Richmond has signed Fremantle winger Nathan O’Driscoll after the clubs struck a trade on Tuesday afternoon.
The dashing 24-year-old was keen to leave the Dockers in search of more opportunities and, according to AFL Media, the Tigers have acquired his services for Pick 61.
O’Driscoll played 17 games this season but lost his spot during the finals series as Fremantle made it to a Grand Final.
Richmond EGM of football talent Blair Hartley said he was excited for what O’Driscoll will bring to the club on and off the field.
“Nathan has had a good taste of AFL football across his six years at Fremantle and is hungry to take his game to the next level. He played 17 games this season and plays the game the right way,” Hartley said.
“At 24, he will complement what we have on the list and bring a skill set that suits the way we want to play with his running power and ability to cover the ground at a high speed.
“He is a quality young man, and we are excited to see him playing on the MCG in the yellow and black next year.”
Earlier in the year, Fremantle had offered a three-year deal for O’Driscoll, but come the end of the season both parties agreed it would be best for the winger to seek a new club.
The Western Bulldogs had been contemplating signing O’Driscoll, however that interest cooled.
O’Driscoll was taken with Pick 27 in the 2020 National Draft and has played 55 games in six seasons.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 03: Nathan O’Driscoll of the Dockers in action during the 2022 AFL Round 03 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on April 03, 2022 In Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Richmond is looking to add some low-cost experienced bodies to its squad for 2027 to help guide its abundance of youth.
The Dockers might be a landing spot for premiership Tiger Nathan Broad. However, the 33-year-old retired from Richmond to move home to Perth so a trade won’t need to be struck between the two clubs.
The Tigers are currently weighing up whether to trade experienced defender Jayden Short and have recently acquired GWS ruckman Kieren Briggs as a free agent.