Richmond’s AFL empire is crumbling but coach Damien Hardwick is refusing to give up on the season despite the Tigers crashing to a fourth straight defeat.
Hopes of a premiership three-peat have evaporated in recent weeks but Sunday’s capitulation at the MCG, where they led Collingwood by 29 points during the third quarters, leaves Richmond in tatters.
The most successful club of the past five years will end round-17 in 12th on the ladder at 7-9 with even their chances of a finals appearance fading.
“Whilst there’s a pulse, there’s always a chance,” Hardwick when asked if Richmond could make the top-eight.
“We’ll just continue to build our brand and invest in some generation-next kids that are coming through and seeing how they go.
“Some real positives to take out of today’s game from our younger players, which is good.”
Richmond have just five days to respond as they face premiership contenders Brisbane at the MCG on Friday in Tigers veteran Jack Riewoldt’s 300th game.
Their injury list, which contains premiership heroes Toby Nankervis, Nick Vlastuin, Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert, Dion Prestia, Noah Balta, Bachar Houli and Nathan Broad, could have ruckman Mabior Chol added to it.
Chol rolled his ankle during the first quarter against Collingwood but played out the game when Marlion Pickett was forced to take ruck duties.
He will be assessed during the week but Hardwick says Chol will be no certainty to face the Lions.
“I’m not sure we’ll get anyone back at this stage; they’re all probably doubtful,” Hardwick said.
“It is what it is. We lick our wounds and we give guys another opportunity and find some players that are going to come up.
“We had some promising performances in the VFL so we’ll look at some of those players.”
One of the only positives for Richmond was youngster Sydney Stack’s solid return outing in his first game since last year following a series of off-field indiscretions.
“It’s what he does with the knowledge that he takes out of the journey thus far, but more importantly, what he learns and grows from it,” Hardwick said.
“He was pretty good today, but we know how good he can be so I want to see what he does with it.
“He’s too good a player to be not playing AFL, and he’s got a chance now so we’ll see how he goes.”
sven
Roar Rookie
still has me beat how a team full of spuds managed to snare 3 out of the last 4 flags ... all an A(V)FL conspired outcome i spose ...
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Medals for what? The only medals he would have would be the team medals that every other premiership player throughout history has. They are no indicator of playing abilty. Nankervis is only of use when you play a team that has less than average ruckmen. You have to do more than drift back to the past if you want to make a contemporary comment.
Clear as mud
Guest
I don't have a problem, He doesn't have a problem. Just 3 medals. Jacobs: 0. Mumford: 0. Ryder: ? Stanley: 0. and so on down the order of top 10 or top 1 million ruckmen that Nank can't even dream of joining. Your problem is the Brodie Grundy's of the world who may be the latest Graham Teasdale but will never win a flag. (Teaser played with Tempany who you've never heard of.) "Not particularly useful". Sometimes you really take it to the limit, one more time. Note to self: don't engage.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I don't doubt you might think Nank is Richmond's best ruckman. The problem you have is that he is not competitive against the top 10 ruckmen in the comp. That means he's not particularly useful.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's the comment of person who doesn't know players from other clubs. Lynch is certainly overpaid on the basis of what he delivers.
Clear as mud
Guest
you are also wrong about Nankervis. He is vital to our centre structure as he can get his own ball and has a touch of the Mumford's about his chase and tackle. and then he has a great defensive mark, unlike Chol who has hands of butter, which he might have caught from Balta. an original pick 35 who came to Richmond for pick 46 with only 12 games under his belt. brought in as cover for Hampson and Griffiths and to mature, then had to ruck single handedly aged 23 and undersized. and 4 years and 81 games later, is a triple premiership player, a proven big game performer. in the Mike Green and Clark Keating mould, even Shaun Rehn (Rehnny was better, but Nank's impact has been huge.) you should show a bit more respect, at least some of the time.
Clear as mud
Guest
the planet in which Taberner is a better player than Lynch, I would love to visit it some day. Lynch could kick 80 goals at a year at club that played old timey footy. (if I was him, I might consider looking for one, if things keep imploding at Punt road and we don't make him skipper.) Taberner is good to my eyes. Lynch very good.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yep. He's one player I'd take but he'd need a few rough, self-centred edges disciplined off him. A more substantial version of big Rory. Mind you, when Sam Sturt is back and we go with only 2 tall forwards and a medium tall, Lynch would stand behind Tabs and Treacy and have to compete with Rory whenever we need a third tall. Peel would love him. Midgets there.
clear as mud
Guest
i'm not surprised either, given I have been saying a version of that on here for weeks. what you say about reading your own comments etc Lynch should lead us out of this. i would make him captain. have said so for weeks. is a reformed man and presenting despite the deranged delivery. marking well and kicking goals. can't ask for more. he'd almost get a game at Freo I suspect
Clear as mud
Guest
in hindsight, I started the demise this year with an act of vanity, wearing the Tiger scarf to Giants when we watched the Dees dismantle the Lions. my chat with Craig Lambert that night must have stirred some bad juju, like the Brady Boys taking that tiki statue from the cave in Hawaii. then doing the ladder predictor before the Eagles game - and boatsing about it - unlocked the Hellmouth and the ubervamps took hold it's only by Cotch dyeing his hair peroxide white and sarificing himself to the daylight that we will vanquish the invaders and bring peace to Sunnydale. meanwhile a hundred potentials will stir around the world. all thinking, I could coach them. Fort Dix! Fort Dix!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Let's see him lead you out of this mess then. I'm not surprised you weren't inclined to defend the rest. the rest
Clear as mud
Guest
shazam! Rock and roll's nicest guy Pete Oxley playing in Ed Kuepper's band. them were the days
Clear as mud
Guest
you are wrong about Lynch
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No. Your injured players are not significant outs. The early outs (your senior players) are no longer up to it. Cotchin and Edwards are finished. Martin is semi-retired, Lynch is a front-runner, Astbury is too slow for the AFL now, Broad is weak without the props around him, Houli is finished and Nankervis has a reputation that has grown since he stopped being on the field (the Richmond PR machine). Your only star is Balta but he's not as good, for instance, as Cox or Hamling. Prestia is ok but not as good as Stephen Hill, Sam Sturt, Heath Chapman or Hayden Young. Neither is Kane Lambert. Freo still has those injuries and are still winning games. Why can't Richmond? I'll tell you... Richmond's problem is a coach whose focus is on his domestic mess and young players who give more attention to image and play than they do to their profession. Richmond is a shambles. Watch Benny Gale abandon ship and head for the mother ship.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
You might be right Cat, the flags the Eagles won were against the Cats – maybe that does mean nothing!
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Don your the first one to admit Tigers are an average team. So if they can’t get their best team out on the park they are not going to be competitive.
Clear as mud
Guest
Yeah why not!?
nics
Roar Rookie
Eagles probably facing the same dilemma. Do you turf a premiership-winning coach 3 seasons ago when the team is barely in the 8, having just lost a game to the wooden-spooners at home?
nics
Roar Rookie
It is particularly disappointing for Nic Nat and Sheppard who have basically given their all and missed out on a flag due to the rest of their teammates not cracking in all the time. Gaff I have less sympathy for given his was self-inflicted.
nics
Roar Rookie
Sounds excellent - hope all goes well with the lockdown. Wife got me an Anova Oven for my birthday, so I've been playing around with it - roasts have never been the same!