The Richmond Tigers finished 12th on the ladder in season 2021.
They had nine wins, one draw and 12 losses. They were unfortunate to miss out on the finals by one and a half wins. There were plenty of injuries that the Tigers were forced to deal with. They only had four players that featured in all 22 games. Those players were Jayden Short, Jack Graham, Liam Baker and Jack Riewoldt.
It was a challenging season for the Tigers as they lost eight games by 20 points or more in season 2021. They didn’t have any players in the AFL All Australian squad of 40 in season 2021. It’s fair to say that they would be disappointed with where they finished on the ladder, but due to that they rejuvenated a bit as they had six debutants.
To be eligible for selection, it’s essential that each player selected featured in at least five games in season 2021. Here are the five players and an honourable mention selected, which the Tigers could least afford to lose based on their performances in season 2021.
Honourable mention: Kane Lambert
Lambert featured in just 13 of 22 games that the Tigers played in season 2021. Despite that, he finished ninth in the Tigers’ best and fairest in season 2021. He averaged the second most score involvements of any Tigers player with an average of 6.23 score involvements per game. He averaged the equal fourth most score assists of any Tigers player with an average of 0.77 goal assists per game.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
5. Toby Nankervis
Nankervis featured in 16 of 22 games that the Tigers played in season 2021. He averaged the most contested possessions of any Tigers player with an average of 10.31 contested possessions per game. He averaged the most clearances of any Tigers player with an average 4.31 clearances per game. He was labelled as a barometer by the Tigers coach Damien Hardwick prior to the first game back for Nankervis from injury, which occurred in Round 18 when the Tigers defeated the Lions.
4. Nathan Broad
Broad is a player that can play on tall or mid-sized forwards. He is a versatile defender that’s difficult to replace. Impressively, he averaged the third most intercepts per game with an average of 6.71 intercepts per game. The Tigers won seven of the 14 games that Broad featured in, which was more on average, which equated to them winning 50 per cent of games with him in the team. They only won two of the eight games that Broad was unavailable to play through injury in season 2021, which equated to the Tigers only winning 25 per cent of games without him.
3. Shai Bolton
He was a pivotal part of the Tigers’ team in season 2021. He had the equal most goal assists of any of the Tigers’ players with an average of exactly one goal assist per game. He may have missed two games, but he averaged the third most score involvements of any Tigers player with an average of 6.05 score involvements on average per game. He finished fourth in the Tigers’ best and fairest by one vote. Therefore, had he played all 22 games he probably would’ve finished in the top two in the Tigers’ best and fairest in season 2021.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
2. Dion Prestia
Prestia featured in nine games, but in one of those nine games he had to be subbed out and he only three disposals in that game. It was in Round 3 against the Swans. They won five of the other eight games. He averaged the second most clearances of any Tigers player with an average of 4.22 clearances per game. He also worked hard defensively as he averaged the third most tackles of any Tigers player with an average of 4.11 tackles per game.
1. Dustin Martin
Martin is a player that’s impossible to replace. He finished equal fifth in the Tigers’ best and fairest, despite featuring in 16 games. He averaged the second most contested possessions of any Tigers player with an average of 9.44 contested possessions. He averaged the second most metres gained of any Tigers player with an average of 383.94 metres gained per game. He averaged the most inside 50s of any of the Tigers players with an average of 5.25 metres inside 50s per game.
Clear as mud
Guest
It’s a fair point and it applied to a Houli and Short as well, and even Baker on occasion. Balta and Vlastuin got the terrible fumbles in some games Plus Castagna and Aarts up front. Some days McIntosh looked the worst player in the comp. We need a better balance between system/roles, and developing footy skills and intelligence into individual players.
