First-year Richmond coach Adem Yze said he'd be "shattered" to see Liam Baker, Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli and Jack Graham depart the club at season's end.
The quartet of premiership players have been heavily linked to rival clubs, as Bolton, Baker, and Graham are reportedly eager to head west, while Rioli is in line to reunite with former coach Damien Hardwick in the Gold Coast.
Speaking to Fox Footy'sย AFL 360 on Monday night, Yze spoke openly about the possibility of losing some of the Tigers' important players but noted that a decision from out-of-contract duo Baker and Graham hadn't been made clear.
โNot really (closer to knowing); realistically, as it gets close to the (end of the) season, he's obviously going to come to that decision โฆ he'll come to that decision, he's out of contract โ and same as Jack Graham,โ Yze explained.
SEE MORE: Richmond's critical juncture in list build as premiership cohort receives mass interestย
โThey're in a position right now they've got to make a decision, and whichever way that goes, we've just got to embrace it โ as I've mentioned all along, we just want them to be happy and really enjoy their footy and show some leadership throughout the year.
Adem Yze on the future of Liam Baker and Jack Graham at Richmond.
Watch #AFL360 on Ch. 504 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/7kvglvpWSC pic.twitter.com/VIteXrqEk3
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 12, 2024
โThe guys that are out of contract (are) a different situation; as I've mentioned all throughout the season, I could see at the start of the year the stress that it created on โBakes' especially as a vice-captain โ so we went and had breakfast, and just spoke through the whole thing and were really open about it.
โI just want him to play with freedom and not worry about letting people down when he does come to that decision โ if he does at the end of the season decide to go, we'll be obviously shattered that's he's going, but we won't forget what he's done for our club.โ
As for Rioli and Bolton, the pair are both contracted at Punt Road for at least another three seasons, meaning a deal with either the Dockers or Suns would have to satisfy Richmond's needs.
The Tigers - if they entertained the idea - would likely ask for two first-round selections or hold both to their deals.
โDaniel and Shai are contracted players, and as you saw on the weekend โ are very, very good players,โ Yze continued.
โThose discussions will happen at the end of the year, and right now we see them obviously as required players and very talented players."
Yze also doubled down on his stance on altering the league's player movement space to look similar to the NRL's culture of players announcing movements during the season.
As it stands in the AFL, players generally don't reveal their decisions until October before official announcements are made.
โI think for the unrestricted free agents, it makes sense; I saw with โBakes' the anxiety it puts on the players, and I don't think it helps their performance โ I wouldn't be against it,โ Yze said.
The Tigers currently hold Pick 1 in the 2024 National Draft and will face Hawthorn and Gold Coast in the final two rounds of the home and away season.
The club will celebrate legend Dustin Martin - who recently announced his retirement - in Round 24 against Hardwick and the Suns.
