Riley Collier-Dawkins remains a chance to find a new AFL home, with the delisted Richmond midfielder receiving interest from a “fair few clubs”.
The former first-round pick barely got going in his four years at the Tigers, managing 11 games and just two in 2022.
With the club’s acquisition of ex-GWS duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, there was no room for the 22-year-old on Richmond’s list when he was among four delistings.
But speaking to 7 News, Collier-Dawkins says he’s packed on several kilograms and is keen to continue his AFL journey.
“I’ve got a desire to play at the best level and see how good I can be, I’m taking every measure and every day is an opportunity to get better,” he stated.
Delisted free agency has begun today, with footballers around the country hoping to learn if they'll be given a second chance in the AFL. After being dumped from the Tigers, Riley Collier-Dawkins is determined to prove his knockers wrong. @cleary_mitch @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/vUmnNQnmsk
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) November 3, 2022
“I certainly have felt and got some evidence to take out of it (Richmond career) that I can do it and know what it takes to get there… I’ve got a lot of speed and power and I think that’s something in the modern game that separates the good teams from the best teams.”
After being taken with pick 20 in the 2018 National Draft, Collier-Dawkins' best performance in the black and yellow came in Round 23, 2021 when collecting 19 disposals, five clearances, three inside 50s and three marks playing a hard-running role in the midfield.
Collier-Dawkins played nine games that campaign to suggest he wasn’t far away from breaking into the best 22 on a permanent basis.
But 2021 draftee Tyler Sonsie featured in the Tigers’ last seven games of 2022, while Jack Ross was also preferred to Collier-Dawkins as a depth option.
However, Collier-Dawkins is hoping his runs on the board hold him in good stead for a new contract elsewhere.
“There’s preliminary discussions with a fair few clubs which has given me a lot of hope, but until something’s official obviously you never know… I'm just going to be ready no matter what,” he added.
The first delisted free agency window opened on Thursday which saw Francis Evans join Port Adelaide and Fergus Greene become a Hawk.
Damien Hardwick will have one of the deepest midfields at his disposal in 2023, featuring the likes of Taranto, Hopper, Ross, Sonsie, Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia Trent Cotchin, Jack Graham and Marlion Pickett.