There may be no other team facing more pressure in 2016 than Richmond.
After three straight finals appearances, leading to three straight finals losses, the Tigers simply have no choice but to win a finals game in 2016.
They haven’t lost any talent, instead they’ve added some in Chris Yarren and Jacob Townsend.
Coach Damian Hardwick is in the hot seat this season, as it is well known that CEO Brendon Gale and the Tigers have high expectations. That is one of the by-products of being one of the biggest clubs in Australia.
Hardwick’s job has been questioned year after year but Richmond have stayed loyal to their headman with mixed results. Obviously making three straight finals appearances is nothing to laugh at but time after time the Tigers have had their dreams dashed with finals losses.
Richmond had multiple marquee wins in 2015, as the yellow and black showed glimpses of a potential premiership threat, with victories over Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn. Despite those wins though, no one will remember the 2015 Tigers for those home and away wins.
Richmond have proved they can win primetime matches in the home-and-away season but when the pressure of finals football is on, the Tigers have crawled into their dens.
With an AFL landscape that is becoming more competitive year after year, Richmond are walking the fine line between being a legitimate premiership threat or falling back into the stacked shuffle of mediocre teams fighting for seventh and eighth spot.
Richmond’s list still possesses a bundle of talented players. From undoubtedly the game’s best defender in Alex Rance to the stacked midfield crops of Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin, Anthony Miles, Brendon Ellis, Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin and Shane Edwards, the Tigers definitely have a list capable of competing with the AFL’s best.
Questions arise with the Tigers’ second-tier players though and their depth.
Players such as Dylan Grimes, Nick Vlastuin, Ben Griffiths and Jake Batchelor have yet to prove they can be counted on to perform in the pressure games.
The players below the level of the superstars help teams win finals games, and the likes of Hawthorn and Fremantle always seem to find underrated players that shine in the finals pressure. The Tigers have yet to find those types of players and they desperately need someone to step up if they wish to extend past the first week of the finals in 2016.
Best 22
B: Dylan Grimes, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlastuin
HB: Bacher Houli, Alex Rance, Chris Yarren
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Brendon Ellis
HF: Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards
F: Ben Lennon, Tyrone Vickery, Ben Griffiths
Foll: Ivan Maroc, Brett Deledio, Anthony Miles
INT: Kamdyn McIntosh, Jake Batchelor, Corey Ellis, Jacob Townsend
MVP: Alex Rance
As mentioned, Rance is the AFL’s best defender and it isn’t even a question. Rance had a sensational 2015 season that led to him being named the Tigers’ best and fairest and for good reason. His innate ability to read the play before it happens and then take an intercept mark and use his athleticism to run the ball out of defence has become a staple of Richmond’s game.
Rance averaged 17.4 disposals per game last season but he was ranked first in the entire league in one percenters. Those types of intangibles truly separate Rance from the rest, as his hard-hat mentality allows him to get involved in and under the packs and establish himself as the best player wearing a yellow and black jumper.
Future Star: Anthony Miles
Miles had a breakout year in 2014 and followed that up with an even better 2015, proving his spot as the Tigers’ best young player. Miles averaged 23.6 disposals a game last season and finished 12th in the league in clearances, as his ability to use his running speed to clear the ball and move Richmond forward gives the Tigers an added element in their midfield.
Miles has also proved he can play in the big games, as he was one of the Tigers’ best players in their elimination final against North Melbourne last season, where he had 22 disposals, leading the team. Miles has established himself as one of the leagues best young midfielders and the sky is the limit for the 23-year old.
Make or Break: Dustin Martin
Now, it isn’t make or break for Martin due to his play. He is one of the AFL’s most electric players and can change a game within the space of five minutes. He’s got everything you could ask for in a goal-kicking midfielder and is a fan favourite who averaged 26 disposals per game last season and also finished third in the AFL in kicks.
Martin’s on-field accomplishment cannot be questioned but it is his off-field antics that makes 2016 such a critical year for him. After his chopstick incident over the off-season, Martin faces a huge amount of pressure to clean up his act off the field from this point on and if he doesn’t, the consequences could, and should, be worse than just a fine for Martin.
mattyb
Guest
All good points on Martin but the author made none of these,he has infact praised his onfield performances.It seems it is make or break because a few media types decided to exagurate a story that the Victorian Police have decided hasn't gone outside the law as they see it
Milo
Roar Rookie
The way they have played during the season has imo improved yoy as well as replacing players and improving overall quality. Our wins last year against Sydney SCG after being behind, Freo over there who were unbeaten and Hawthorn are three that spring to mind. 2013 our wins weren't as good and although we beat a lot underneath us, we struggled wth teams in the 8. 2014 we just crawled in to the eight in the last game off the back of Sydney resting its good players and got absolutely whacked by Port in the EF. I don't disagree with you on leadership and my personal view is that Cotchin should not have been reappointed as capitan. Let him play his role without the leadership and make someone like Ivan or Rancey captain while a Vlastuin is in the wings.
