Richmond are believed to be in a "decent position" to sign their third GWS player in the space of 12 months, with Giants swingman Harry Himmelberg seen as a potential replacement for champion Tiger Jack Riewoldt.
The Punt Road club pulled off a double trade coup last year to sign both Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper from GWS, giving up a quartet of high-value draft selections to secure the pair on seven-year deals.
The aggressive trade window came as the Tigers saw premiership contingent Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert and Josh Caddy hang up the boots, while former captain Trent Cotchin also nears retirement.
Both Taranto and Hopper have managed to help fill the void in Damien Hardwick's engine room this season, however the Tigers have battled to find consistency in their key-position stocks due to both injury and form.
Richmond's backline has battled due to the absence of Robbie Tarrant (hip), Nathan Broad (suspension) and Josh Gibcus (hamstring), while star forward Tom Lynch will miss close to half the season with a foot injury sustained in Round 4.
Lynch's setback has left the 34-year-old Riewoldt to lead Richmond's attacking pack, just months after the triple premiership Tiger considered calling time on his illustrious career.
With the Tigers spearhead seen likely to hang up the boots at the end of this year, Richmond may look towards Himmelberg as a replacement for Riewoldt.
Given Himmelberg's status as a free agent in 2023, the Tigers won't be required to cough up a draft selection to secure his services - which could be priced close to $800,000 per year.
Triple M'sย Jay Clark has revealed the Tigers "believe they're in a decent position" in their pursuit of Himmelberg, who has also gained reported interest from the Swans this year.
"I think they're going to go down this path even further but with a free agent in terms of GWS's Harry Himmelberg, who has been very good for the Giants," Clark said of Richmond's off-season interests onย Dead Set Legends.ย
"GWS is really nervous about this one, they needed an early commitment from him, he's put talks off. It's going to go late into the year.
"Sydney are interested as well, but he's sort of perfect for (Richmond). They've struggled defensively, he can play back, but also potentially replace Jack Riewoldt as a key forward target next to Tom Lynch.
"Then you'd have a decent spine if you had him as well. He would probably cost $800,000 [per year] but you get him for free as part of a free agency move.
"It'd be a huge blow for the Giants as a New South Wales boy, but he's good mates with Jacob Hopper. If he came it would really strengthen the Tigers' spine.
"They believe they're in a decent position."
Himmelberg is one of seven restricted free agents across the AFL this year, with Essendon air Darcy Parish and Mason Redman, North Melbourne backman Ben McKay, Saint Jade Gresham, Crow Tom Doedee and Power forward Charlie Dixon all falling under the same band.
Himmelberg, who turns 27 on Monday, has played 134 games for the Giants since debuting for the club in 2016 and played alongside Hopper and Taranto in the club's 2019 grand final loss to the Tigers.
The Mangoplah-CUE junior has been among the Giants' best so far this year, booting a goal per game after moving back into the forward line in the pre-season.
