Richmond have been well below where they expected to be in season 2021, not measuring up to the extremely lofty standards set by their success in recent years.
The truth is that Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and other ageing stars aren't going to be around forever and sooner or later Damien Hardwick will have to start looking for new blood.
5 Trade Targets: Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Brisbane
5 Trade Targets: Carlton
5 Trade Targets: Collingwood
5 Trade Targets: Essendon
5 Trade Targets: Fremantle
5 Trade Targets: Geelong
5 Trade Targets: Gold Coast
5 Trade Targets: GWS
5 Trade Targets: Hawthorn
5 Trade Targets: Melbourne
5 Trade Targets: North Melbourne
5 Trade Targets: Port Adelaide
We continue our ‘Five trade targets for every club’ series with Richmond.
In no particular order, here are five players which the Richmond recruitment team would do well to target and potentially poach.
One of multiple Doggies players on this list, Patrick Lipinski would be a great deal for the Tigers to try and push through.
The wingman is industrious and has been in good form when he has been given the opportunity by Luke Beveridge.
The reality is however is that the Bulldogs have the best midfield in the competition as it stands, and for the 22-year-old to try and force himself into it would be a mammoth task.
This has lead to him spending a lot of time in the VFL, only playing nine games in 2021 so far.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
With his contract out at the end of season 2021, the midfielder is the subject of intense interest from other clubs, and Richmond would likely be keeping their ear to the ground on the matter.
If he was to make the switch to Punt Road, then expect for him to go in on the wing and take over from Marlion Pickett should his form falter at any point.
This pacey defender/midfielder hybrid is on a number of team's hitlists this trade period, with the 21-year-old impressing in the 59 games he's had at AFL level.
Richards had his first game back from a fractured fibula in Round 15 against the Eagles, spending most of his time on the half-back line and chipping in with his 16 disposals.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Rebound50s
Despite this, he is able to drift across the half-forward and hurt teams that way with his blistering speed. With this, he could potentially slot into multiple spaces within Richmond's best-22.
His inclusion on the weekend has shown the value that he brings to Luke Beveridge's side and it will take a huge offer to pry him away from Whitten Oval.
Despite the Tigers not having a huge salary cap available, it would be worth putting the feelers out and seeing what the Doggies have to say.
The third and final Dogs player on this list is Mitch Wallis, who has been out of favour in 2021 despite his impressive form in 2020.
The forward has only featured on four occasions for Luke Beveridge's side during this season and has failed to nail down a regular spot in a side that is steaming towards a home qualifying final position.
Despite this, there is no doubting the quality that he can bring to the table on his day. The 28-year-old managed 25 goals in his 18 appearances in a stunted season 2020 and was one of the key factors behind their finals appearance.
RELATED: Dogs great urges Wallis to look elsewhere
For the Tigers, he would be great across the forward-line to complement Riewoldt and Lynch when others around them such as Jason Castagna, Daniel Rioli or Jake Aarts maybe aren't firing as well as they could.
Wallis becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, meaning that he is able to choose where he plies his trade for season 2022.
It would be wise for the Tigers to put a contract on the table and bring Wallis to Punt Road at season's end.
The big target that the Tigers are linked with for trade period 2021 is the gun Dockers midfielder Adam Cerra.
The 21-year-old has been linked with almost all sides in Victoria as he signaled his intent to move back home.
RELATED: Hawks legend advises Tigers not to chase Docker
Cerra hasn't been putting up huge numbers in season 2021, with arguably his best performance being against Sydney in Round 10 where he racked up 25 touches and a goal in a two-point win for his side.
However the sad truth for the Tigers is that captain Trent Cotchin isn't getting any younger, nor is Dusty, Prestia or Shane Edwards, so the time might be now to go and secure the next generation of Tigers.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Getting Cerra could be the beginning of a new era at Punt Road, and with other youngsters coming through such as Chol, Coleman-Jones and Collier-Dawkins, it could be a bright future at Tigerland.
Giant Harry Perryman is a force to be reckoned with down back for Leon Cameron's side. The 22-year-old has been solid as a rock in the GWS rearguard for the last few years and earned himself a new two-year contract last year.
His 2021 form has been outstanding as well despite sustaining injuries which have kept him out of just under half of all games this year.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Perryman is averaging 2.1 intercept marks, 22.8 disposals and 423.3 metres gained per match, all above average numbers for a defender and showing he is able to help his team build from the back, something the Tigers enjoy doing.
Although a move could be unlikely this trade period, the Tigers should definitely attempt to secure the defender in the future, with his ability to win the ball an asset to any side he plays in.