Speaking on SEN 1116 on Wednesday morning, Tigers general manager of football Dan Richardson said the focus on the draft explains why the club was quiet during the trade period and only added former Geelong midfielder Taylor Hunt as a delisted free agent on the weekend.
"It (the draft) is a clear priority for us," Richardson said.
But the thinking at Punt Road has always been that with stars such as Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield and Greater Western Sydney's Jeremy Cameron out of contract at the end of next season the Tigers want to be in a position to lure these players to their club.
"Like all clubs, we are looking to have salary cap room to do what we need to improve our list," he said.
"It is fair to say we're setting ourselves up from that point of time."
Richardson said the decision to offer Hunt just a one-year contract was determined from a list management perspective rather than concerns over his fitness.
"From that point of view we hope here's here for longer.
"Our medical staff checked him out thoroughly and he is sound. There are no problems with his groin."
Richardson wouldn't estimate how many games Hunt, 24, would play for Richmond next year, but said he offered run and carry to the Tigers as well as an ability to play a shutdown role through the midfield.
"He just has to get into the club, become part of it, put his head down and do the work."
