Richmond Tigers Trade Situation for the Upcoming Season

Richmond Tigers are expected to be one of the most active clubs during the upcoming AFL trade period in October, with several key players likely to leave. Liam Baker and Shai Bolton are all but confirmed to return to their home state of Western Australia. While Baker is still weighing up offers from both the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers, Bolton is set to join Fremantle. Meanwhile, Daniel Rioli is planning to reunite with former Tigers coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast, and Jack Graham is considering a four-year contract, with offers coming from both the Eagles and the Tigers.

Richmond’s list manager Blair Hartley and newly-appointed recruiting manager Chris Toce have a busy few months ahead, as they navigate crucial negotiations before the November draft. With a wide array of talent spread across the draft pool, the Tigers are expected to make several top-end picks as part of a broader effort to reshape their list. Amidst the changes, the club has confirmed that premiership veteran Dion Prestia will remain with the Tigers for another year.

However, the team is also seeing some significant retirements, including Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes, Marlion Pickett, and Sam Naismith. Interestingly, Martin has reportedly reached out to the Gold Coast Suns about the possibility of playing for them in 2025, adding a surprising twist to his departure. In addition, several players, including Kamdyn McIntosh, Thomson Dow, Noah Cumberland, and Matt Coulthard, remain unsigned for 2025, with Cumberland and Coulthard particularly at risk of being moved on during the October trade period.

The off-season promises to be a critical time for Richmond, as they aim to rebuild and restructure their list, while also managing the exit of key players and welcoming new talent through the draft. With several top players on the move, the Tigers’ management will need to balance retaining valuable experience while making space for fresh talent in the coming months.