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The eight Tiger cubs leading Richmond across a new frontier
Andrew Slevison • July 27th, 2025 1:30 pm
Richmond’s 2024 national draft class was unprecedented in size and quality
The Tigers ended up with a generational hand in last November’s draft - a mix of finishing bottom that year while also trading out some premiership stars.
Armed with Picks 1, 7, 12, 14, 21, 23, 28 and 58, the Tigers entered the draft full of hope and ambition for a new era.
The club had revelled in their three premierships in four seasons (2017, 2019 and 2020) and wanted more. But the likes of Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Dylan Grimes and Marlion Pickett had opted to retire, stepping away gracefully from the game that had served them so well.
Fellow premiership players Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Liam Baker and Jack Graham all wished to join rival clubs, and although it was hard for some Tigers fans to let them go, the situation urgently ushered in a new generation.
While a handful of loved players walked out the Punt Road exit door, the Tigers pocketed plenty of prized picks through their ambitious trading. There was a clear message - a full rebuild was about to take place.
Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie, Taj Hotton, Jonty Faull, Luke Trainor, Harry Armstrong, Thomas Sims and Jasper Alger are the eight talented Tiger cubs, so far, entrusted with seeing through that rebuild.
These are the young guns leading the Tigers across a new frontier.
Richmond’s head of development, Sam Lonergan, is working closely with the gifted octet every day and is well-versed to provide the lowdown on each of them.
He told the AFL Record and S__EN.com.au__ what stands out about this fateful eight, what makes them tick, and what the future might hold.
“I'm very optimistic about what can be achieved, very quickly,” Lonergan said.
Sam Lalor
(Pick 1)
The no.1 draft pick burst on the scene with an accomplished Round 1 performance in the upset win over Carlton.
There were immediate comparisons to Dustin Martin given Lalor’s power at stoppage, lightning hands and deft touch.
A hamstring injury sustained in round 12 and another in round 17 curtailed his debut campaign but there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to the respectful boy from Bacchus Marsh.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? He's a fantastic leader. His leadership qualities, his temperament, his character, his ability to just draw people along with him is really special. His athletic traits around his power, his strength, his ability, there's some real talent there from a football perspective.
What’s he like? He’s a kind, caring, empathetic person. He’s got a real competitive edge around a desire to be great. Everyone is aiming to be the best they can, but he's aiming to be great. He's also taking guitar and singing lessons. No doubt he’ll be making award-winning music soon!
Where will he play? I think the ideal scenario will probably be 70 per cent midfield, 30 per cent forward. That ability in the front half, we don't ever want to lose that.
Josh Smillie
(Pick 7)
Once touted as a possible no.1 pick, Smillie slid down the board after copping a few injuries during his draft year.
The Park Orchards and Eastern Ranges product has had his rookie year stalled by hamstring issues but has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get his body right for the rigours of the AFL.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? His power around contests. He’s a powerful, strong, contested, inside midfielder who will bust packs open. He's got this great strength around being able to distribute by hand and foot from contests. What he showed in the pre-season, he was dominating training and turning heads very quickly.
What’s he like? Kind and caring. There's not many contested players that don't lead by actions. We're going to see strong leadership traits. I'm always big on gratitude and being humble for your position and the opportunity you've got, and he's shown great signs of a really caring, kind, humble mindset for the opportunity he's got.
Where will he play? There's an adaption period for someone of that size playing as an inside midfielder. Once he adapts to the difference from under 18s, he's going to be an exceptional player. I think we'll see some marking power as well in that position, just purely based on his size. He played a lot of forward as a kid.
Taj Hotton
(Pick 12)
Hotton is another youngster who could have gone much earlier in last year’s draft if not for an ACL injury.
After strong VFL form, the Sandringham Dragons and Haileybury College product made his AFL debut against Essendon in Round 18 and has performed impressively since.
He is the son of former Carlton and Collingwood player Trent and brother of ex-St Kilda listed player Olli.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? He's a super talent. I'm so excited to see him progress. He's a serious player. There’s some stuff I'm seeing from him that I've not seen from an 18-year-old in my time. I think the roof is unknown with this young man, which is exciting.
What’s he like? He's a fantastic teammate, a really coachable, calming presence. He's got a really strong sense of emotional awareness, empathy, situational awareness around people as well as a really mature mind with strong caring traits. I think he'll add a great diversity to a leadership group over time.
Where will he play? He's in that same boat as a Sam Lalor where he’ll mix midfield and forward minutes. He’ll likely be more of a 50-50, maybe 60-40 mid-forward as time goes on.
Jonty Faull
(Pick 14)
The Vic Country and GWV Rebels key forward has quickly made his presence felt at AFL level.
Faull debuted in Gather Round against Fremantle and has been building each week, taking strong marks and kicking big goals.
