Richmond clarify Bolton latest, other Tigers “in a little bit of limbo”: AFL trade news

Richmond coach Adem Yze has confirmed star Tiger hasn’t lodged a formal trade request, with the Tigers set to learn the intentions of several key players as early as next week.

Bolton’s desire to depart Punt Road in favour of a move back to his home state of Western Australia was reported this week, with his management declaring no request had been made from Bolton but that he was open to heading home.

The lively Tigers attacker is contracted until the end of 2028, meaning Richmond would need to approve a trade to part ways with the All-Australian and two-time premiership player.

Teammate Daniel Rioli is said to be in a similar position and could seek a move to the Gold Coast Suns despite being under contract at Richmond.

Yze said he hasn’t held talks with Bolton over a trade, noting the club and its players will sit down for discussions about 2025 and beyond in the coming weeks.

“It’s not a conversation around a trade, it’s about making sure he’s in a good spot to go out and perform,” the Tigers coach said.

“Those discussions will happen at the end of the year, and there hasn’t been a formal request for a trade.

“We understand that he’s got some family and things that are happening outside of footy, and that there could be that option, but those sort of things won’t happen until the end of the year.

“He is a contracted player and a really important player for us. So I’ll keep saying that, and the same for Daniel. Until anything changes, we expect them to be required players.

“Next week in their exit interviews and all that sort of thing we’ll have a function that we can get together. If any of those things start to come out and players make those announcements, we’ll be able to send them off the right way. But right now, they’re Richmond players and terrific Richmond men.”

Duo Liam Baker and Jack Graham also have decisions to make once the 2024 season concludes, with both players without deals for next year and said to be in the sights of Western Australian clubs.

Much like Bolton and Rioli, the Tigers are yet to receive final decisions from the pair as the club braces for exit interviews.

“It’s the same situation. For him and Jack Graham,” Yze said of Baker’s future.

“They’ve got a contract in front of them and they’ll make that decision. So no doubt, with all the emotion of this week, they’ll try and just get through that and make that measured decision. And no doubt in their exit interview, they’ll probably let us know then.”

The four pending calls have placed a number of fringe uncontracted players “in a little bit of limbo”, Yze claims, with a handful of Tigers players still without deals but could have their campaigns continue into September as the Tigers’ VFL sides looks to keep its season alive with a Wildcard Round match against Williamstown this weekend.