Matt Rendell believes reigning premiers Richmond should target former Saint and Magpie Nathan Freeman in the upcoming mid-season draft.
The 25-year-old, who was selected with pick 10 in the 2013 National Draft, was plagued by injury throughout his stints at Collingwood and St Kilda.
Now working in player management, Freeman has caught plenty of people’s attention after starring for Frankston in the VFL this season.
Ahead of next Wednesday’s mid-season draft, Rendell says the Tigers could be the club eyeing off Freeman to bolster their midfield.
“Nathan Freeman has been outstanding in the VFL, but I didn’t think he was going to nominate (for the mid-season draft),” he said on SEN’s Dwayne World.
“He works with Paul Connors in player management so he would have to put that on hold, my son plays with him at Frankston and he thought Freeman may not nominate, but he has landed up nominating.
“I’m tipping that if he’s nominated, someone has told him that they’ll pick him. I’m thinking Richmond is the team that might want him with their injuries.
“Trent Cotchin is out with a hamstring injury and he has a history of them, Shai Bolton has a broken wrist and is he going to come back and be any good?
“I don’t think there’s any of those mature-agers that are going to go to that top clubs and help them win a flag.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that will help a club from a flag point of view besides if someone takes Nathan Freeman in the top eight (of the draft).
“Richmond are ninth (on the ladder at the moment), he is a chance to help someone.”
Freeman is one of over 400 players who have nominated for the June 2 draft, with Sandringham Dragons ruckman Jacob Edwards widely tipped to be taken by North Melbourne with pick one.