2021 - Richmond

[GVGjr]

Will chaos versus control bring the Tigers more success in 2021? (https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-outlook-will-chaos-versus-control-bring-the-tigers-more-success-in-2021/news-story/2871a6686966dda83b6de23643a99afe)

Richmond’s frenzied style of football has delivered it three premierships in four years. But do the Tigers need to change things up next season?

After three premierships in four years – including winning the historic night Grand Final in 2020 – the big question is can Richmond claim another flag next season?

Glenn McFarlane takes a look at how the Tigers are shaping up ahead of their assault on the 2021 season.

INS: Samson Ryan (Western Magpies), Maurice Rioli Jnr (Oakleigh Chargers)

OUTS: Jack Higgins (St Kilda), Oleg Markov (Gold Coast), Luke English (delisted), Fraser Turner (delisted), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (delisted)

COACH STATUS

As a three-time premiership coach at the top of his game, it’s hard to see Damien Hardwick going anywhere anytime soon.

Hardwick is already contracted for next year, but will likely sign on the dotted line with an extension before the start of next season.

Next year will be his 12th season as coach.

He passed Tom Hafey’s games record as Richmond coach this year and will aim to equal the legendary coach’s tally of four premierships in 2021.

He might yet look back on the 2020 flag in the COVID-shortened season as his greatest flag yet, steering the club over a few in-season hurdles.

GAME PLAN

Chaos beat control in the Grand Final and that style has been Richmond’s pathway to three flags and a preliminary final loss across the past four seasons.

The Tigers’ brand holds up in the heat of September (or October if you consider this year), with their average winning margin in finals exceeding five goals.

The game plan hasn’t changed much since that breakthrough 2017 season, but the players keep sticking to the system that works.

They like to outnumber at stoppages and pull a forward, such as Kane Lambert, into the midfield which allows Dustin Martin to head forward.

The Tigers are the second-best in the AFL at taking the ball from defence to attack and they boast the second-best inside 50 differential, often winning repeat entries.

Their pressure element is strong.

TRADE TABLE REPORT

The aim was to keep as many players as they could rather than chasing new faces in the trade period.

While they lost Jack Higgins and Oleg Markov to rival clubs, there was a sigh of relief when Jack Graham rejected a deal to join the Blues.

Higgins will be a loss in that he his a constant ball of enthusiasm and could cause the Tigers some regret if he excels in the St Kilda forward line alongside another ex-Tiger in Dan Butler.

Still, when you win three premierships in four years, you can’t keep a list together forever.

THEIR 2020 DRAFT HAUL

There were limited changes to the Tigers’ playing list with limited draft action.

Most of the focus will be on Maurice Rioli Jnr who could get a small window to show his untapped talent at stages of 2021, but he won’t be rushed.

He is still raw and needs time to develop.

Regardless of whether he plays in 2021 or not, it was one of the great stories of the post-2020 season – the son of Richmond great, the late Maurice Rioli Snr finding a new home at Punt Rd alongside cousin Daniel.

Twenty-year-old Samson Ryan – a Tigers’ fan as a kid – is a long-term ruck project who came through the Brisbane Lions Academy.

He is an investment for the future.

PLAYERS THEY CAN REINVENT

Could the Tigers try something different with best-and-fairest winner Jayden Short, who has been so important rebounding off the half-back-flank?

It would be a bold move to shift Short, given he won the club’s best and fairest in a premiership year, but that’s something the Tigers haven’t been afraid of doing in recent seasons.

He has been a key part of a rock-solid Richmond defence, but given the depth of talent in that zone, Short could be moved up one line and maybe even find a new home on the wing.

His penetrating play and run and dash would be equally suited there and let’s face it, the Tigers already have a defence that is the envy of rival clubs.

The other focus could shift to Mabior Chol and his willingness and ability to shoulder ruck burdens if Toby Nankervis misses any games.

Chol has shown he has the talent, but can look on occasions as if he misjudges the pace and urgency to the game.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Jake Aarts was stiff not to have a premiership medal around his neck by season’s end after performing so well in 14 games in his debut AFL season.

He just lost his spot at the wrong time, but took it with good grace.

He has won a new deal and can now cement his role as a pressure small forward.

Jack Ross is also contracted until the end of 2022 and can try and lock away a more permanent spot.

