After three straight elimination final losses, the Tigers have high expectations for this season.
Richmond have consistently beaten top-four teams, but consistency and pressure seem to get to them.
Will this year be any different?
Defence
Richmond ranked fifth-least in opponent points per game (behind Hawthorn, Fremantle, West Coast and Sydney) last season, led by the best defender in the game, Alex Rance.
The Tigers’ small defenders weren’t an issue, with Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli and Dylan Grimes having exceptional seasons, but many supporters would like to see the back of Troy Chaplin.
David Astbury and Todd Elton are both promising youngsters, while the inclusion of Chris Yarran should see the removal of Taylor Hunt.
Midfield
With genuine stars but lacking depth, the Tigers will hope off-season acquisitions Andrew Moore and Jacob Townsend add grunt and build their midfield clearance numbers.
Captain Trent Cotchin leads the midfield group, with Dustin Martin, Brandon Ellis and Anthony Miles. Miles is a criminally underrated player, ranked 12th in contested possessions and clearances in the league last season. Brett Deledio and Shane Edwards both push through, while players like Reece Conca, Kamdyn McIntosh, Corey Ellis, Kane Lambert and Ben Lennon need to stand up.
Forwards
Two-time Coleman medallist Jack Reiwoldt had a career-best season last year, and is in his prime. Second tall Tyrone Vickery is set for a breakout year if he can avoid suspension. After kicking 31 goals from 15 games last year, the Tigers are expecting a 50-goal season from him.
Deledio and Shane Edwards are two of the best half forwards in the game and will continue to play great football in 2016.
The main issue is in small forward stocks, and a third tall. Nathan Gordon and Sam Lioyd were both in the team at stages last year, but they won’t be a part of a premiership team. Ben Griffiths has loads of potential but injuries and inconsistency hurt his development – he and new draftee Daniel Rioli have big roles to play this year.
Rucks
Ivan Maric was slowing down last year, yet is still their number one ruckman. Shaun Hampson is just not a good footballer, and Liam McBean seems too skinny to come in.
If Maric goes down, the Tigers are in strife.
Predicted finish
Fourth
Ben Somes
Roar Rookie
What about Collingwood, Bulldogs and GWS?
Ben Somes
Roar Rookie
I think if they're good enough to finish 4th, they're a better chance to win a final. If they go out in straight sets... jeez image that
Stewie
Guest
Agreed re. Richmond's depth. It's that which will be the main reason why they won't win a premiership in this window I believe. Had great fun debating with some numpties who thought Richmond had better youth than Collingwood!
William Cornwill
Roar Guru
Vlastuin is a very good footballer, one of our better players. Nearly unbeatable 1v1
bob burra
Guest
For the tigers to be a genuine top 4 team they need to players step up and cover the likes of Cotchin, Deledoi, Martin, Rewolt ( apologies if mis-spelt). I find that when two or more of tha afre said are blanketed the tigers struggle. Fix that and you are on your way.
Rabaul
Guest
Richmond will make 8 but not the Top 4. Hawks, West Coast, Freo, Swans and Geelong still ahead of the Tigers. North Melbourne and Port Adelaide on a par with Richmond.
Wilson
Roar Guru
Brad agree that WCE, Freo, Hawks as the top teams and better then Tigers at the moment. But they have pushed those teams on more then one occasion and will most likely do it again this year. Swans have lost too much experience over the off season and PA with the loss of the 2 players that would be the first one picked will hurt them more then a lot of people think.
Don Freo
Guest
It is 2016 now. That is archetypal Wiggy. So far off the pace. Dermie and Platts gave finished.
WhereIsGene
Guest
Hardwick would prefer they win one, otherwise he's gone you'd think.
WhereIsGene
Guest
Port's stirring victory over Freo at home in the 2014 finals perhaps.
Paul D
Roar Guru
"who probably aren’t going to be the reason you lose but also aren’t going to be the reason you win. " That's a great line.
Don Freo
Guest
You wrote 4 more lines of capital letters after END OF STORY. It wasn't the end at all.
Don Freo
Guest
On what do you base your optimism for Port? Richmond makes a better case than Port.
Josh
Expert
Yeah but then you have to have your heart broken twice rather than just once!
Josh
Expert
They've had a habit in recent years of recruiting mature footballers which I think is largely a plan to fast track the development of depth within the squad - guys like Kane Lambert last year who probably aren't going to be the reason you lose but also aren't going to be the reason you win. Gordon and Lloyd as you mention are in the same boat. It's not necessarily a problem that their top few players aren't always on their game, because that's true of any team in the league, but the problem is that on those days the rest of the team isn't good enough to pick up the slack. Adelaide have a similar a problem, I think (which will get worse without Dangerfield, but may get better due to Seedsman/Hampton/Menzel/Gore). Mental fortitude - hard to look at objectively obviously, but the team is overwhelmingly short on finals experience and particularly winning finals experience. A lot of the players can be really good quality performers in the home and away but just collapse under the pressure of a finals match. Not to name names but Bachar Houli is one who stands out to me like that. They just don't have players who are confident of their ability to perform in finals, because they've ever had the chance to develop that confidence - that's what I mean by mental fortitude.
mattyb
Guest
You'd think they'd rather finish 4th?
Joe
Guest
Would Richmond/their fans rather finish 5th and lose one final or finish 4th and lose two finals?
mattyb
Guest
I could possibly see Richmond making the top 4. It's appears they can have purple patches and go through long winning periods. It also seems they can beat anyone when they are firing. On the other hand some of there players can go missing and they can lose a few on the trot at times. Consistent will be the key,as it is to make the top 4,but ability doesn't seem to be there major weakness. Become more consistent and they might just give this year a shake.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
So, what are you trying to say Phil?
TomC
Roar Guru
Depth is something of a problem, at least in terms of developing players. Apart from Brandon Ellis, their draftees of recent years aren't really stepping up and becoming the damaging players they need. Lennon is patchy, Vlastuin, Gordon, McIntosh and Lloyd look like good ordinary footballers. Things just haven't quite come together for them. I'm not convinced about mental fortitude, but it'd certainly help if Cotchin could rediscover his 2012 form.