With Port looking to go a week further than last season, we now move onto the much maligned Richmond who are one of the most unpredictable teams in the league.
Last year
It was a season of halves for the Tigers. They struggled in the first half with only three wins to Round 14, although they had a tough draw.
They finished with a flurry, winning nine on the trot, grabbing eight spot, and sending shivers down the spine of other finalists. The form side of the competition couldn’t replicate their game in the elimination final being demolished by a rampant Port Adelaide. Alex Rance, Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio, and Brandon Ellis all had outstanding seasons while the development of Anthony Miles added depth to the squad.
Next season
The Tigers seem to be one of the most unpredictable teams in the competition, on days looking like world beaters and on others looking like a team low on confidence and direction. The Tigers added former Cat Taylor Hunt providing a ready-made tagging replacement for Daniel Jackson.
If Richmond can find a second tall goal-kicker they could rightly push for a top four spot but Ty Vickery, Ben Griffiths, and Shaun Hampson struggle with consistency and confidence. I have Richmond locked in to finish anywhere between seventh to tenth but providing a team difficult to predict for both opposition clubs and tipsters.
Who to look out for?
Ivan Maric proved to be the heart and soul of Richmond last season with the Tigers struggling early while he sat on the sidelines and then winning nine games in a row when he returned to form.
With only 14 games last season, an injury-free season from the big ruckman could be the catalyst to spiral the Tigers up the ladder. He provides aggression, experience, enthusiasm, and a work-rate that few players can match while also finding a hefty amount of the ball.
Expect the likes of Trent Cotchin, Brandon Ellis, Dustin Martin, and Brett Deledio to grow in confidence with big Ivan hand feeding them in the middle.
Needs a big year
Tyrone Vickery is a heavily scrutinised player who gained more attention after knocking out AFL favourite Dean Cox last season. Vickery has shown glimpses of his ability but struggles with consistency.
His importance to the side is immense providing opposition coaches with something else to think about than sending two or three defenders to Jack Riewoldt and also giving ruck relief. He only managed 14 games in 2014 so the Tigers will be expecting greater consistency and discipline from the big forward this season.
Best 22
FB: Morris, Chaplin, Rance
HB: Vlastuin, Grimes, Houli
C: Ellis, Deledio, Grigg
HF: Martin, Vickery, Miles
FF: Edwards, Riewoldt, Conca
R: Maric, Cotchin, Hunt
I: Newman, Foley, Petterd, Thomas
Josh
Expert
Spot on with the tall forward situation. Guys like Vickery, Griffiths just don't work hard enough to make themselves dangerous and it means Jack gets triple-teamed every time the ball comes in his direction. No one else on their list has ever kicked 40+ goals in a season, barring Chris Knights a couple of years ago when he was at Adelaide. No one in the side other than Jack has managed 30 goals or more in the last three years. A bit more forward line potency, a bit more depth in the midfield and they're laughing - but I'm not sure either of those things is coming any time soon.
Don Freo
Guest
Geez I miss Gene.
Brian
Guest
I'd have Hawks, Power, Swans, Freo & Suns as all finishing above them. Then you have Geelong, North, WCE, Adelaide, Brisbane & Essendon with them in the middle rung, and yes I am being generous putting Geeling & North at their level. Top 4 would be a real surprise.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I don't see this current outfit coming remotely near a flag. Two humiliating week one from exits from finals has surely left its mental mark on the side. Best scenario I think they can realistically achieve is that they either finish 5th or 6th, or they finish 7th or 8th and play against a Melbourne based outfit like the Kangaroos. Would give them a huge groundswell of support if they're at the MCG. But with Sydney, Fremantle, West Coast, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Geelong and the Suns all top 8 possibilities from sides outside of Melbourne, there's every chance they're going to find themselves on the road week one of the finals again. Again, if they even make it.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Too many other teams around them on the climb to be a certainty of the 8. I suspect they are somewhere between 7th and 12th. The problem for them is I think the Crows, Eagles and Gold Coast all have more upside next year, and that will spell disaster for Hardwick, who I suspect will be sacked at the end of next year.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Ninth.
Brian
Guest
I don't remember Port shivering with fear at all. They had the game won by quarter time. Being Richmond I would tip them to miss the 8 and make way for Gold Coast coming in to the 8.
slane
Guest
Richmond didn't have a tough draw last year. They started off poorly because they played the first half of the season without 3 of their best 5 players and have no depth at all. Something that is getting better with each season.