Richmond 2013

[RustyCage]

2012 Ladder Position: 12th
Best & Fairest Winner: Trent Cotchin
Total Goals: Jack Riewoldt 65
Total Disposals: Trent Cotchin 606
Total Marks: Alex Rance 136
Total Hitouts: Ivan Maric 652


New Recruits:

Free Agency Recruits:
Chris Knights - Adelaide
Troy Chaplin - Port Adelaide

Traded Recruits:
Aaron Edwards - North Melbourne

National Draft Recruits:
Nick Vlastuin - Pick No.9
Kamdyn McIntosh - Pick No.31
Liam McBean - Pick No.33
Matthew McDonough - Pick No.42
Passed - Pick 87
Passed - Pick 100

Rookie Draft Recruits:
Ricky Pettard - Pick No.7
Sam Lonergan - Pick No.22
Orren Stephenson - Pick No.36
Cadeyn Williams - Pick No.44
Gideon Simon (International Rookie)

Pre Season Draft Recruits:
Nil.

Out Going

Traded:
Angus Graham - Adelaide

Retired:
Brad Miller
Kelvin Moore

Delisted:
Andrew Browne
Daniel Connors
Piva Wright
Jeromey Webberley
Dean Macdonald
Addam Maric
Gibson Turner
John Heslin

[RustyCage]

The Offseason:
The Tigers Off-Season started with the signature of Mark Williams as a new assistant coach and announced that they are set to embark on improving its development program and will enter a stand-alone reserves side in the VFL from 2014. Former club champion Wayne Campbell was also announced as Coburg’s coach for 2013, before the transition to the stand alone team next year. But as much as the good news of the development side of things was coming along, new recruit Aaron Edwards spent four hours in a police cell after being picked up for being drunk in a public place after big day drinking at the Cox Plate – which wasn’t the greatest start to a new career with the Tigers. Ricky Petterd also brought unwanted attention to the club, for his role - or lack of – in the Boxing Day shenanigans at the MCG which he was recently cleared of any wrong doing.

Trade/Draft/Free Agency:
Before we get stuck into this, it needs to be said that Richmond’s recruiting over the past two years has been as good as both Sydney and Collingwood’s. The demons that have followed Richmond and their recruiting staff for the better part of a decade can be buried, because Richmond’s recruiting, and drafting has been absolutely impeccable.

Richmond entered October and November with a clear list of boxes to tick off. A key defender – tick; a roaming medium size half forward – tick; a small crafty forward – double tick; an insurance ruckmen – tick; and a ferocious on-baller-come tagger – tick. Put all this together, and you’ve got considerable depth. Richmond have been criticised in recent times for their lack of depth, and that too can now be flushed down the toilet as Troy Chaplin, Chris Knights, Aaron Edwards, Ricky Petterd, Orren Stepehnson and Sam Lonergan. Knockers believe that it smelled of desperation, others thought that the “moneyball” approach was simply not Richmond’s style – but whichever way you look at it, the amount of senior players coming into the club can only improve things, rather than derail them.

The draft also delivered some gems, and by gems, I mean diamonds. Nick Vlaustin is the star of the pack, the first round pick who captained Vic Metro to yet another successful National Champion win. But it’s the later picks in Kamdyn McIntosh, Liam McBean and my favourite of the bunch – Matty McDonough who will provide plenty of highlights for many years to come.

The Draft, Trade and Free Agency period was a major success for Richmond, who executed the perfect mix of young talent and mature age players – and if the likes of Shaun Grigg, Bachar Houli and Ivan Maric are anything to go by – it’s quite possible that we are yet to see the best of Lonergan, Petterd, Chaplin, Knights, Edwards and Stephenson.

The Draftees:

The Tigers had been linked too Nick Vlaustin for the majority of the 2012 Off Season and it was for good reason. The Tigers picked the future star with Pick 9, and is seen to be somewhat of a Chris Newman successor, playing a similar driving force role from the backline. Vlaustin is like a bull at a gate, ferocious, tenacious, he is a natural leader who prides himself on his ability to win the contested ball. He will bleed for the jumper, and is the type of bloke that wear’s his heart on his sleeve. He will make the tiger army very proud.

