However, the Tigers’ recruiting supervisor Rhy Gieschen revealed afterwards they settled on Cumming and Grlj a few week-and-a-half in the past – and he was satisfied their plans remained a secret.
Grlj’s two standout performances for Richmond’s VFL crew satisfied them of his bona fides earlier than his good testing on the mix successfully sealed the deal. The Tigers have now drafted 9 gamers inside the highest 30 of the previous two drafts as their rebuild beneath Adem Yze goes into overdrive.
“We picked three key forwards final yr, two inside mids, and Luke Trainor, who’s an intercept again, then Taj Hotton, who’s a little bit of a hybrid forward-mid,” Gieschen mentioned.
“Sam Grlj offers us that bounce and run. We assume he may begin at half-back; he’s acquired velocity, lateral motion, after which he got here out and ran a 5:59 within the 2km [trial], and it gave us nice confidence that he can play again, mid [or] wing.”
Richmond named 9 debutants this previous season, and Gieschen believes each Grlj and Cumming could make an immediate impression in 2026.
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Cumming completed third within the best-and-fairest award for NSW membership Wentworth’s senior aspect on the tender age of 14, and in addition performed senior SANFL soccer for North Adelaide this yr.
The Grlj choice meant new prospects for Essendon, who had already secured Carlton’s choose 9 (earlier than bids) to arm them with three first-round alternatives. The final time that occurred was in 2020, when the Bombers picked Nik Cox, Archie Perkins and Zach Reid.
The Bombers additionally did an excellent job of conserving their playing cards near their chest, however gleefully chosen Robey, the child nobody wished in the beginning of the yr.
The hulking teenager, who grew 17 centimetres prior to now two years, went from dominating for Rowville’s senior aspect to setting video games alight for Eastern Ranges after Dandenong Stingrays regularly ignored him.
They then opted for West Australian Jacob Farrow, who, equally to Robey, was off-Broadway within the pre-season – and never even in his state squad then – however his title was up in lights lengthy earlier than Robey’s.
Essendon got here away thrilled with their first-round haul, together with Sullivan Robey.Credit: Justin McManus
Essendon additionally wished Larke medallist and midfield brute Dyson Sharp, however needed to wait for 2 Demons alternatives first.
Melbourne rated Cumming, Robey and Taylor very extremely, so that they have been all the time going to snap any of that trio up in the event that they slipped via.
The Dees went for Taylor, who was finest afield in Eastern Ranges’ grand closing victory, at No.11. Reflecting on that efficiency, Melbourne’s new dashing defender declared he was the standout performer on and off the bottom that day.
Essendon’s first-round alternatives, Jacob Farrow, Robey, and Dyson Sharp.Credit: Justin McManus
That confidence appealed to Demons recruiting supervisor Jason Taylor.
“He’s a participant who performs with actual spirit and aggression. He’s acquired actual velocity and agility, will get via the primary line of defence, and turns defence into offence – and that’s actually necessary in at present’s footy,” the recruiter mentioned.
Latrelle Pickett was chosen with the identical choice by the Demons as his cousin Kysaiah, choose No.12.Credit: Justin McManus
“He’s acquired a little bit of spunk about him, the best way he presents and performs, and an actual will to win. He’s assured in a great way, and we really feel like he performs footy within the method that breeds success.”
Melbourne then went for All-Australian ahead Kysaiah Pickett’s cousin, mercurial goalsneak Latrelle Pickett, who took off as a 19-year-old within the SANFL this yr.
Taylor described the Pickett choice as filling a listing want, however definitely retains “Kozzy” blissful. The Demons have been so set on him that they made certain he was on the draft, and organised for his cousin to current him along with his red-and-blue jumper.
South Australian winger-forward Cameron Nairn, who was on Melbourne’s shortlist, ended up attending to Hawthorn at choose 20.
But again to Essendon. With Sharp making it previous the Demons, the Bombers have been in a position to proceed to replenish their midfield shares with somebody who appears a readymade participant.
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Essendon flirted with making an attempt to attain West Coast’s No.2 choose, and held discussions with the Eagles, however listing boss Matt Rosa – the person entrusted with main the Bombers’ recruiting after Adrian Dodoro’s departure – was happy regardless to have a powerful presence on this draft.
There weren’t all the time good issues mentioned concerning the 2025 crop, however folks at 4 golf equipment with nice want for a change in fortune walked away blissful.
The Eagles nabbed extremely rated Victorians Duursma, Duff-Tytler and Josh Lindsay, whereas Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne all added top-tier expertise that match their wants.
“We actually believed within the prime finish of this draft,” Rosa mentioned.
“We wished as a lot entry to the excessive finish of the draft as we may, and we wished to select as excessive as we may … and we really feel like we’ve walked out with a extremely good stability.”
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