In the wake of the AFL’s 2015 draft period, Tony Greenberg serves up some tasty Tiger tidbits . . .

Richmond’s recent intake of draftees, were standouts at the Draft Combine held post-season.
The Tigers’ first pick in the National Draft, Daniel Rioli, dominated proceedings, finishing first in the 30-metre repeat sprints category (with a time of 24.15), equal-third in the 20-metre sprint (2.89 seconds), equal fourth in the clean hands test (score of 27), equal fifth in the Relative vertical jump (69cm) and equal sixth in the 3-km time trial (10.09).
Their second National Draft selection, Oleg Markov, finished equal first in the goalkicking test (a score of 30 out of 30), third in the 30-metre repeat sprints (24.32), equal fifth in the Relative vertical jump (69cm), seventh in Agility (8.23), and equal 10th in the Shuttle run (14.8).
Nathan Broad, who was Richmond’s third pick in the National Draft, tested at the WA State Combine, winning the repeat sprints category.
The Tigers’ first pick in the rookie draft, Callum Moore, was equal fifth in the Absolute running vertical jump (340cm), equal sixth in the 20-metre sprint (2.91), equal eighth in the Relative running vertical jump (86cm) and ninth in the Absolute standing vertical jump (319cm).
Mabior Chol, who was the Club’s second selection in the rookie draft, finished first in the Absolute standing vertical jump (334cm), second in the Absolute running vertical jump (357cm), second in the 30-metre repeat sprints (24.30) and equal fourth in the Relative running vertical jump (90cm).
Given those results, it’s fair to say that Richmond has addressed the need for speed, endurance, agility and a bit of X-factor through its drafting this year.

The arrival at Richmond of former VFL star Adam Marcon, via last week’s AFL rookie draft, means the Tigers have nearly a quarter of their current playing list that were initially involved at TAC Cup under-18s level with the Northern Knights.
Marcon, now 23, played for the Knights under the coaching guidance of dual North Melbourne premiership coach Dens Pagan and he won their best and fairest in 2010.
He joins Trent Cotchin, Dylan Grimes, Nick Vlastuin, Ben Lennon, Kane Lambert, Jason Castagna, Reece McKenzie, Jayden Short and Ivan Soldo, bringing to 10 the number of Northern Knights who have made the transition to Tigerland.

There could be another Northern Knights’ player on Richmond’s list in the not-too-distant future . . .
The Tigers are closely monitoring the progress of talented father-son prospect Patrick Naish – and they like what they’ve seen so far from him.
Patrick is the son of Chris Naish, who played 143 games for Richmond from 1990-97.
He was recently awarded an AFL Academy scholarship following his impressive performances for Vic Metro at this year’s under-16 national championships.
Young ‘Naishy’ likewise shone throughout the 2015 season at under-16s level with the Northern Knights.

There’s also a strong Richmond connection with WAFL club Swan Districts these days . . .
The Tigers gained the services of two ex-Swan Districts players among their off-season recruiting additions.
They secured a trade from Carlton for silky-skilled speedster Chris Yarran, who spent several seasons at Swan Districts, until being drafted into the AFL.
And, they subsequently selected hard-running defender Nathan Broad, with their third pick in last week’s National Draft. Broad had been at Swan Districts for a total of five years.
Yarran and Broad join Alex Rance, who worked his way through the ranks at Swan Districts before the Tigers swooped on him in the 2007 National Draft.

The changing face of AFL football is reflected in the first names of three of Richmond’s recruits from last week’s national and rookie drafts . . .
Oleg (Markov), Mabior (Chol) and Callum (Moore) give Tigerland a vastly different look to a few decades ago when first names such as Kevin (Bartlett, Sheedy), Roger (Dean), Fred (Swift) , Neville (Crowe), Geoff (Strang, Raines), Graeme (Burgin, Bond), Billy (Barrot, Brown), Mike (Green, Perry), John (Ronaldson), Eric (Moore, Leech) and Ian (Owen) were all the go.

Daniel Rioli will wear the No. 17 guernsey at Richmond, just like another renowned St Patrick’s College, Ballarat pupil of yesteryear . . .
Triple Tiger premiership player Barry Richardson proudly wore the No. 17 in 125 games from 1965-74.
Richardson, who also coached Richmond for two seasons (1977-78), and was president for a year (1985), is the father of the Club’s current General Manager of Football Dan Richardson.

Richmond doubled the number of Indigenous players on its senior list during the off-season . . .
The Tigers added Chris Yarran via the trade period and then drafted Daniel Rioli, to add to Nathan Drummond and Shane Edwards.