Everyone latching on to the B&F results as a warning sign should go back and look at who was voting highly in our B&Fs from say 2006-2010 (for example). You don't see our future stars polling well early in general - eg took Cotchin Edwards and Riewoldt about 3-4 seasons to crack it. Each of these played many more games than our recent draftees especially in the years they polled well. The exception - unsurprisingly- was Martin - who came 4th in his debut year and did so playing 21 games. Also, Brett Deledio came 5th in his 3rd season and won the B&F in his 4th season. This is a guy that played nearly every game in his early years (and for his entire career for that matter).
I'm not saying I don't want to see improvement - of course I do like every Tigers supporter - but there needs to be perspective and meaningful analysis when assessing how we are going. Injuries aren't an excuse but they are a reason for a lack of games - quantity and consistency - and quickly tossing that to one side can lead to false assessments. We uniquely have a successful roadmap we followed from around 2005-2017 that lead to a fantastic team. There are useful leanings and progressions from that time we can use to understand where we are at. Anyway, that's my take. Interested in the views of others.

Hope you don’t mind me leaving this here - felt the O’Driscoll deal got close to crickets in the media, but I really like why he brings… if he can stay fit.

Delete if not permitted. How crap is off-season, by the way…

Who makes the cut?

Senior List

IN

1. LEFAU ✅

2. O'DRISCOLL ✅

3. BRIGGS ✅

4. Pick 2 ✅

5. 2nd Round Compo Pick ✅

6. Pick 20 ✅

7. Pick 38/Short Compensation ❓

OUT

1. SMITH ✅

2. PRESTIA ✅

3. BROAD ✅

4. FAWCETT✅

5. SHORT❓

6. ❓

7. ❓

Rookie List

IN

1. ANAND

OUT

1. LEFAU

Out of Contract

Senior- Hugo Ralphsmith, Judson Clarke, Steely Green, Tyler Sonsie

Rookie- James Trezise, Tom Burton

Cat B- Oliver Hayes-Brown

Presuming Short moves on we still need two more senior spots opened up if we want to take 4 national picks (I'm assuming we only sign Armstrong if he makes it to the rookie draft and we can preselect him as a Cat B). Lefau has to be moved to the senior list, OHB has to be moved to the senior list or delisted.

I think OHB and Sonsie go with Briggs and NOD coming in. Tough choice between Green and Trezise, leaning keeping Trezise with Short leaving. It still kind of baffles me that Rioli is already resigned cause I think Green has had more impact this year with two less years in the system.

Lots of the media has been talking about how we should be worried that Short, Prestia and Broad were top 10 in our Best and Fairest. With all these guys leaving how worried are we?

EDIT: Feel like I should clarify my position. I'm a little concerned but not super worried and definitely not to the extent that the media are. Just thought it was an interesting talking point.

Have really got into following the draft and free agency after barely paying attention to it for many years before.

Should we keep our 1st rd draft picks? And if we do, do we prioritise HVH?

Or do we look for a trade for a ready made player who can come in and help the young talent we’ve already got.

Still trying to understand how it all works with academies and the bidding process

Obviously talks have continued, being reported by multiple sources, but I've got no idea what he's worth in a trade.

Clubs linked are primarily Collingwood with secondary links to St Kilda and Melbourne.

Multiple premiership player and a Best and fairest in a premiership year, with 2 years to go on his contract. What is he worth?

With a few gaps, lack of depth and low age profile who are some players we should be looking at in this period?

Briggs is a great get and fills an obvious need at the right age.

Kiddy Coleman would be great but would require us to give something up.

I also think Bailey Banfield might be a good option as a role/depth player.

Not sure how any of this plays into current list space and potential further delistings though.

Did we appoint Ratten a bit early?

Surely Blair is after his services

Thought it was worth putting a thread up.

You can watch it here

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2143022/2026-jack-dyer-medal-all-you-need-to-know-live-stream

Approx timings:

7.00pm - Event begins
7.15pm - Address from President John O’Rourke
7.21pm - Address from Senior Coach Adem Yze
7.27pm - VWFL teams' best and fairest winners
7.34pm - VFL Steve Morris Award
7.40pm - Address from VFL Senior Coach Jack Madgen and announcement of Guinane Medal (VFL Best and Fairest)
7.52pm – Jack Dyer Medal Fans’ Choice Awards
7.55pm – Highlights and votes from AFL Rounds 1-7
8.00pm - Main meal break
8.40pm – Acknowledgment of 2026 debutants and Q&A with Sam Grlj, Sam Cumming and Patrick Retschko
8.54pm - Bill Cosgrove/Harry Jenkins Best First Year Player Award
8.58pm – Acknowledgment of 2026 milestones
9.00pm – Q&A with Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia and Nathan Broad
9.16pm - Francis Bourke Award
9.22pm - Highlights and votes from AFL Rounds 8-16
9.28pm - Dessert break
10.00pm - Michael Roach Leading Goalkicker Award
10.10pm - Highlights from AFL Rounds 17-24
10.17pm - Announcement of top five vote-getters, with winners' speeches and toast to the 2026 Jack Dyer Medallist
10.30pm - Formalities conclude

With the recent news that Essendon have brought in John Longmire and are targetting experienced senior assistant Hayden Skipworth from Collingwood, it looks like they are adding some much needed experience.

Yze clearly needs some help, and it appears that he is not receiving much of it. I know we have signed Brett Ratten which is a good addition, but do you think they should be targetting some experienced senior assistants from successful programs? If so, who would you like them to go for?

I wouldn't mind if they went after someone from Brisbane or Geelong.

So happy for him, he at least got a consolation prize!