Young key defender Kamdyn McIntosh, has the ability to play on Small and Tall Defenders and is very much in a Dale Morris type of role. He is versatile and creative, and in saying that – he always has a team first attitude, and dominated for WA in the National Championships. He had some big scalps, namely over Joe Daniher, Tim Membry and Kristian Jaksch.

Liam McBean is very much a project player, and is super agile and athletic. At 202cms, he could be forgiven for struggling to get around the ground – but he does so with ease, even playing a lock down defensive role throughout the Championships, as well as stints in the ruck were his freakish pace really stood out. Bean by name, and beanpole by nature – don’t expect to see loads of him at the moment, he will be groomed in the VFL before he gets his opportunity. And onto my favourite – Matty McDonough.

There were stars galore for South Australia in 2012, and it was by far their best outfit for decades. McDonough is the type of player who could quite easily step into the senior line up in 2013, and trouble the likes of King, Nahas and both Edwards boys for small forward stardom. It’s a lot of pressure I’m putting on this young bloke – but the things that he is capable will justify that. McDonough is a dead eye on goal – very much a Stephan Milne player who can destroy teams if you allow him too much space. He is super cool under pressure, and likes to kick the miraculous goals. His forward pressure is something that Dimma will adore, as he makes quite a bit of a splash when tackling and bumping people off the ball.

What To Expect:

The heat is on for the Tigers, and really - it's Top 8 or bust for Richmond in 2013. They have one of the best young lists in the country, and will have to come up with the goods if they are to push out the likes of Carlton, and Essendon for a top 8 position this year. They’ll also be contending with the likes of North Melbourne, Geelong and Fremantle if Carlton and Essendon both look on track to make the 8. It’s a lot to ask of Dimma’s men – but I made the call last year in preseason to say that Richmond won’t make the finals in 2012. I was right, and I will be right this year by not saying anything as of yet! Without getting carried away – Richmond have the ability to finish as high as 5th, and that in all honesty is realistic. Most would agree that Richmond’s list is in better shape now, than it has been for 20 odd years. Big call, yes – but this young group, led by new Captain Cotchin has the markings of a Premiership in the new few years!

With that aside, I have the Tigers finishing roughly 10th, as Essendon and Carlton are a little bit further ahead in their development.

For the Tigers to make the finals Dimma would love to get a fully fit and functioning Tyrone Vickery up and running to really support Jack up forward. The midfield benefits from an equally fit and firing Nathan Foley, and just how good would it be for Grimes to go injury free this year? It’d also be ideal to have David Astbury available, too. The development of Ellis, Rance, Griffiths, Conca and Morris will be paramount, whilst the incoming recycled players will also want to put their best foot forward – especially Chaplin, Knights and Edwards who all look set to play quite a chunk of the season.

With all the hype aside, for Richmond to be serious finals contenders this year, they need to win those close games, and there were several times in 2012 where the Tigers lost games by under 1 goal, that really could’ve been the difference between playing finals, and ultimately not. Injuries also played a vital factor, and it robbed the Tigers of continuity which was quite evident in their game. Another factor that will go a long way to ensuring finals action in 2013, is the bogey team. Yes, it’s Gold Coast. It’s happened twice now, it can’t happen a third. Richmond just have to beat the Suns – and given that they sold those games to raise revenue – it’s starting to look increasingly bad – as was the publicity last year when Karmichael Hunt kicked the goal that won Gold Coast the game last year. Sorry to bring up old wounds, but I’m sure as a Richmond supporter – the past 30 years of pain and suffering far outweighs two – and I’m gonna say it! – ugly, embarrassing, shit poor loses.

Things are becoming exciting for the young cubs, as Richmond look to a new era in 2013. The “Richmond Way” has become extremely appealing, and watching the raw passion unfold from long suffering fans, as well as the players – it’s something that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!