Leigh Schneider
Guest
I have no right to put my ignorant opinion up against Nathan Broad's medals, but to me he represents the good news / bad news story of Hardwick's "role players". When he was able to work with Grimes, Astbury, Houli and other more skilled players, he was excellent; but when he was forced to take a greater leading role due to this season's injuries I think he often looked hesitant and turned the ball over far too much (mediocre kicking or caught in possession). It's a problem with role playing that you're not always allowed to stick to your role and hide your other limitations. I shouldn't be judging him solely by either his best work or his worst, but he's lost a lot of his security blanket within the system, so I just hope he can find something extra next season in a backline that will be undergoing major renovations.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Yes you are right, he was a very important member of the team & you are right, Jack's role definitely needed to be filled in his absence. But that original comment of "he has done what Franklin couldn’t" is implying that there is some sort equality in their talent levels. I rank Tom Lynch as an A grade player but no champion. He isn't going to finish his career in the top 40 goal kickers of all time let alone the top 5 goal kickers like Buddy will.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Thanks Ritchie - took the words out of my mouth. He absolutely held that forward line together in 2019. As Dimma says he is valued by the Tiger faithful because without him and Prestia (2019 B&F), there is no Premiership cup in the cabinet!
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
That’s ok Pete - love the hate! Silently cheering Carltons shambles but no love lost between Blues and Tigs.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
You are right MR Right but what I am saying is that he was brought to the Tigers for a reason and whatever happens from here he has fulfilled that purpose. Tigers would not have made the GF in 2019 without Lynch. His 5 goals kept us in the game and was the difference against the Cats. I’m glad you bought up Lockett because he was the best full forward I have seen but as you pointed out, did not win a Premiership, same as God - greatest player I have seen. So in answer to your question yep I take Lynch even though Franklin is a better player because I like to celebrate Premierships.
sven
Roar Rookie
not saying u were (hence the :silly: ), just my poor play on a pun
Windrince
Roar Rookie
lol I'm not wound up mate :laughing:
RT
Roar Rookie
Your interpreting my comments the wrong way. I'm not talking about the GF, nor was I the one who mentioned Buddy. In 2019 Reiwoldt was injured half the year and I don't think the Tigers would have made top 4 without Lynch. He also had a great Prelim.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Tom Lynch kicked 2 goals in the 2019 GF in a game that the Tigers dominated & won by 90 points. No Lynch, no 2019 Premiership, what have you been smoking? Buddy Franklin kicked four goals in the 2014 GF in a game that they lost by 60 points. He kicked 79 goals in that season & came 2nd in the Brownlow behind Gary Ablett. RT, this is really embarrassing stuff you are posting.
RT
Roar Rookie
Regardless, the O is right. No Lynch, no 2019 Premiership. Not just the prelim, but a number of games that year.
sven
Roar Rookie
take it easy windrince, dont get all winded up :silly: ... was just pointing out that the experts often get it wrong
Kane
Roar Rookie
Mrs Hardwick was the biggest loss this year, they need her back.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Please tell me you aren’t comparing Tom Lynch to Buddy Franklin are you? Lynch first 11 years = 384 goals. Franklin first 11 years = 706 goals. In his next 3 years Buddy kicked another 211. Are you expecting 211 goals out of Lynch over the next 3 years? Tom Boyd won a premiership, Robert Harvey & Tony Locket didn’t. Tell me who would draft going back in a time machine. What a stupid analogy.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Yeah but we just don’t like him
Tiger_MBK
Roar Rookie
Broad is handy and was in career best form before his season ending injury but Dylan Grimes is the back-line general and our key defensive asset.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I think I would be putting Lynch is this group, especially with the developments of Chol & the other young big fella packing up their lockers and heading out of Punt Rd.
Windrince
Roar Rookie
I mean I did say that they said richmond would win the premiership but whatever you can avoid reading my comment if you feel like it. The cats were fairly reasonable chances at the flag this year and last year so tipping them was not unreasonable, even if they didn't win
sven
Roar Rookie
prob the same experts that had the cats faves to win the flag this year, & last year for that matter
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Most experts get it wrong every year. Who would have thought Dees and Doggies fight it out for the Premiership!