In the next few weeks until the start of the 2010 season on 25th March 2010 we will review in depth every 16 clubs. We started off with Fremantle, then the Bulldogs, the Kangaroos and Collingwood. Today we look at Richmond Tigers and see if there is any hope for the year.
After Kick2Kick reviews each club, we will give their full season 2010 predictions like we did last year. If you would like to review a team or something else, please contact us.
What Happened Last Year
Is there any way we could pretend last year didn’t happen? Hopes were high, “The Cuz” was in town, and the bandwagon was full to the brim. It took all of about 30 seconds into the 2009 season for Richo to hit the post and the whole supporter-ship to realise that this was going to be the same season in a different year. But after cleaning out properly, there are at least reasons to believe that there might be hope off somewhere in the distant horizon.
Matthew Richardson has retired so who will step up and lead the club into a new era?
Trent Cotchin continued to bring tiger supporters through the gates when fit enough, and players like Robin Nahas, Angus Graham, Jack Riewoldt, Mitch Morton and Brett Deledio all had glimpses of greatness (to varying degrees), but overall there was little to be excited about in Tigerland.
The New Season
Expectations couldn’t be much lower at this stage: anything more than 5 or 6 wins for the season would be a great effort from the youngest and least experienced list in the comp.
Likely Finish: 14th
Players to Watch
Dustin Martin – In a horrendous game for the Tiges against Hawthorn, Martin was the shining light. He went and got his own ball, and disposed of it in a most un-Richmond like manner under pressure (ie – well). Will get plenty of opportunity in a midfield crying out for exactly that kind of player.
Robin Nahas – Showed that you don’t have to be able to see above the steering wheel to make it in the AFL: Nahas delighted Richmond supporters with his exciting pace, his sneaky ability around goal, and defensive determination. 100 points down in the last and it’ll be Nahas giving chase doggedly.
Tyrone Vickery – Needs to start making an impact on games, and really grow into a genuine player this season if it is ever going to happen. Should play some time up forward as well as in the ruck.
Trent Cotchin – “Cotch” hasn’t yet had a season without injury trouble, but we already love him.
Bench Warmers
Troy Simmonds – Must spend the majority of the time in the VFL, or else somehow re-invent himself as a key forward. Has been kept as insurance policy in case Graham and Vickery don’t develop as well as expected.
Alex Rance – Has been the next big thing for the Richmond defensive line for a few years now, but I’m unconvinced.
Jordan McMahon – “Bloody McMahon!” has long been a catchcry for Tiger supporters – with good reason. Nobody turns the ball over quite like Jordan. The day he gets picked there is likely to be a good old fashioned membership burning down at Punt Road.
Need to Improve
Angus Graham – Showed some glimpses in 2009, but lacked an ability to run out games. Really needs to prove that he should be Richmond’s number 1 ruck.
Jack Riewoldt – Riewoldt has plenty of ability, but needs to settle down to the rhythm of leading, marking and goaling like a real full forward. Tends to forget that he’s not Matthew Richardson, both in marking contests and in front of goal.
Shane Tuck – Poor form last year, and so his poor disposal saw him dropped to the magoos. With an ongoing injury cloud on Foley, he needs to be the experienced campaigner in the midfield.
Your Thoughts
Is anything better than the spoon too much to hope for in 2010? Or is Damien Hardwick taking the reins of a sleeping giant?
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March 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
@Geoff, first thank you for writing the preview, means a lot.
Second who do you see will finish lower than Richmond? Melbourne and ????
March 8th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
@Jermayn – Freo are still a shot to be down there. Can’t see Portbeing world beaters either. But point taken – 14th might still be optimistic.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
In looking at the form so far this year and yes I know its only practice matches etc but Freo and Port have shown more than Richmond imo.
I think Melbourne are about the same (average) and Essendon and Carlton will be two teams that will drop out of the eight but whether they will drop lower than Richmond I do not think so.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Am I crazy or do I still see some of the potential that led me to believe that the Tiges would make the eight last season???
Martin, Cotchin, Deledio, Tambling, Foley and Cousins have the makings of a crack midfield.
Newman, Thursfield and Moore are solid backmen
Morton, Nahas and Riewoldt are all talented forwards.
The obvious deficiencies are in the ruck and depth across the board but surely there is enough young talent there to be optimistic of pinching a few more wins given there will be none of the expectations of last season…
March 8th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
@Deano, your crazy!!! But thats ok, we wont hold it against you
I agree the midfield and the backs looks great but its the forward line where the biggest weakness is imo. Morton, Nahas & Riewoldt do look talented but can they kick enough goals week in/ week out?
However if you add Symmonds and that allows Angus Graham and Tyrone Vickery to mature as the main ruckmen for the next 5-7 years.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:18 am
For mine, Richmond are a lock for 16th… in the start of the worst possible time to bottom out with GC17 & GWS taking all the good draft picks for the next 27 years.
I think Richmond will be beaten about as badly, and as often, as a red-headed kleptomanic step-child.
.-= Danny´s last blog ..uncyherb: @sunrisesister 2x $20 for $30 at Good Guys till next Monday. =-.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:35 am
I must admit @Deano that I think @Jermayn is right: the richmond forward line is a long way away from being good enough. And I think in lots of ways we’ve really struggled to get a solid performance from enough of our midfielders at the same time. So Deledio and Tambling have a good game, only for the rest to go missing, or Foley and Cuz put on a show with no support.
I do think that in the long term, Richmond have a lot of hope: but it’s at least a season or two away.
.-= Geoff´s last blog ..Number 12 =-.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:28 am
@Geoff, if you have Symmonds play full forward with Morton the floating player and Riewoldt at CHF you do not look that bad with Nahas, Deledio (resting up forward) as the small men. A lot of IFs but imo you can build a forward line around Morton & Riewoldt.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:22 am
The best thing about last year for Richmond is that Terry Wallace is no more. I’m quite curious actually did Tigers fans spit on Wallace like they did Frawley? God knows he deserved it just as much or more.
the Tigers have a good looking list of youngsters but i do think this will be the last excuse year for Richmond because alot of these players have been in the system now for a few years. Jordan McMahon has been a nothing player since leaving the bulldogs, which is probably why we got rid of him in the first place/
Let’s hope Hardwick is and has the answer for this down and out club
Also I think one of the greatest football stories in Polak should give the team a bit of inspiration…