Has Richmond sold the farm for Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper?
That is the conversation that was sparked on SEN’s Sportsday on Monday night between Kane Cornes and Luke Hodge.
The Tigers gave up a future first-round draft selection (currently pick 4), as well as picks 12, 19 and 31 to GWS for the midfield pair who both signed on seven-year deals.
Early this season you could look at it from a point of view that is hasn’t quite worked given the Tigers own a 1-3-1 win-loss-draw record and sit 15th on the ladder.
However, on the flip side, Taranto leads the club in disposals, contested possessions, tackles and clearances, is second for score involvements and third for inside 50s. (But does have the most clangers).
Hopper, meanwhile, has been solid, averaging over 24 disposals, nine contested possessions, over five inside 50s, four tackles and more than three clearances per game.
Due to the fact that Richmond gave up four significant picks for the duo, Cornes is of the belief that the overall deal is “horrific” for the club.
“This deal gets worse and worse by the week, it really does,” Cornes said.
“You’ve got to factor in the 14 years between them and them not helping Richmond.
“It’s a watch. Clearly Richmond are fourth last at the moment and that pick is held by the Giants. Their ladder position might improve which makes the deal look a little bit better.
“I think it’s a horrific deal. I think it’s about as bad a trade as we’ve seen in a long time on current evidence.
“They’ve got seven years left!”
“Exactly right,” said Hodge.
“They’ve got to find their groove. They’ve got them for the future.
“They’re going to try and fit themselves into the team style now.”
Cornes and Hodge exchanged in a back and forth, offering contradicting views of the Taranto/Hopper deals.
Cornes: “Taranto can’t kick a drop punt.”
Hodge: “There’s been plenty of players who haven’t been able to kick who had long careers.”
Cornes: “I’m trying to get ahead of the curve here.
“It’s a horrific deal.”
Hodge is prepared to give the on-ball pair more time to prove themselves, speaking from personal experience when Hawthorn recruited Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Mitchell prior to the 2017 season.
It didn’t have an immediate impact as the Hawks missed finals that year, but they did bounce back to finish in the top four in 2018 with Mitchell and O’Meara key components of the recoil.
“I reckon you’ve jumped early on this one,” the Hawks great added.
“For one person I wouldn’t give up those picks, but for two I probably would.
“If you had the belief that these guys are going to take your midfield and charge on for the next seven years and bring you back up to premiership (contenders).
“Clearly they do (have that belief).
“Taranto has started off the season really well. Yes, his kicking has let him down. Hopper has been in and out a little bit, hasn’t been as good.
“But they’re five games in. I remember when Jaeger and Tommy Mitchell in, we missed finals the next year, but they bought them back up to the top four in 2018.
“So I wouldn’t be jumping five years into a seven-year contract.”
Cornes: “I just call it as I see it, I’m observing.”
Hodge: “It’s a bit premature.”
Cornes: ”I don’t think it is. It’s my observation from Round 5.”
The Tigers are currently in a precarious position heading into a crunch clash with Melbourne in Round 6.
But is it too early to write off the recruitment of both Taranto and Hopper?
Listen to the conversation below: