A SYDNEY victory on Friday night against Geelong will carry a silver lining for Richmond supporters.

A Cats loss would move the Tigers up one spot in the first round of the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, from 15th to 14th as Richmond secured Geelong's first pick when it was on-traded to the Tigers last year from Greater Western Sydney to secure Brett Deledio.

Check out the current indicative draft order

That would give the Tigers an extra 49 draft bidding points to use on potential father-son selection Patrick Naish, who is likely to attract a bid within the top 20 selections at the November draft.

It might not seem much but it could help the Tigers secure Naish and retain the second pick if another club bids for the father-son prospect before Richmond's first selection.

Even if the second pick was pushed back after the bidding process, the points may leave the Tigers a valuable spot higher in the draft order in the second round.

Although Tiger fans might prefer to see the Swans eliminated from the premiership race, given their potential to be a tough match-up if they happen to face them in a Grand Final, Richmond supporters could at least find solace in the elevated draft position.

The Tigers will also benefit marginally from a Giants loss to West Coast with its current pick No.50 potentially moving up to pick No.49 depending on semi-final results.

Richmond did not have a top 20 pick last season but has developed a list good enough to make this season's preliminary final.

Geelong's first pick does not arrive until pick No.20 in this season's draft, having switched picks with the Blues as part of the Zach Tuohy trade.

A loss would see the exchange cost it six picks whereas the gap could narrow to just three if it grabbed momentum back and won the flag.

The Cats, who are likely to be in the market for a small forward and will be hoping to get Gary Ablett to the club, could still use a future pick in this year's trade period to secure a trade.