This is an extremely tough unit to break into and midway through the year the Tigers would have had expectations that Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones would be pushing for selection, but both have set themselves a long way back.

BEST 22 FOR NEXT SEASON

B: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Nick Vlastuin

HB: Jayden Short, Noah Balta, Bachar Houli

C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett

HF: Kane Lambert, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards

F: Jason Castagna, Tom Lynch, Shai Bolton

Foll: Toby Nankervis, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin

Inter: Liam Baker, Jack Graham, Nathan Broad, Daniel Rioli

CHAMPION DATA SAYS

Good: The Tigers led the AFL for both time in forward-half differential and points scored from forward-half turnovers.

Bad: Richmond ranked 15th for both clearance differential (-3.6) and points generated from stoppages (18.6) across 2020.


FINISH THE LAST FIVE YEARS: 2016: 13th. 2017: Premiers. 2018: 3rd. 2019: Premiers. 2020: Premiers

TAB PREMIERSHIP ODDS: $4; Top 4: $1.60; Top 8: $1.10

[comrade]

I still remain pretty baffled on how Richmond transformed themselves into a juggernaught post 2016. Dustin Martin obviously went supernova in 2017 and beyond but looking at some of the names in their best 22, I just don't get HOW they're so good.

[GVGjr]

I still remain pretty baffled on how Richmond transformed themselves into a juggernaught post 2016. Dustin Martin obviously went supernova in 2017 and beyond but looking at some of the names in their best 22, I just don't get HOW they're so good.

And they have lost players with some experience along the way but still managed to not require a rebuild.
I'm a bit like you, when you look at their list they shouldn't be such a dominate team but if you trust the system and have players willing to execute it you can do wonders

[Twodogs]

They did not have a player called Derek Eggmolesse-Smith! That's brilliant.

I reckon that they will go pretty well again I reckon. Now I feel sickly.

[Twodogs]

I still remain pretty baffled on how Richmond transformed themselves into a juggernaught post 2016. Dustin Martin obviously went supernova in 2017 and beyond but looking at some of the names in their best 22, I just don't get HOW they're so good.

Everyone knows what their role is and they play that role well.

[jeemak]

They have great system and quality players playing key roles for them. I think it's a bit of a myth that they're not stacked with high quality or elite talent, but that's the narrative the media wants to peddle and that's fine.

Additionally I think the competition has been a bit hit and miss and Richmond have been in the right place at the right time because of that. What they did this year was pretty special under trying circumstances, though getting to play a stupid amount of regular season footy and finals footy at your home ground has definitely helped them in seasons past.

They've got too much quality and system discipline not to be top 4-6 again.

[comrade]

Everyone knows what their role is and they play that role well.

There has to be more to it. All the players in the top 4 sides over the last 10 years 'know their role' and play to it, but why have Richmond jumped above them all?

It has to have more to do with what those roles are and the system that accomodates them.

[Twodogs]

There has to be more to it. All the players in the top 4 sides over the last 10 years 'know their role' and play to it, but why have Richmond jumped above them all?

It has to have more to do with what those roles are and the system that accomodates them.

Before last year I would have said that playing most weeks and nearly all their finals on their home ground was a fairly large chunk of the explanation for their success but last year convinced me they are a quality team.

Of course to be a quality team you have to make the whole better than the sum of its parts and this Richmond team do that better than almost any side I've ever seen. Especially at the sustained level they have over the last 3 premierships they have won.

When you look at them who are their stars? They have maybe 4-5 players that are competition best? They lose a guy like Rance and adjust and win a flag. It must be their method. The guts outside their top players aren't mugs but they aren't superstars either. Vlastuin, Houli, Bolton, Nankervis, Edwards, Ellis. All multiple premiership players but you wouldn't be giving up a first round pick for any of them.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Hardwick seems similar mold to Dean Laidley and Mark Thompson. Manic when winning, hard faced when not. Hope he holds his stuff together.

[jazzadogs]

I still remain pretty baffled on how Richmond transformed themselves into a juggernaught post 2016. Dustin Martin obviously went supernova in 2017 and beyond but looking at some of the names in their best 22, I just don't get HOW they're so good.

The key to me is the stability they have had in their squad. Yes they unexpectedly lost Rance, but they also have 14 3x premiership players (9 of them 28+, offering a lot of experience and setting standards for the group). Houli, Edwards, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Astbury, Martin, Grimes, Lambert, Prestia, Broad, Vlastuin, Nankervis, Castagna and Rioli.

