Richmond urged not to chase in-demand out of contract midfielder

Jordan Lewis has urged Richmond not to chase out of contract midfielder Adam Cerra and instead hold onto their multiple first round draft picks.

The Tigers are in grave danger of missing the finals this season, following successive losses to St Kilda and Gold Coast, leading to questions about how they might position themselves during the off-season to make another run at a premiership in 2022.

Damien Hardwick’s side will have access to two first rounder draft picks at the end of the season, with one tied to Geelong’s finishing position.

With Cerra – who still hasn’t re-signed at Fremantle – remaining a target for several Victorian clubs, Lewis said Richmond shouldn’t give up several top picks and salary cap space to chase the silky midfielder.

“I’d be staggered if they gave up their top picks in the draft,” he said on AFL Nation.

“I don’t think you need trade out players (and picks) out to get an Adam Cerra in, the draft pick that you might pick might be just as good but you don’t need to pay the money you’ll have to pay Cerra to come in.

“If there's a Kossie Pickett or Luke Jackson in this draft that can come in and have an impact…that’s the decision they’ll have to make at the end of the year.

“I certainly don’t think their successful period is done and dusted and don’t think it’s a bad thing if they miss finals this year, (it would) create a little bit of hunger and (they would) get a chunk of time off to see other teams playing finals when they should be playing.”