WE MIGHT call it the Richmond philosophy.
Last year the Tigers used the rookie draft to add maturity to their list by recruiting three AFL-experienced players – Ricky Petterd, Orren Stephenson and Sam Lonergan.
By the end of the season, Stephenson remained on the rookie list, Petterd won a senior position and Lonergan had retired.
The plan made sense: it cost less, and didn't clog up any senior positions. It was worth a shot, so much so that the Tigers did the same again on Wednesday, with Todd Banfield, Anthony Miles and Matt Thomas continuing their AFL careers at Punt Road through the rookie draft.
Such was the Tigers' view of this year's draft pool, they will go into next year with a shorter senior list than most clubs (39 players). Their pick 12 at the NAB AFL Draft – Ben Lennon – was the only one of the club's six new additions who wasn't mature-age.
Richmond's view might not be entirely in line with other clubs, but it does paint a picture of what the rookie draft has gradually morphed into.
In the past it was an opportunity for those overlooked in the national intake with a specific question or query to be picked then spend a couple of seasons working away at them.
That has changed a little, with it seen largely as an insurance policy, allowing clubs to find players who can have immediate impacts.
For most, the risk of a slow, stocky or developing player has been overtaken by the reliability of a mature, strong-bodied, fill-a-hole prospect.
Drafting does, after all, require a quicker turnaround in performance than has been the case before: the first 19 picks of the 2012 NAB AFL Draft all debuted in 2013. It is drummed into draftees every year that they need to be ready to go once they land at AFL clubs.
Clubs weren't hugely invested in the 2013 draft crop. They took the lowest amount of draft picks (62) last week, and then chose to fill their list with 23 rookie upgrades instead of blooding fresh players.
After only one player was taken – Jed Lamb to the Giants – the rookie draft comprised 54 new picks. This was the breakdown: 14 had already been on AFL lists, another nine were international prospects or category B rookies, and four players were tied to clubs through academy selections.
Seven came from state leagues. Essendon's two picks (Fraser Thurlow and Patrick Ambrose) on Wednesday are 20 and 22 respectively and fill places as key talls, the Brisbane Lions picked Zac O'Brien to add some years to their very young group, and Port brought in hardened midfielder Sam Gray.
Only 20 players, aside from the zoned picks, were drafted from the under-18 system.
Those who did get a go were worthy of the chance. James Harmes was a strong hope to be drafted last week as was Eli Templeton, while Will Maginness works hard, leads well and will give his all for the Eagles. Having been overlooked at the national draft, AIS-AFL Academy players Luke Reynolds, Dallas Willsmore, Nick Bourke and Alex Spina got their shot.
Spina was one of four to head to Adelaide, including Jake Kelly, who could have joined Collingwood under the father-son rule but was overlooked.
History might reflect that the top end of this year's draft is as good as any, particularly if Jack Martin and Jesse Hogan were not off-limits via the mini-draft. But clubs were not as confident that the talent lasted as long as other years, so did not want to commit to late selections in the draft or rookie meet.
That's where planning ahead comes in. After the mid-year under-18 championships, one club said all its focus was on how its list was would look in 2015.
That meant while it was looking at the 2013 draft, it was preparing to take a certain amount of picks so that it could use more in 2014 at a draft that, at this stage, looks to be significantly deeper.
That club wasn't alone on that front. Next year's draft has recruiters enthused, on a number of levels.
Scouts from about 10 clubs gathered in Southport last weekend to watch the 2013/14 AIS-AFL Academy squads test and were excited at what they saw: next year's crop is tall, athletic, can run, and are a lively bunch of personalities.
Prospective early choice Peter Wright, a 202cm ruckman/forward from the Calder Cannons, ran a 14.4 beep test and Tom Lamb, at 191cm, went better to break level 15.
Sam Durdin can run and jump, Patrick McCartin leads until he has the ball in his hands, Jake Lever attacks the contest, and Hugh Goddard is a competitor. And that's just a handful of the prospects standing above 190cm.
Under that range, Clem Smith is ready to play and hits the ball at pace, Jarrod Pickett has plenty of speed, Lachie Weller is a classy mover, and Jaden McGrath zags through traffic.
Next year might be the time to load up on draft picks.
Pre-season & Rookie Draft