From their 2017 flag, they replaced Rance, Townsend, Caddy, Ellis, Grigg and Butler with Balta, Baker, Bolton, Pickett, Short and Tom Lynch.

That is a VERY solid core to build a team around, and I doubt there are any other sides still comfortably playing so many of their best 22 from 2017. When you have a core group like that, it is much easier to slot in the others and let them play their roles.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

The key to me is the stability they have had in their squad. Yes they unexpectedly lost Rance, but they also have 14 3x premiership players (9 of them 28+, offering a lot of experience and setting standards for the group). Houli, Edwards, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Astbury, Martin, Grimes, Lambert, Prestia, Broad, Vlastuin, Nankervis, Castagna and Rioli.

From their 2017 flag, they replaced Rance, Townsend, Caddy, Ellis, Grigg and Butler with Balta, Baker, Bolton, Pickett, Short and Tom Lynch.

That is a VERY solid core to build a team around, and I doubt there are any other sides still comfortably playing so many of their best 22 from 2017. When you have a core group like that, it is much easier to slot in the others and let them play their roles.
The Tigers are also very effective in their football management department. An outstanding CEO and former player in Brendan Gale, similarly Neil Balme as Football department Manager who followed with Premierships at Geelong and now Richmond.
Richmond also managed to retain all of its quality Assistant Coaches group when other Clubs through Covid-19 were reducing theirs.
So you have a sprinkling of quality on field experienced leaders combined with a powerful off field combination. They have set the bar for other Clubs to follow.

[boydogs]

I would say Richmond are actually an evolution of our men of mayhem, their manic pressure and fast ball movement are hallmarks of their game and have been the leading game style since Hawthorn's exacting foot skills from 2013-15

[SquirrelGrip]

Hardwick seems similar mold to Dean Laidley and Mark Thompson. Manic when winning, hard faced when not. Hope he holds his stuff together.

Maybe not....

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-coach-damien-hardwicks-new-relationship-sparking-turmoil/news-story/ddfbec5992a458141803ff21076ab6ee

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I would say Richmond are actually an evolution of our men of mayhem, their manic pressure and fast ball movement are hallmarks of their game and have been the leading game style since Hawthorn's exacting foot skills from 2013-15

Yeah I think they just maintained what we started and couldn’t continue to do.

[chef]

Hardwick seems similar mold to Dean Laidley and Mark Thompson. Manic when winning, hard faced when not. Hope he holds his stuff together.

Similar mold to Gary Rohan more like it.

[Dry Rot]

Similar mold to Gary Rohan more like it.

Dunno about that. Hardwick delivers in September (and October).

[The Adelaide Connection]

It’s an interesting test case for the AFL. If what has been reported is accurate, with precedent set at AFL house Hardwick has to be shown the door.

I suspect pulling the trigger on a couple of back office execs is infinitely easier than moving on the #1 coach in the business who is also at the competitions fattest cash cow.

[bornadog]

It’s an interesting test case for the AFL. If what has been reported is accurate, with precedent set at AFL house Hardwick has to be shown the door.

I suspect pulling the trigger on a couple of back office execs is infinitely easier than moving on the #1 coach in the business who is also at the competitions fattest cash cow.

I think it is his personal business. The woman doesn't report to him and there is no sexual harassment involved, unlike Lethleen, so I can't see the problem.

[GVGjr]

It’s an interesting test case for the AFL. If what has been reported is accurate, with precedent set at AFL house Hardwick has to be shown the door.

I suspect pulling the trigger on a couple of back office execs is infinitely easier than moving on the #1 coach in the business who is also at the competitions fattest cash cow.

Different circumstances to what happened at AFL house but it's not a great look for the coach to announce he is separating from his wife in the middle of December only to announce he's in a relationship with a staff member a couple of weeks later
While marriage and relationship breakdowns frequently occur and are very much a part of life we all need to accept in this instance it's complicated given Mrs Hardwick has a close relationship with many of the players and people at the club and there will no doubt be some who feel Mrs H has been betrayed.
There wasn't a lot of sympathy for Stringer when he split from his partner and we all know the turmoil caused by Garry Lyon and Mrs Brownless secret affair.

While I applaud Richmond for their considered stance I can't see this has been dealt with yet and there will no doubt be some bumps along the way.

