‘Expansion club era levels’: Tigers secure enormous draft haul as Bolton, Rioli trades confirmed – and they’re not done yet
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On the last day of the AFL Trade Period, Bolton and Rioli, who had asked to be traded to Fremantle and Gold Coast, respectively, joined their new homes after Liam Baker left for West Coast.
In both transactions, the Tigers acquired a large number of first-round draft selections: Fremantle gave them picks 10, 11, and 18 in return for Bolton, a potential third-round pick, and the pick 14 they obtained via Baker’s trade to the Eagles.
Meanwhile, Rioli’s trade was perhaps even better, with the Tigers getting selections 6 and 23 in exchange for the reigning Jack Dyer Medallist, while also handing up a series of late picks to allow the Suns to amass draft points in order to match a bid for Academy gun Leo Lombard.
The Tigers lose three multiple-premiership heroes, three of their top six 2024 finishers, and another premiership player in Jack Graham as a result of the outcome. However, they also gain a significant haul of high choices from what has been hailed as the best draft class in years.
The Tigers now have picks 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, and 24, in addition to the pick 1 they were given after winning the wooden spoon after only two victories in 2024. This is enough to drastically restock their playing stock in anticipation of creating another dynasty akin to the one they had with three premierships from 2017 to 2020.
Callum Twomey, a draft expert and reporter for afl.com.au, compared the haul favourably to what the AFL gave Gold Coast and GWS in their early years of competition.
Notice the difference????
Following this trade period, the Tigers’ draft hand is arguably at “expansion club era” levels.
2010 Gold Coast selections: 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 13
GWS picks in 2011: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14
The 2024 Richmond picks are 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, and 24.
— October 15, 2024, Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey)
The transactions completely commit the Tigers to a long-term reconstruction, which could result in an awful 2025 season with an even younger roster than in 2024, given Bolton and Rioli had contracts with the team until 2028 and 2027, respectively.
Regarding Bolton’s trade, Tigers football general manager Blair Hartley said in a statement, “We fully understand Shai’s reasons for requesting a trade to Fremantle, but importantly needed to find a suitable trade that was of benefit to Richmond.”
“Ahead of the Draft next month, we are thrilled to have greatly improved our Draft hand.”
The Tigers may not be finished yet, either, as the Herald Sun reports that the team is interested in a deal with North Melbourne that would exchange two of its first-round picks for pick two in exchange for the Kangaroos.
Not all Tigers supporters, though, were as upbeat about the moves. Al Paton of the Herald Sun noted that losing Baker, Bolton, and Rioli all at once was a devastating blow regardless of the return.
Paton commented on X, “Richmond has one of the best draft hands of all time.”
“They only needed to lose their best player, their B&F champion, a fiercely courageous fan favourite who can play anywhere (very well), and an outstanding gut runner.”
“And come in last.
“Why don’t more people do it?”
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