TIGERS WEIGH UP TRADE-DOWN AS DEFENDER DEAL COULD CLINCH FATHER-SON PROSPECT

Richmond has spoken with Essendon about moving down the draft order as a looming deal with West Coast could hand the club enough points to land a father-son prospect.

Tigers defender Tylar Young will head to the Eagles on a three-year deal with the two clubs moving closer to completing a trade.

The West reported a potential return for the Tigers had been Fremantle’s second round pick (currently No.34, acquired in the Brandon Starcevich deal), but they “will likely now take a later pick”.

Heading into Thursday, the Eagles have picks 1, 2, 13, 34, 38, 53 and 58, and will receive more draft capital when they trade out Campbell Chesser (Carlton) and Liam Ryan (St Kilda).

Richmond would then need to hope the pick they get for Young is enough to match a bid for father-son prospect Louis Kellaway, the South Australia-based son of 180-gamer Duncan (the Crows’ long-time physio and rehab coach).

Kellaway is also the nephew of former All-Australian and Tigers best and fairest winner Andrew, plus the nephew of former AFL players Nick and Ben Holland, the latter being how Louis’ parents met.

“We rate them (father-sons) accordingly and if he’s there at the top when a bid comes, we’ll match it. If not, we’ve had some great conversations with the Kellaways,”

Richmond national recruiting manager Rhy Gieschen told AFL Media.

“We’ve got so much respect for Duncan and the Kellaway family, what they were able to contribute to our club. We’re really comfortable and they’re comfortable about what it looks like and every situation.”

Another pathway to more draft picks could be trading one of the Tigers’ current two selections, picks 3 and 4.

The Bombers are known to be interested in moving up the draft order, holding picks 5 and 6, and the two clubs have had conversations about a deal.

“We’ve spoken to Matt, we’ve spoken to a few clubs about that,” Gieschen said.

“Like every club, you look at all of the options and all of the possibilities.

“But it would have to be of great benefit to us. It’s not every year that you go into a draft with picks 2 and 3 (before West Coast was awarded Pick 2 as Oscar Allen compensation), and we think there’s some quality players there.”