[jeemak]

Different circumstances to what happened at AFL house but it's not a great look for the coach to announce he is separating from his wife in the middle of December only to announce he's in a relationship with a staff member a couple of weeks later
While marriage and relationship breakdowns frequently occur and are very much a part of life we all need to accept in this instance it's complicated given Mrs Hardwick has a close relationship with many of the players and people at the club and there will no doubt be some who feel Mrs H has been betrayed.
There wasn't a lot of sympathy for Stringer when he split from his partner and we all know the turmoil caused by Garry Lyon and Mrs Brownless secret affair.

While I applaud Richmond for their considered stance I can't see this has been dealt with yet and there will no doubt be some bumps along the way.

I think with Stringer the situation was a lot different, in that he was throwing it around town (in one famous case being involved with a Doggies supporter under the age of 18) while his partner was either pregnant with or nursing his child. Lyon was involved with a good friend's partner.

Agreed Richmond's stance to this point has been appropriate, and while I imagine it may be raw for some folks at the club I think people will move on pretty quickly once the distraction of training and playing comes along.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I did not know I knew.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Hardwick seems similar mold to Dean Laidley and Mark Thompson. Manic when winning, hard faced when not. Hope he holds his stuff together.

I knew I was intuitive and psychic:
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/who-is-alexandra-crow-richmond-coach-damien-hardwicks-new-girlfriend-revealed/news-story/00af9803c246b14523c41ebfa75cc76c

[bornadog]

I knew I was intuitive and psychic:
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/who-is-alexandra-crow-richmond-coach-damien-hardwicks-new-girlfriend-revealed/news-story/00af9803c246b14523c41ebfa75cc76c

BTW, Dean is now Dani ;)

[The Adelaide Connection]

I think it is his personal business. The woman doesn't report to him and there is no sexual harassment involved, unlike Lethleen, so I can't see the problem.

Actually, the Richard Simkiss case is eerily similar to this one. He had an affair with an AFL legal staffer whose role apparently didn’t cross paths with his and she didn’t report/answer to him in any capacity. There was no sexual harassment involved.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Different circumstances to what happened at AFL house but it's not a great look for the coach to announce he is separating from his wife in the middle of December only to announce he's in a relationship with a staff member a couple of weeks later
While marriage and relationship breakdowns frequently occur and are very much a part of life we all need to accept in this instance it's complicated given Mrs Hardwick has a close relationship with many of the players and people at the club and there will no doubt be some who feel Mrs H has been betrayed.
There wasn't a lot of sympathy for Stringer when he split from his partner and we all know the turmoil caused by Garry Lyon and Mrs Brownless secret affair.

While I applaud Richmond for their considered stance I can't see this has been dealt with yet and there will no doubt be some bumps along the way.

As per my comment in the above post, the circumstances are very similar. Richmond might be playing a straight bat, but the word is that there is a bit of furore internally. Potential double standards if Hardwick isn’t moved on after Rance was allegedly shuffled out the door.

[Dry Rot]

Putting Hardwick's hard wick adventures to one side, Richmond are the current benchmark but they are not unbeatable.

Which side (if any) sorted them out in the home and away season of 2020, and how did they do it?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I can’t imagine we’ve heard the last of this saga. It’ll get worse before it gets better.

It’s too hard to say how it’ll impact the playing group. For sure there will be players who would have lost a bit of respect and trust in their coach. But they’re professionals so we’ll see how it plays out.

[jeemak]

They weren't great at different times of the season, and lost their first final to Brisbane. For the record they lost to the Hawks, Lions, Port, GWS and Saints, whilst they also drew with Collingwood early on.

If not for Geelong coming out after half time incredibly soft and or distracted for whatever reason they may have been runners-up.

While no side really sorted them out throughout the year they showed that with a bit of concentration and a willingness to keep surging the Tigers like any side, are beatable. The issue with that is that not all sides can maintain the rage for four quarters, and this is where the Tigers get you. As soon as you take the foot off, lapse in concentration and make a few skill errors they burn you. 2020 could easily have been Port of Geelong's year, but it wasn't to be because neither could really keep up the intensity required when required.

[azabob]

Richmond turn up when they need to turn up. They seem to play well when on edge. Brisbane Lions 2001 to 2003 period where very similar. Make top four and go from there.