His aerial presence and competitiveness is undeniable.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? He's your traditional, old school, physical forward. He's going to crunch packs and there's going to be people conscious of that if they're sitting in the hole. He's a very aggressive, aerial, marking, power forward.
What’s he like? He is very relaxed, very laid back. Sometimes you’ve got to just tap him on the shoulder to make sure he's still concentrating in meetings. In saying that, he's a very intelligent football brain, a high IQ from a football perspective, thinks about the game, understands patterns within. He doesn't need to be coached too much. ‘Just tell me what I need to know, tell me how it is’, no bells and whistles.
Where will he play? He’ll be a key forward. An aerobic player who demands the ball inside 50, ‘kick it to me, I’m going to take this mark’. He’s got a strong sense of belief in and around that ability as well.
Luke Trainor
(Pick 21)
The athletic medium defender starred for the Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro last year which led to his first-round selection.
Trainor has featured in all of Richmond’s 2025 AFL games to date, making a name for himself across half-back while adding some wing minutes.
The grandson of champion Geelong and North Melbourne premiership spearhead Doug Wade, Trainor was rewarded with the Round 18 Rising Star nomination against Essendon, acknowledgement for a remarkably consistent first AFL season.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? He's a confident kid; he's a confident player. He has a real competitive spirit and a knack to really grit out moments in games. His ability to run and cover the ground and read the ball is exceptional. He has a real swagger and confidence to take the game on which is exciting.
What’s he like? He is always smiling. He’s got the DJ setup at home, so he gets on the decks. He’s full of energy, brings a smile to the room, and has a really fun personality.
Where will he play? He’s certainly got a combination of aerial flight, read the play, intercept mark. Then the ability to attack and be an offensive threat from defence. I think that he certainly could play elsewhere, but high-end talent is hard to find for that role.
Harry Armstrong
(Pick 23)
Armstrong debuted in Round 1 against Carlton before kicking multiple goals in two games (against Port Adelaide and Brisbane).
The mobile key forward was an All-Australian for Vic Metro last year and impressed for the Sandringham Dragons.
Armstrong is working his way back to full fitness after a hamstring tendon injury suffered in April and is close to a return.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? His greatest strength is that he’s very strong in the air. He’s a left footer, moves and runs and looks fairly balanced across the field, and a very strong competitor. That collision in the Carlton match with Ollie Hollands stands out. A bone-crunching moment and both players jumped straight back up. Very resilient.
What’s he like? He’s quiet. He's always smiling. I very rarely see him unhappy or flat. He has a strong sense of his football ability. There's some real confidence there, which is not uncommon when you see high draft picks coming through. People enjoy being around him because he makes the space, the energy he gives is good. He’s very humble and has a great sense of gratitude.
Where will he play? He's obviously a key forward, but he's got this ability to get up the ground and then get back and beat you. You could play three key forwards with Harry being the third key because he can get up the ground a bit more and fulfill some other roles as well.
Thomas Sims
(Pick 28)
The next of the key position players the Tigers drafted last year, Sims is a powerful forward/ruck.
The Northern Knights, Montmorency and Parade College product debuted in Round 9 against West Coast and continues to develop his game at AFL level.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? He’s a very strong aerial power player but also a competitive ruckman. His second effort are fantastic in the contest. 200cm, ability to impact in the air and a very good work rate.
What’s he like? He could certainly become a cult figure. It won’t take him long to get a following. In his first month at the club, he got up in front of the whole group - air guitar, danced and sang the Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl half-time show performance along to the video clip. He's not afraid to put himself out there and show people who he is and bring his incredibly fun and unique personality to the table.
Where will he play? A key forward with the ability to go in the ruck. Around 80-20 as a key forward/ruck. He may develop into a number one ruckman. He's certainly got the size to do that, but at this stage we see him as a key forward, that can be a second ruck.
Jasper Alger
(Pick 58)
A natural with forward craft and nous, Alger broke through for his AFL debut as the sub in round 15 against the Western Bulldogs.
The Gippsland product kicked two goals against Adelaide in his first full game before injuring his ankle against Geelong in round 18.
He had kicked 15 goals in 10 VFL matches prior.
Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? He's a genuine crafty forward who has moves and goal sense. He’s got serious aerial power as well. It won’t take long before we see him sitting on someone's head, which is a little bit different to the other half-forwards we've got in the AFL at the moment. He certainly brings a different mix to the table.
What’s he like? He was a Richmond supporter growing up, so there's this emotional attachment to want to succeed and prove to the club that he can be a great player for us. We’re starting to see the fun, cheeky, confident side coming out of him. It just shows he's starting to really find his feet and feel comfortable.
Where will he play? Right now, he’s a pure forward, a high half-forward. We’ve seen him play on the wing in the VFL, so there's definitely exposure to other roles. But he’s a forward to begin with.
