Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis has stated that Richmond should not be pursuing the signature of out-of-contract Fremantle midfielder Adam Cerra, with the one-time All Australian holding the view that the reigning premiers should instead set their sights on the draft.
Following Thursday night's final-siren that saw the Tigers fall short of the rising Suns by 10-points at Marvel Stadium, Herald Sun journalist Sam Landsberger tweeted that the Punt Road club currently held the 11th, 14th, 26th and 30th selections for this year's talent pool.
Although their entry point is subject to change, Richmond will hold a pair of first round picks - unless they part with them to land Cerra.
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Speaking on SEN's AFL Nation last night, Lewis urged those at Tigerland not to sell the farm to secure the 21-year-old Victorian.
“I’d be staggered if they gave up their top picks in the draft,” he said
“I don’t think you need trade out players (and picks) out to get an Adam Cerra in, the draft pick that you might pick might be just as good but you don’t need to pay the money you’ll have to pay Cerra to come in."
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The 319-gamer pointed to the successes of a pair of current Demons as to why the Tigers should be on the prowl for draftees rather than Cerra.
“If there's a Kossie Pickett or Luke Jackson in this draft that can come in and have an impact…that’s the decision they’ll have to make at the end of the year," Lewis said.
“I certainly don’t think their successful period is done and dusted and don’t think it’s a bad thing if they miss finals this year, (it would) create a little bit of hunger and (they would) get a chunk of time off to see other teams playing finals when they should be playing.”
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Cerra, a former first round draftee himself, has long been linked with numerous Victorian clubs - including Richmond - after his recent decision not to ink a new deal with the Dockers.
The Eastern Ranges product has 69-games for Fremantle since debuting in Round 2 of 2018 and holds career averages of 16.4-disposals, three tackles and 1.7 clearances across them.