Valiant. Brave. Gutsy.
In footballing parlance, these synonyms tend to be used to describe the efforts of bad teams that are having a crack.
These adjectives have been used for the Tigers at times to start season 2024. Despite the likely grand ideas Adem Yze had when taking over, Richmond is a bottom-four team in the competition this season. They were terrible against the Suns, performed well against the odds against Carlton and had decent moments when hosting Port Adelaide, all teams with finals expectations at the very least.
The effort is mostly there, but the quality and consistency aren’t and the quicker that Yze and his coaching staff embrace the rebuild, the better it will be for everyone.
Between 2017 and 2020, Richmond extracted every bit out of its talent pool and the results were spectacular. Since then, it’s been a steady decline, an inundation of injuries, fluctuations of form and just generally, a sense of success fatigue.
The changing of the guard has been apparent, the new coach has taken over, recruiting manager Matthew Clarke has gone to the Eagles and we’ve already seen opportunities given to some of the team’s youth. Now, it’s fully time to lean into the rebuild in order to accelerate coming out on the other side in a few years’ time, instead of striving for mid-table finishes that’ll mire the club in mediocrity.
Adem Yze. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
There aren’t too many fixtures that can be pencilled in as a win for the Tigers this season – they face Sydney, St Kilda, West Coast, Melbourne and Fremantle in their next five contests and will back themselves against the Western Australian teams, at different venues.
All of this is perfectly okay mind you – that four-year stretch was magical and worth the current state of the team. Right now though, Yze needs to lean into the rebuild, as the Tigers have an opportunity in 2024 to boost a list that’s lacking in the type of top-end quality youth that all their competitors seem to have.
Certainly, there are players with good potential and we can expect them to play in the majority of the games this year. It’s incredibly unfortunate that Josh Gibcus will lose a second consecutive season through injury, as the club’s only top-ten pick since 2012.
Perhaps Tyler Sonsie is the face of the high-end potentiality at the Tigers, Kane McAuliffe was a bargain pick in 2023 and has that sort of upside too. Seth Campbell has fit in seamlessly across half-forward and there are others like Judson Clarke, Tom Brown, James Tresize and Sam Banks that are obvious long-term pieces, among other names.
It’s important for Richmond fans to draw a line when it comes to the trade/free agency period and not dwell too much on the past. In particular, the ‘lost gamble’ for Tim Taranto and more pertinently, Jacob Hopper, involving the movement of future firsts can easily be ostracised.
Jordan De Goey breaks away from an attempted tackle by Dion Prestia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Those players didn’t join the club to go back down to the bottom of the ladder – whether they usher in the new generation or seek different avenues forward in the future remains to be seen.
Liam Baker and Shai Bolton are demanding attention from WA teams for trade and contract pickups, Nathan Broad falls in that bracket too. Dustin Martin might be nearing the end, Dion Prestia’s all but gone one way or another, as is Dylan Grimes.Ultimately, the Tigers are in a position where they’ll need to make decisions moving forward and it’s time to be decisive in them.
A full-on cull never works, hello North Melbourne, but backing in the right guys to lead the younger generation forward is key to making a rebuild work.
As things stand, Richmond has one first-round pick, two second-round picks, three third-round picks and three fourth-round picks. On paper, it mightn’t be the most appealing hand, but there’s genuine potential for this to turn into a significant year for the Tigers to improve their list.
Baker’s decision will be his alone. He’ll be worth whatever contract he demands and is likely a future captain if the Tigers are able to keep him, but if his heart is set on heading home, a trade should be able to be negotiated to improve Richmond’s draft hand.
Player movements aside though, 2024 is a year where the Tigers will attack the draft. Brisbane and Carlton will need to collect points for father/son picks, there’s potential for Gold Coast and Port Adelaide to be interested in later picks too.This was the intention of Clarke who, before leaving the club, ensured that there’d be opportunities for the Tigers to attract one or even two more first-round picks in 2024.
They own their first-round pick which is important, as it’ll almost certainly come in the top five. It’s way too early to be able to predict the top end of the draft, other than to say that it’s small midfielders currently dominating discussion while the bigger bodies and talls will be given time to work into it this season.
Crucially though, this looms as a draft with a number of key forwards in the top-25 range overall, which indicates an intentionality in the timing of possessing a strong draft hand for the Tigers. If Noah Balta is swung back into defence as he arguably should, that end is covered and securing midfield and key forward talent can be the focus of the recruitment team.
One would think it’d be good to lean into that line of thinking when playing out this entire season. If the Tigers believe they’ll focus on key forwards in the draft, playing undermanned offensively this season can help shore up their defensive structure while almost guaranteeing they finish towards the bottom of the ladder.
The obvious example comes from the NBA, where the Oklahoma City Thunder had their target, a centre in the form of Chet Holmgren and with that in mind, played a heavy centre-less rotation until he was drafted, then ready to return from injury. Slotting in serviceable players in the role allows for tactical development for the existing group, then adding in the key player immediately boosts the team into the upper echelon; OKC’s rebuild went from being one of the worst teams in the NBA two seasons ago to being a contender this year.
Yze mightn’t have all the talent he wants at the moment, but what he does have is the personnel to start curating his desired tactical makeup and educating his players, while getting Richmond access to as much talent as they can. That, ultimately, is what 2024 is all about at Tigerland.
It’s admirable to be competitive, to show great spirit and the heart that will gain the respect of many. As true as it may end up being throughout the season though, it simply cannot be the defining characteristic of a team before their rebuild begins.
