The key talls Richmond will ponder and the “draft bolter” the Tigers might target

There will be plenty to ponder for Richmond ahead of the 2024 AFL Draft.

The Tigers still need to get through the trade period, but if everything that is being reported with Liam Baker, Shai Bolton, Dan Rioli actually happens, the club could end up with as many as eight picks inside the top 25.

With that comes massive decisions for what many believe could be one of the strongest draft pools we’ve seen.

AFL Talent Ambassador and draft guru Kevin ‘Shifter’ Sheehan is aware that the Tigers have plenty of options with midfielders aplenty expected to make up the top echelon of next month’s draft.

The likes of Jagga Smith, Harvey Langford, Finn O’Sullivan, Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie are just some of the names being linked with the Tigers after father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft lands at the Brisbane Lions with a bid-upon Pick 1.

Away from the group of mids, the Tigers might need to look at some key position players as to balance out their handsome draft haul and Sheehan has speculated on a few at the pointy end.

“Let’s say you’ve got five picks, what sort of balance do you go for? You’re not going to pick five midfielders,” Sheehan said on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.

“You look at the best of the key forwards and the key defenders. Maybe you split it with three midfield types because you’ve got to get some goals as well.

“A couple of tall forward names have been thrown in the ring. There’s a kid called Harry Armstrong, a big left-footer at 195cm, and a kid called Jobe Shanahan.

“They might be the two tall forwards that could go very early. Both All-Australians this year. I like that because rather than pure potential you’ve got performance on the board. Maybe they take one of those boys as a key forward.

“Then you toss up all the midfielders. They’ve had Jagga Smith play in their VFL side where he’s dominated a couple of games. He’s been under their noses.”

Armstrong starred for both the Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League and Vic Metro in the National Championships throughout the 2024 season.

He is seen as a potential top 10 pick.

Bendigo Pioneers forward Shananan played for Allies in the National Championships while also spending time with Essendon’s VFL team.

Sheehan also forecast a draft bolter who has been right under the noses of the Tigers in 2024.

Sam Davidson won the VFL’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the competition’s most promising young talent for players aged 24 or under.

“There’s also a draft bolter called Sam Davidson who has also been under their noses,” Sheehan said of Davidson.

“He played in their VFL side all year, he tested the house down a week ago (at the Draft Combine) with speed and endurance

“He won the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the most promising player in the VFL. It’s had some good winners in recent years like Luke Ryan, Bayley Fritsch, Nic Newman, Sam Clohesy, Michael Barlow a few years back.

“He does look a player for mine. He had a fantastic year with Richmond at VFL level. He kicked six (goals) in a game and had 20-odd for the year as a hard-working, lead-up type forward at 190cm.

“He’s a young Tiger at 22 years of age who might well get a chance a bit later in the draft.

“Lots to ponder there for Tiger fans.”

Davidson, 21, plays as a high forward and can also operate on the wing. He averaged 14 disposals and kicked 26 goals in the VFL this season.

The Tigers currently hold Picks 1, 20, 24, 51, 61, 70 and 76, but those early numbers could balloon if the trades of Bolton, Baker and Rioli get done.