Pike looks the most likely and will only get better. Finds plenty of the ball and can take a mark. Wouldnt look out of place as the 3rd Dekoning brother
RICHMOND
Available list spots prior to Round 11: 3
As an unfortunate result of ACL injuries to Josh Gibcus, Judson Clarke and most recently Sam Naismith, the Tigers could make as many as three selections next Wednesday.
Richmond presently holds picks 2, 17 and 24. A Dreamtime at the ‘G loss to Essendon and a North Melbourne win over Port Adelaide in Hobart would net the Tigers the first overall choice at next Wednesday’s proceedings.
Players considered to be at the top of the draft pool include Tasmania’s
Geordie Payne, Collingwood VFL’s
Jack Hutchinson and West Perth’s
Jasper Scaife. But the Tigers will surely assess the key-position markets.
They’ve been linked to 196cm Peel Thunder defender
Jacob Blight, who’s had an excellent WAFL league season and recently starred for his state against South Australia.
Could they look at 200cm forward-ruck
Toby Murray? He’s shown glimpses as a forward, as well as back-up ruck ability, for Adelaide’s SANFL side this year.
The Tigers could also look at ex-Power ruck
Brynn Teakle, or could look to bring in
Joe Pike in more of a development selection. Pike (203cm, 19 years old) has been one of the Coates Talent League’s most impressive rucks so far this season, booting 3.3 and averaging 15.2 disposals, 3.8 tackles, 3.4 marks and 24.4 hit-outs from five games.
Richmond VFL defender
Mutaz El Nour loomed as a name to watch next Wednesday, with the VFL Tigers pumping out plenty of AFL-level talent in recent years with Hawthorn’s Massimo D’Ambrosio and Essendon’s Sam Durham plucked from Richmond’s reserves. But El Nour recently suffered a shoulder injury that will likely sideline him for a couple of months — and considering the Tigers’ current injury crisis, it’s unlikely they’ll turn to him.