There really is no better song in the AFL, when you hear a packed MCG roar, quite literally “YELLOW AND BLACK!” – it’s great, and it’s time we saw this club play finals and write their own history.

(http://www.facebook.com/theafloffseason?fref=ts)

[cossi11]

Some decent recruiting done over the Summer by the tigers... It gets said every year 'look out for the tigers this year' but we are definitely headed in the right direction. The round 1 clash against the Blues will be a belter this year, will definitely show where we are at in comparison to previous years.

I am predicting a top 8 finish for the tigers this year, and they will not finish 8th, it will be 7th or higher

[scoob]

I'll go out on a limb and predict they finish 9th

[dedja]

Gee, that's a BIG call ...

[MatteeG]

The round 1 clash against the Blues will be a belter this year, will definitely show where we are at in comparison to previous years.

Nope, you'll get a 40+ lesson like every other year.

Be good to see you up the ladder though.

[cossi11]

The round 1 clash against the Blues will be a belter this year, will definitely show where we are at in comparison to previous years.

Nope, you'll get a 40+ lesson like every other year.

Be good to see you up the ladder though.

i dunno, i think it'll be a lot closer than people think... although it was pretty close last year, got to within 6 points i think and then they piled on about 6 goals

[Baron Greenback]

I reckon the Tiges will push for the top 4 this year. Probably won't get there, but could be around the mark.
Not so much on the back of their new players, but more so the development of young guys like Cotchin, Martin, Ellis and Morris etc.
6th for me.

[Squids]

Hardwick wont last the season.

[the joker]

Hardwick wont last the season.

You won't be saying that after round 1, certainties to finish higher than the blues

[Turbo]

Hardwick wont last the season.

You won't be saying that after round 1, certainties to finish higher than the blues

Did someone say Ninthmond!!!

[Squids]

Hardwick wont last the season.

You won't be saying that after round 1, certainties to finish higher than the blues

You may be right. However Richmond are still extremely average and will not make the 8.

Great recruiting

Knights ---- spud
Chaplain --- king spud
Edwards --- spud of all spuds


Mixed in with only a handful of quality players it will be another long season for the Tigers.

[The Dark Knight]

Hardwick wont last the season.

You won't be saying that after round 1, certainties to finish higher than the blues

Did someone say Ninthmond!!!

So then that means Carlton will finished 10th.

[Squids]

Hardwick wont last the season.

You won't be saying that after round 1, certainties to finish higher than the blues

Did someone say Ninthmond!!!

So then that means Carlton will finished 10th.

Tenthton

doesn't have to the same ring to it.

[Turbo]

Hardwick wont last the season.

You won't be saying that after round 1, certainties to finish higher than the blues

Did someone say Ninthmond!!!

So then that means Carlton will finished 10th.

Well you never know. Thought they were supposed to beat us both times last year. Maybe this is their year

[Brad]

Must be nearing footy season, Squids and Turbo stirring the pot!

[stan]

The round 1 clash against the Blues will be a belter this year, will definitely show where we are at in comparison to previous years.

Nope, you'll get a 40+ lesson like every other year.

Be good to see you up the ladder though.

i dunno, i think it'll be a lot closer than people think... although it was pretty close last year, got to within 6 points i think and then they piled on about 6 goals

Well you almost had them last year in that game, Still I dont think playing Carlton will "show you where you were at" considering there form last season.

[stan]

Hardwick wont last the season.

You won't be saying that after round 1, certainties to finish higher than the blues

Well at some point in time Hardwick will need to be looked at. The tigers have a much better list than there results suggest.

[GWW]

Chaplin is very soft and makes a lot of clangers, but can be handy when played as a loose man in defence.

Knights is probably past it, but a change of scenery may rejuvenate his career.

I don't mind Edwards, who's coming over from North. He can play decent footy from time to time.

The Tigers' time has arrived, they need to start showing some consistency and they're a good chance to make the finals. I'll tip them to finish 8th.

[Turbo]

Must be nearing footy season, Squids and Turbo stirring the pot!