ANY CLUBS thinking star Tigers Dustin Martin and Brett Deledio will be 'gettable' in next year's free agency period, if not before, are destined for disappointment.
Martin and Deledio are two of the biggest names on a preliminary list of 2017's free agents compiled by AFL.com.au.
Who's on the table? 2017's free agency contenders
Their potential availability in next year's free agency period comes amid Richmond's disastrous 1-6 start to the 2016 season.
After being widely hailed as a top-four contender before the home and away season, Richmond is now being urged by some commentators to trade Deledio, Martin or one of its other stars, so it can regenerate a player list that's heavy on recycled players nearing their use-by dates.
But if rival clubs think the Tigers' rude reality check over the opening seven rounds will prompt them to consider testing Martin's or Deledio's market worth, they're mistaken.
AFL.com.au understands Richmond has no intention of parting with either of the star duo.
Not via a trade a year out from free agency – as Carlton did with Chris Yarran last year.
Nor for a juicy free agency compensation pick – both Martin and Deledio would almost certainly earn Richmond a first-round pick – a year later.
The Tigers take this stance confident that their list is in far better shape than the doomsayers suggest.
The club's football manager, Dan Richardson, acknowledged last week that Richmond was "paying the price" for its initial focus on mature-age recruits after Damien Hardwick took over as coach at the end of 2009, saying the Tigers had always known such players would not get them to "the next level".
Tigers 'paying the price' for recruiting strategy
"We certainly knew that to go to the next level, we needed to get some young talent into the club and we've done that with our list over the last few years and ultimately hopefully (we can) top up with some other A-grade talent," Richardson told Melbourne radio station SEN.
The Tigers believe they can reach that next level while Deledio (29), Jack Riewoldt (27), Trent Cotchin (26), Alex Rance (26) and Martin (25 next month) are still at or near their best.
The outstanding form of veterans such as Nick Riewoldt, 33, and Jarrad Waite, 33, this season suggests that two-time All Australian Deledio could still have another four or five years of good footy in him – provided, of course, he can get on top of the calf and Achilles tendon issues he's had to manage in recent seasons.
As such, the Tigers are far more likely to be eyeing prospective targets on the 2017 free agency list than giving them away.
Brett Deledio has battled soft-tissue injuries over the past two seasons. Picture: AFL Media