David C
Guest
Last year they finished 5th, previous year was 8th. That's an improvement isn't it?
Anonymous
Roar Pro
How is any of the last three seasons an improvement on the previous season? You lack leaders who stand up when the pressure is on, and its the reason I don't see this Richmond side going any further than they already have.
Milo
Roar Rookie
The one I do know was against NM at Hobart last year. He kicked across goal on half back line and it resulted in a turnover and goal. absolute coach killer. But the whole team played sh!te that day. He was certainly one of our best against NM in the EF however. But something to watch...
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I've just got a bit of a memory of immediately prior to that game someone highlighting times where he made some very strange decisions at crucial times in games and lo and behold in that game he ignored the percentages and took the options you'd want him to from an opposition point of view. It's probably not something you'd even consider moving him on for by any stretch, and maybe making a mountain, but still something to keep an eye out for.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Don't think he was on his Mick Malone there. Eg if (and theres always an if) Cotchin and or Reiwoldt had kicked straight in the last quarter from very gettable shots that result may have been different. He's certainly not one who springs to my mind as losing it in crunch situations, Martin. Maybe Im missing something but Ive seen a lot of Richmond games in the past three/four years and he's consistently among the best in most.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Isn't there a knock on him that he has a bit of a tendency to lose it when the pressure is on at crucial parts of the game? He was also one who made some pretty bad decisions as the pressure cranked up in that game against Freo.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Seriously? Not on field that's for sure. Clear second last year in the JDM behind only Alex Rance. Best polling tiger at last years Brownlow. His many indiscretions? Late for training? definitely but that was a few years ago. handcuff salute? who cares. Fingers to pie supporters? - should be rewarded! Most recent 'incident' potentially more serious but cleared of anything except being a (drunken) goat. Nah, I think we look after Dusty unless he's done something seriously wrong.
mattyb
Guest
Make or break for Dustin Martin?
Milo
Roar Rookie
Not much of a Richmond watcher Luke? Adding Chris YarrAn may be a bonus but this season will tell. Personally he's got some work to do to convince his team mates that he's worth it and not a sook based on last year's terrible displays. Troy Chaplin cannot possibly be in the best 22 as most Richmond fans will tell you. Completely overrated and cannot play man on man when the crunch is on. Typically when the pressure was on in the Freo game at the G last year Chaplin guided Houli up the middle instead of out to the boundary leading to the turnover that cost us the game. Both those two are turnover kings Houli more so than Chaplin however I guess Houli gets it more often. Contrary to what you said I believe Grimes and Vlastuin have stood up in pressure games. Batchelor is consistent and getting better and must be in the best 22. If the Yarran experiment works Id prefer him than Houli coming off the HB with Vlastuin on the other side and Batch in the BP. Rance can play fullback or CHB and depending on the match ups Astbury is my preference over Chaplin against the big forwards. The other worth a trial down at CHB is Griffith. Great mark and kick but admittedly needs to learn some more defensive skills. Reece Conca must get a game ahead of Townsend at this point even tho he spent a lot of last season on the injury list. As for future stars id put Corey Ellis in that bracket. Anthony Miles is a current star not future. Oh and Ivan MarIc needs more assistance this year and Id like to see Liam McBean given a lot more game time. Good overhead and on the ground and we need to start developing our next ruckman and if its not McBean we need to find out sooner rather than later. So in summary Chaplin, Houli out and Astbury, Conca in. Hunt is close and used well last year. McBean, Menadue, Drummond, McKenzie and Moore should all get good game time this year. Finals win is critical but importantly they need to keep showing improvement which I believe they have done over the past six seasons.
David C
Guest
Last year for Morris I think. Possibly Sam Lloyd as well. Mature age recruits have a use by date and if you can't make best 22 after a couple of years your gone. Richmond need to play the young talent now.
Dylan Matthews
Roar Guru
Make or Break year for Steve Morris as well, got the heart of a Lion, yet his ball use and stupidity at times is so frustrating for Tigers fans. Definitely agree that he isn't in their best 22 anymore.