The AFL trade and free agency period has come to a close, with Richmond involved in several moves to bolster its list heading into 2027.
Below is everything you need to know about what the Tigers did in the busy player movement season.
Acquired Kieren Briggs in free agency
Richmond started the free agency period in a big way, signing 201cm ruckman Kieren Briggs to its AFL list on a four-year deal through to the end of the 2030 season.
The 26-year-old joined the Club as an unrestricted free agent following eight seasons and 88 games with GWS.
WHAT THEY SAID
“Kieren is an experienced AFL ruckman entering the prime of his career,” Richmond Executive General Manager, Football Talent, Blair Hartley, said.
“He enjoys the contested side of the game and brings a physical presence that allows him to compete against the best rucks in the competition. Kieren will add a lot to our ruck stocks, midfield and the way we use our key position players in general, while also strengthening our playing group with his professionalism and the way he goes about his football.
“He is highly driven to get the best out of himself and to help our Club continue to move forward. We are looking forward to the role he will play in the yellow and black.”
“I've met a lot of the boys already, and they all seem like super guys. I feel like the club's done a great job in developing them, and I feel like we haven't seen the best in a lot of them,” Briggs said.
“That's going to be exciting to see their development over another summer. Hopefully we can get a few more numbers on the track. I know that's been a teething issue, but I just want to come in and play my role and be picked for what I'm good at, and if I can help those kids grow and not just become better footballers but become better people, that'll be one of my aspirations.”
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Richmond welcomed hard-running Fremantle wingman Nathan O’Driscoll to the Swinburne Centre on a three-year contract through to the end of 2029.
O’Driscoll joined following a trade with the Dockers that saw the Tigers part ways with a fourth-round selection at this year’s Telstra AFL National Draft.
The 24-year-old O’Driscoll has played 55 AFL games after being selected with pick No. 27 overall at the 2020 National Draft.
WHAT THEY SAID
“Nathan has had a good taste of AFL football across his six years at Fremantle and is hungry to take his game to the next level. He played 17 games this season and plays the game the right way,” Richmond Executive General Manager, Football Talent, Blair Hartley said
“At 24, he will complement what we have on the list and bring a skill set that suits the way we want to play with his running power and ability to cover the ground at a high speed. He is a quality young man, and we are excited to see him playing on the MCG in the yellow and black next year."
“I'm hungry as because I got dropped for the [Grand Final], I didn't get traded for a heap, and I want to prove Richmond right,” O’Driscoll said.
“They've taken a punt on me and I'm going to be worth their time. I'm hungry to get success, not only for the Richmond fans and the Richmond people, but just for the boys as well. I want to win footy. I don't want to go there and for us to be uncompetitive. I'm ready to win."
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Richmond secured an additional top five pick in this year’s Telstra AFL Draft on the final day of the trade period.
The Tigers secured pick No. 5 overall from Port Adelaide, which was initially secured by the Power as compensation for the free agency departure of Zak Butters.
Richmond parted ways with its 2027 future first, second and fourth round picks, and selection No. 22 overall in this year’s draft to secure the prized pick.
In next year's draft, Tasmania will have picks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, and the first selection of each subsequent round next year, with picks No.5, 7, 11 and 13 – coming with the caveat of needing to be traded. The Devils have also already signed seven highly rated players from the 2027 draft pool and there is the potential for Academy players to also land in the early selections next year.
Richmond now holds selections 2, 5 and 44 at this year’s Telstra AFL Draft set to be held on November 19 and 20. The Club is also likely to receive a beginning of second round compensation pick, given new AFL rules introduced for the first time in 2026.
WHAT THEY SAID
“To have the opportunity to pick two players at the very front end of this year’s draft is exciting for us and gives us a chance to further bolster the talent on our list before Tasmania’s concessions take over next year,” Richmond Executive General Manager, Football Talent, Blair Hartley, said.
"The 2027 draft is set to be significantly compromised, so it made strategic sense for us to take this approach."
Departures
The Tigers parted ways with picks 22 and 63 in this year's draft, and its 2027 future first, second and fourth round picks during the trade period.
What's next?
The work doesn't stop for Richmond's list management team, with the AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period to run from Monday, November 2 at 9.00am AEDT to Friday, November 6 at 5.00pm AEDT.
Excitement is also building towards the AFL Draft, which will take place across two nights on Thursday, November 19, and Friday, November 20.
The Tigers currently hold picks 2, 5 and 44 in the national draft. Teams can continue to trade picks right until draft night, with pick trading also an option on draft night.
The rookie draft will be staged on Monday, November 23 at 3pm AEDT.
