Tigers, Pies to gain Mid-Season Draft boost

Both Richmond and Collingwood are set to join the handful of clubs queueing up for next month's Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Clubs are required to have an open Rookie list spot by the close of business on May 31 in order to feature in the draft, with some sides weighing up decisions to move players to their inactive lists in order to have a say at the next talent intake.

Carlton, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn and Sydney each currently have one spot open on their respective lists, with more sides anticipated to join them in the coming weeks.

Following the retirement of two-time premiership Tiger Josh Caddy, Richmond will be able to enter the Mid-Season Draft as the ex-Cat and Sun moves to the inactive list.

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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said the club were thoroughly appreciative of Caddy's "selfless" act to give the Tigers greater list flexibility for the remainder of the season while he battles chronic hamstring issues.

"[Caddy] wanted to provide the opportunity to some other player to put their hand up and play for our footy club, that probably sums up Josh," Hardwick said of the 174-gamer.

"He's given up his jumper so someone else can have an opportunity ... That's the selfless nature of the guy. We couldn't be more appreciative."

The Magpies are tipped to pull the trigger on a list change of their own.

According to AFL.com.au, Collingwood will be active in the Mid-Season Draft in shuffling Nathan Kreuger's services to the inactive list, with the former Geelong swingman having required shoulder surgery after his side's Round 6 win over Essendon.

Both the Magpies and Tigers picked up recruits through the 2021 Mid-Season Draft, with former Saint Matthew Parker heading to Punt Road while Collingwood swooped on Aiden Begg and Ashley Johnson.

The two clubs are likely to push for younger talent come the June 1 draft, with Collingwood potentially placing a focus on key forwards and rucks.

The Tigers may also be in the market for a forward or midfielder as Hardwick hopes to prolong his side's top eight credentials.

Former Hawk Ollie Hanrahan is understood to be on the radar of AFL clubs since returning to the VFL with Werribee, while WAFL ruckman Brynn Treakle, Sandringham Dragons prospect Max Ramsden and South Adelaide's Jye Menzie could also enter the fray.

The AFL confirmed to all 18 clubs this week that the Mid-Season Draft will take place on June 1, falling on the Wednesday after the cessation of Round 11.

• A Player who nominated for the most recent NAB AFL National Draft.
  Please note: A Player who nominated for and was not selected during the Draft and who committed for a further year as a 19-year-old Northern or NGA Academy Player is available to all Clubs should they nominate for the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

• A Player who has previously been on the list of a Club (not required to nominate for the most recent Draft) refers to the following situations:A Delisted Player
  Please note: A Player delisted by a Club cannot be reselected in the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft by the same Club in the period immediately following their delisting unless they nominated for the most recent Draft.

  A Retired Player and/or a Player who has delisted himself and has not been on an AFL List for one year or more. For example, a player who retired in 2021 is not able to be selected in the 2022 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

St Kilda (Jack Hayes, Nick Coffield) and Gold Coast (Ben King) could also elect to move players to their inactive list in order to be active in the Mid-Season Draft.

The order of the draft will be in the reverse ladder order after Round 11.