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<\/p>\nHowever, the Tigers\u2019 recruiting manager Rhy Gieschen revealed afterwards they settled on Cumming and Grlj about a week-and-a-half ago \u2013 and he was chuffed their plans remained a secret.<\/p>\n
Grlj\u2019s two standout performances for Richmond\u2019s VFL team convinced them of his bona fides before his brilliant testing at the combine effectively sealed the deal. The Tigers have now drafted nine players inside the top 30 of the past two drafts as their rebuild under Adem Yze goes into overdrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe picked three key forwards last year, two inside mids, and Luke Trainor, who\u2019s an intercept back, then Taj Hotton, who\u2019s a bit of a hybrid forward-mid,\u201d Gieschen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSam Grlj gives us that bounce and run. We think he could start at half-back; he\u2019s got speed, lateral movement, and then he came out and ran a 5:59 in the 2km [trial], and it gave us great confidence that he can play back, mid [or] wing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Richmond named nine debutants this past season, and Gieschen believes both Grlj and Cumming can make an instant impact in 2026.<\/p>\n
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Cumming finished third in the best-and-fairest award for NSW club Wentworth\u2019s senior side at the tender age of 14, and also played senior SANFL football for North Adelaide this year.<\/p>\n
The Grlj selection meant new possibilities for Essendon, who had already secured Carlton\u2019s pick nine (before bids) to arm them with three first-round selections. The last time that happened was in 2020, when the Bombers picked Nik Cox, Archie Perkins and Zach Reid.<\/p>\n
The Bombers also did a good job of keeping their cards close to their chest, but gleefully selected Robey, the kid no one wanted at the start of the year.<\/p>\n
The hulking teenager, who grew 17 centimetres in the past two years, went from dominating for Rowville\u2019s senior side to setting games alight for Eastern Ranges after Dandenong Stingrays continually overlooked him.<\/p>\n
They then opted for West Australian Jacob Farrow, who, similarly to Robey, was off-Broadway in the pre-season \u2013 and not even in his state squad then \u2013 but his name was up in lights long before Robey\u2019s.<\/p>\n
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Essendon came away thrilled with their first-round haul, including Sullivan Robey.Credit: Justin McManus<\/p>\n
Essendon also wanted Larke medallist and midfield brute Dyson Sharp, but had to wait for two Demons selections first.<\/p>\n
Melbourne rated Cumming, Robey and Taylor very highly, so they were always going to snap any of that trio up if they slipped through.<\/p>\n
The Dees went for Taylor, who was best afield in Eastern Ranges\u2019 grand final victory, at No.11. Reflecting on that performance, Melbourne\u2019s new dashing defender declared he was the standout performer on and off the ground that day.<\/p>\n
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Essendon\u2019s first-round selections, Jacob Farrow, Robey, and Dyson Sharp.Credit: Justin McManus<\/p>\n
That confidence appealed to Demons recruiting manager Jason Taylor.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a player who plays with real spirit and aggression. He\u2019s got real speed and agility, gets through the first line of defence, and turns defence into offence \u2013 and that\u2019s really important in today\u2019s footy,\u201d the recruiter said.<\/p>\n
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Latrelle Pickett was chosen with the same selection by the Demons as his cousin Kysaiah, pick No.12.Credit: Justin McManus<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a bit of spunk about him, the way he presents and plays, and a real will to win. He\u2019s confident in a good way, and we feel like he plays footy in the manner that breeds success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Melbourne then went for All-Australian forward Kysaiah Pickett\u2019s cousin, mercurial goalsneak Latrelle Pickett, who took off as a 19-year-old in the SANFL this year.<\/p>\n
Taylor described the Pickett selection as filling a list need, but certainly keeps \u201cKozzy\u201d happy. The Demons were so set on him that they made sure he was at the draft, and organised for his cousin to present him with his red-and-blue jumper.<\/p>\n
South Australian winger-forward Cameron Nairn, who was on Melbourne\u2019s shortlist, ended up getting to Hawthorn at pick 20.<\/p>\n
But back to Essendon. With Sharp making it past the Demons, the Bombers were able to continue to replenish their midfield stocks with someone who looks a readymade player.<\/p>\n
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Essendon flirted with trying to score West Coast\u2019s No.2 pick, and held discussions with the Eagles, but list boss Matt Rosa \u2013 the man entrusted with leading the Bombers\u2019 recruiting after Adrian Dodoro\u2019s departure \u2013 was pleased regardless to have a strong presence in this draft.<\/p>\n
There were not always nice things said about the 2025 crop, but people at four clubs with great need for a change in fortune walked away happy.<\/p>\n
The Eagles nabbed highly rated Victorians Duursma, Duff-Tytler and Josh Lindsay, while Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne all added top-tier talent that fit their needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really believed in the top end of this draft,\u201d Rosa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted as much access to the high end of the draft as we could, and we wanted to pick as high as we could … and we feel like we\u2019ve walked out with a really good balance.\u201d<\/p>\n