Richmond are set to add to their haul of six first-round selections from last year with a further two top five picks at this year's AFL Draft.
A 2024 trade that has paid off for the Tigers has given them a stellar position in this year's draft standings, where they'll have successive selections toward the top of the board.
They'll add to their draft haul on night two with at least one more pick, while a father-son talent will also be in mind as part of their plans.
After a busy suite of additions last year that have begun to bear fruit, here's who Richmond could draft in 2025.
Draft Hand
Picks: 3, 4, 38 (4417 Points)
A trade that saw the Tigers move a 2024 first-round pick and this year's second-round selection to North Melbourne netted them the Kangaroos' opening spot in the draft queue for this year at Pick 4.
That selection, as well as Richmond's own Pick 3, will likely shuffle back a couple of spots due to the anticipated bids among the opening few selections, some of which may come from the Tigers themselves.
Nevertheless, they'll get access to two of the premier prospects from the open pool, and will have a strong idea of who they'll be adding to what is already a promising list at Punt Road.
Their later selection at Pick 38 is likely to be available to them prior to a bid on father-son prospect Louis Kellaway late into night two of the count.
List Needs
Best Available: Holding two top five selections leaves the Tigers with great flexibility, but at that point of the draft, and this early into a rebuild, opting for the top talent on offer is often the go. The double of selections will lend them to have some flexibility if they are weighing up a range of players with their second selection, and they could differ the type of player they secure with that pick given the flexibility. Richmond added to a range of positions via the first round of last year's draft, leaving them with few glaring list needs.
Line-Breaker: If there is one area the Tigers would like to strengthen, it'd be their outside run and dash, whether that be on the wing or flank at either end of the field. Their draft haul last year landed them some inside ball winners, attacking options - both tall and small - and a key defender, leaving some weight to the thought of finding a speedy runner who can break lines with his run or kicking in 2025.
Defensive Clamp: Richmond's rearguard for the future has begun to take shape, with Noah Balta and Jayden Short in line to lead a lesser experienced cohort of cubs in the form of Josh Gibcus, Sam Banks, Campbell Gray, Luke Trainor and Tom Brown in the next half-decade. What that group perhaps lacks is a medium-sized option who can go toe-to-toe with the game's best small forwards - an accountable defender who will alleviate the defensive pressure on the side's more attacking backmen.
Potential Targets
Sullivan Robey: A name closely linked to the Tigers toward the top of the draft board, however Robey could be picked by West Coast before Richmond get their chance. A powerful forward-midfield hybrid, the Eastern Ranges bolter would nicely complement the likes of Sam Lalor as an asset who would mostly be positioned forward before rotating through the middle, often leading to one of Robey or Lalor being used in each third of the field at any given point. With size, power and X-factor on his side, Robey could quickly become the face of Tigerland.
| 4 RANK |  | Sullivan Robey Eastern Ranges Forward/Midfielder HEIGHT: 192cm | â–¶+ |
Sam Grlj: Among several names who might be in the mix for Richmond's second selection, the Oakleigh Chargers speed machine has risen through the ranks this year to be viewed as a potential top five pick. Grlj would be a fitting addition to the current ensemble of Richmond's young midfield pack, offering some run and burst through the centre as either a centre bounce addition or on the wing. Grlj could also start his career across half-back before being deployed in the middle of the field.
| 10 RANK |  | Sam Grlj Oakleigh Chargers Midfielder HEIGHT: 182cm | â–¶+ |
Louis Kellaway: The son of 180-gamer Duncan Kellaway, Louis is one of South Australia's most promising prospects for 2025. Across his commitments with SA's U18s and Sturt, the Tigers-tied talent played across all three lines of the field and impressed in each new role. His duties at the U18s National Championships, where the Croweaters went undefeated, saw him used across half-back, extending his range of positions. For Sturt, whose U18s side went on to win the premiership, Kellaway put up starring performances in midfield, adding to a junior career that also saw him used forward for the Double Blues.
