2008 AFL Draft Review - Richmond Tigers

Richmond was one of the minor players at the 2008 National Draft with just the three picks - 8, 26 and 58. All the focus on the Tigers drafting has obviously focused on Ben Cousins and his arrival at Tigerland, however this has somewhat overshadowed the fact that they picked up two very promising talls and took a chance on a misguided youngster. Let’s delve a bit deeper.

Pick No. 8 - Tyrone Vickery

Mooted to go as high as pick 4 to Port Adelaide in pre-draft discussions, it turned out that Vickery to Richmond at number 8 became one of the surer bets of the draft. All-Australian in the U18 National Championships, Vickery is a strong key-position forward who is also capable of moving into the ruck. He is a smart footballer with good skills, a very strong mark, and a hunger both for the game and to improve himself.

The only query hanging over Vickery’s head is a murmur about knee troubles - he did have a reconstruction back in 2007. Early signs though at his new club are good and many predict him to play some senior footy in 2009. The Tigers should get a long successful career out of Vickery.

Pick No. 26 – Jayden Post

 

 
An absolute marking machine, Post is a key position player who is capable of playing both forward and back - although many think down back may be his go in the big league. He won the Best & Fairest for the Jets last year, and dominated the TAC Cup final with 35 touches and 15 marks. He has decent pace for a big man and reads the game quite well. His stocks really rose late in the year, and the Tigers are very excited to get his size and versatility at pick 26.

Pick No. 58 – Tom Hislop

The Tigers took a flyer on delisted Bomber Tom Hislop at pick 58. Hislop was taken at pick 20 in 2006 by Essendon and played 7 games over the past 2 years. After being unable to come to terms on a new contract, Essendon decided to let him go, citing discipline problems as a factor in cutting him loose. Hislop had shown in his injury-plagued career so far that he has talent and is hard at the ball, so maybe a new club might be the wake-up call he needs to get his career back on track.

Richmond stated they liked him a lot in the ‘06 draft, so at 58, he does appear to be a risk worth taking. Time will tell.

Richmond Tigers Recruiting Manager Francis Jackson had the following to say after the Draft:

“We were going to take Bart McCulloch but (the Brisbane Lions) pipped us before then. Other than that, everything else went according to plan for us. We’ve strengthened the areas that we needed to strengthen.”

With just 3 picks, the Tigers strengthened up their big man stocks to compliment their exciting young midfield brigade for years to come, as well as acquiring a tough inside player that just might be worth the risk. Quality, not quantity is a phrase that could well be used to describe their efficient showing at this year’s draft, and they look to have one of the more promising young lists in the competition. If Ben Cousins can bring a winner’s attitude to the club, they may just be the team on the up and up this season.

Got any thoughts on the Tigers’ limited involvement at the Draft? Are you expecting big things from Vickery? Leave us a comment.