past 12 months across the VFL, Coates Talent League and grassroots levels.
El Nour has long been linked to a potential AFL promotion, having been among the competition's most exciting young defenders since his breakout year with the Northern Bullants in 2022.
The Mid-Season Draft will take place on Wednesday night, with Craft of the Draft to stream the event live on Zero Hanger's YouTube channel.
