The holes in every club’s list ahead of the AFL Draft

As it was the advent of injuries rather than anything more malicious that saw the Tigers' pursuit of a third straight flag scuppered, you would have to be spiteful or silly to be certain that Richmond couldn't return to the eight in 2022.

While multiple ailments to players right across the park forced Damien Hardwick into fielding 40 different names throughout their 22 games - the second most in the league behind the Bulldogs - a positive can easily be spun from this negative.

With experience afforded to names as Ryan, Ralphsmith, Dow, Miller, Martyn, and Maurice Rioli Jr., it could actually be argued that this season spend holidaying in September has had a long-term benefit for the Punt Road side.

But while these kids enjoyed a stress-free taste of senior action due to temporary absences, some of the voids that were created throughout Richmond's season have become slightly more permanent.

Although names like Dustin Martin and Ivan Soldo will be back in yellow and black after substantial stints on the sideline, those of fellow premiership winners Bachar Houli and David Astbury won't.

Despite the fact that the club will have reasonable coverage for the pair following the signing of Robbie Tarrant, as well as the rise of Rhyan Mansell and Liam Baker, the pair of retirements have offered a sneak preview of what the future will inevitably hold.

Entering next year, Richmond will have 10 names on their current list that will be 30-years-of-age or older by the end of the calendar year.

As explained during Geelong's entry in this umbrella piece, this doesn't necessarily denote a death sentence as a professional athlete, but it does mean that each of Grimes, Martin, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Edwards, Lambert, Prestia, Caddy, Pickett, and Tarrant are closer to the end than they are the beginning.

And while the Tigers list management team began staggering their litany of premiership star's departures, with a raft of other names inching towards eventually joining their mates in the stands, the question of whether the club is ready to replace them must be tentatively posed.

Now, while I'm hopeful that this point won't be misinterpreted as a suggestion that each of these names should immediately hang their boots up, if momentum is to be maintained following the unpreventable departures of 'Dusty', 'Cotch', and company, the next cabs off the rank will need to be readied.

As I've also said in the recent past, each of the kids that were given a go at some stage this year appeared worthwhile persisting with, but each will also need to find higher gears if they are to allow for the Tigers' paw to remain firmly on the accelerator.

Whether these same names for the future will be afforded a chance to continue earning their stripes at senior level next season, I'm not sure.

Still, if those at Tigerland have an eye on the future as well as the present, Hardwick and his team of assistants would do well to fit them into roles somewhere.

History suggests that teams at the summit are forced to dip eventually, but given so many great names still call the club home, it is tough to see this downward trend that started this year continuing into a second season.

Still, with every player's career coming with a shelf life, Richmond needs to be honest with themselves when they ask if they will be adequately covered when their marquee men ultimately depart.

And if not, at least they've got a mighty draft hand to help fill in any holes they've noticed.