“Draft the need. Draft the weapon. Draft the Tiger.”
The Coates Talent League season is done and dusted. The boots are off, the stats are in, and now it’s all about interviews, whiteboards, and big decisions. The draft picture will shift again after the combine, but from what I’ve seen, there are two names who should be inked in bold on Richmond’s draft board right now.
Sam Grlj and Sullivan Robey.
I've watched this crop closely all year — and harder during finals — and to me, these two are the clearest upgrades to what our Tigers need most.
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🐯 SAM GRLJ – THE MIDFIELD JET WE’VE BEEN SCREAMING FOR
I’ve been on Grlj all season. Anyone who's followed this page knows that. There’s no one in the pool who attacks the ball harder, runs quicker, or plays with more edge than Sam Grlj.
He’s lightning fast, with that Max Holmes-type ability to break lines, open up space, and leave opponents grasping at thin air. Holmes, of course, is the one we handed to Geelong in 2020. Richmond was involved in his draft year, and Geelong traded their future 2021 first-round pick to Richmond for Geelong's 2020 first-round pick, which they used to select Holmes with pick No. 20 in the 2020 AFL draft. This trade essentially allowed Geelong to acquire Holmes from Richmond. We can’t afford another miss like that.
Grlj must be a Tiger. Non-negotiable.
He's got the blend we’ve lacked for years: aggression, acceleration, and damaging ball use. He might not be your 35-disposal accumulator, but he changes the speed of the game with every touch. Richmond's midfield is crying out for this kind of explosive burst.
We all saw the lack of burst in our centre bounce mix this year. Grlj gives us the sparkplug, the breakaway threat, the game-shifter.
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🐯 SULLIVAN ROBEY – THE FINALS BOLTER WITH THE TIGER DNA
Now here’s the name that’s risen fast: Sullivan Robey. And what a finals series he had. Four games. Averaged 26 disposals and 2.5 goals. Those aren’t midfield numbers. They’re match-winner numbers.
Robey is big. He’s strong. He’s clean at ground level and aerially. And most of all — he’s versatile.
Can play deep.⁹
Can play high.
Can go on-ball.
Can hurt you in multiple ways.
That’s the kind of modern mid-forward every top side has. Think Isaac Heeney. Think Shai Bolton. Robey is in that mould. He’s no slouch either — not Grlj-quick, but explosive over the first 10-15m. Think right-footed Harvey Langford.
When the game is hot, Robey stays composed. He wins his ball and he finishes. That combo is rare in draft mids. I genuinely believe he’ll thrive at AFL level — he’s got the physicality, footy IQ, and big-game temperament.
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✅ THE LIST FIT – WHY THEY’RE TIGERS
Let’s be real: this is a list that needs to be rebuilt on speed, versatility, and weapons. These two boys aren’t depth picks. They’re difference-makers.
Grlj gives us raw pace, outside run, and defensive pressure.
Robey gives us midfield power, forward craft, and scoreboard impact.
Last year, I was early and loud on Sam Lalor — said he had the traits we needed, and look how well he’s tracking. This year, it’s these two. No hesitation.
They’re not like what we already have. They’re what we need.
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🔒 LOCK IT IN – THE VERDICT
📌 Sam Grlj and Sullivan Robey = Pick the need + pick the future.
📌 Draft night will always have curveballs — but these two should be priority targets for Richmond.
📌 If we walk out of the draft with just one of them, I’ll be thrilled. If we get both… it could be the turning point in our rebuild.
Remember the names.
Remember the Tragician said it first.
🟡⚫ Get back to me in November.