The Richmond Football Club has entered rebuild mode and the quicker it’s embraced, the better it’ll be.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
yes they were and none of them were early draft picks. that's what I'm talking about, whenever we cash up and have multiple early draft picks, we botch it.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
The player I overrate the most is Baker and probably Bolton. I didn’t select Dusty in the AA squad last year and I do believe he should stay at the club and is good for the youngsters coming through. Had Lynch played a full 2022 he would have won the Coleman. It’s only round 3 and people are talking about trading these 2 guys. People place too much value on unproven draft picks. Our recruiting has been solid, Baker, Grimes, Lambert, Nank, Houli were all players recruited under the noses of other clubs and became multiple Premiership players. I have questions over Dow and think either him or Sonsie get the nod but don’t think both
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Well, we invented thongs, so we like our stuff
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
You overrate everyone on that list at least 20% compared to me. Doesn’t make you wrong. Although Dow - Dow shall not play. He looks very far away from the level. FWIW I thought we were pretty awful against a spluttering Port. 2.5 quarters against a side around the same mark is way off what is required. I could see us easily winning 3/4 games max this year. Not bothered by it, we just should plan for it and use it IMHO But I have no faith in us spending 4 draft picks in the same draft and nailing it. It’s not really on our DNA. Or we are terrible at development.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
He was pretty rubbish to about round 8. Which may have been reasonable given the team and the coach and the move. Needed to go another level this year. He has. Downwards…
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
I am fine if we lose by 100, even to the swans I am old and have faith. I just want us to make the rebuild as good and interesting as possible. Logan’s Run time…
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
It looks that way but they barely get a look in.
Shane
Roar Rookie
Yes, I agree. Richmond's list really lacks young talent. Two big trips to the draft could turn it around.
Shane
Roar Rookie
Taranto has good years and bad years. Thought last year was a good year.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Not really they would be 22 and 23 now and we have lots of those types
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Wiki we all have a different take. Apart from 1 and a half quarters against the Suns I am pretty wrapped on how the Tigers are going. We lost 3 guys to Carlton essentially by quarter time, no wonder we tired at the end. 6 changes to Port and Hinkley had to change his jocks at half time. We found Campbell, Ross is coming on Brown, Trezise and Dow are getting a look in. Tragic about Gibcus, he is a 200 gamer. McCauliffe looks like the steal of the Draft and vindicates the Hopper trade, who was travelling well until injured. Tarranto is a winner, people have forgotten he won the Beat and fairest and finished high in the Brownlow. Dusty is not done, he was a gun in the second half of the season and in AA contention. Obviously carried an injury last start. There is too much short termism, we are still competitive after having such success. The Club is on track, I have faith in the administration. No doubt there are some guys young and old who are probably in their last season, which are on notice. As Derm said we have mileage to trade our draft picks and could end up with 2 first rounders and 2 second, which would be perfect! :thumbup:
okapiman
Roar Rookie
catch a plane to adelaide... it is deliverance country.. thongs are the high end footwear..
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Wiki, you’re good at history, tell everyone what happened the last time we lost to the Swans by 100. Have faith young man! Dimma was 0 and 9 in his first year. I would take that this year to get the same result over the next 10!
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Taranto peaked very early in his GWS career. He needs to relearn how to kick the ball, or how to distribute by hand. I thought the giants had a good thing going when they frequently rotated Taranto with Toby forward to on the ball and it worked a charm for the Giants
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah that’s what the NRL does, I think Richmond have bigger problems than Marlion Picketts brush with justice
Shane
Roar Rookie
I would say so far Hopper is a mild pass and Taranto a win who kept you in many games last year. However, they were the wrong players at the wrong time. If they were 4 years younger they would have made sense.
Shane
Roar Rookie
They're artistic bogans, a paint brush in one hand, a bong in the other.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
I can’t see how chopping him while a trial proceeds is justice Perhaps standing him down would be appropriate
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I don’t disagree with the initial decision to bring Pickett in, I think it’s great particularly after he rose to prominence in documentary series with Andrew Krakouer. But the fact that he has reoffended potentially and in such a prominent way means they need to draw a line in the sand. Your points on lynch are good, he is still a good player but he doesn’t have any key forwards that complement him. Your right about Riewoldt as well he was extremely spring heeled I think largely because he was across two periods of morphology and size for key forwards. At the start of his career Matthew Lloyd was at the peak of his powers now he had exceptionally good set shot that’s why he was able to kick 929 goals and I have little doubt that he would’ve gotten over 1000 had he been able to finish his career in his preferred position. Jack was a little bit taller and more athletic but not as tall or as athletic as is the current trend among key forwards
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
i meant who clubs would want. Bolton. Baker is a keeper. Gibcus could be another top 10 fail. (all clubs have them, no knock on the kid.) -- the point I make about Taranto and Hopper initially relating to age structure is relevant here. we have an incredible hollow middle of the list. we played Port and both teams had almost the same number of games and average age. Port had 7 players 100-200 games and "young" Butters already 95 games. Nobody under 10 games. Boaky with 350 games off the chart but only Charlie and Wines above 200. A list with a great age structure hitting its absolute sweet spot - and most of them playing together for many years, under the same coach and system... look out for Port. Richmond... also had 5 guys 100-200 games. many plodders and foot soldiers. 4 players under 3 games! 4 guys with 200+ games, only Lynch and Vlastuin with a future (sorry Dusty). no sense in 20-100 games that they are going to explode and transform the team.... Balta (maybe, needs a role); Dow shall now play!; Mansell; Miller; Pickett; Ross. it's hard to see any improvement coming through and it's the middle of the list (age and talent) that is as much a problem as the ageing "stars" and the "questionable youth". so popping Hopper and Taranto to brace the list must have seemed a smart move (notwithstanding we paid overs, but they were both contracted...) can't see any trade bait in that last group, maybe Ross, and maybe that will see him get games (maybe he will prove me wrong and really step up - hopefully he does, seems a good "kid", does some very good things - just not enough.) -- one last word.... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!