Recent Posts

71

Richmond Rant / 2026 Richmond season preview - The Big Questions (themongrelpunt)

« Last post by one-eyed on January 19, 2026, 11:17:17 PM »

Read the full season preview here:
https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2026/2026/01/17/2026-richmond-season-preview-the-big-questions/


2026 Richmond Season Preview – The Big Questions

HB Meyers
themongrelpunt.com
January 17, 2026

It took one week for the Tigers to shut a few mouths in 2025.

Can the Tigers shut some more mouths in 2026? Or did they over-perform last season, and are staring down the possibility that they may fall back to Earth, this year?

1 – HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO GET GAME TIME INTO JOSH SMILLIE?

2 – AFTER A HORROR START TO 2025, WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM NOAH BALTA THIS SEASON?

3 – CAN MAURICE RIOLI BECOME AN ELITE PRESSURE SMALL FORWARD?

4 – CAN JOSH GIBCUS FINALLY BE A GAIN AFTER YEARS OF PAIN?

5 – OUTSIDE OF SAM LALOR, WHICH 2024 DRAFT PICK TAKES THE NEXT STEP?

Read the full season preview here: https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2026/2026/01/17/2026-richmond-season-preview-the-big-questions/

72

Richmond Rant / Who is our most reliable player?

« Last post by one-eyed on January 19, 2026, 11:08:08 PM »

The AFL website says Miller, followed by Broad.

Week in, week out: Who is your club's most reliable player?

Martin Smith
afl.com.au
19 Jan 2026



BEN MILLER

In a young squad that has had plenty of injuries in recent years, Miller has been a reliable presence down back and has played 44 games in a row, having not missed since round one, 2024. Fellow defender Nathan Broad has also been a steady presence down back and has played 80 of a possible 86 games since the start of 2022.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1460992/week-in-week-out-who-is-your-clubs-most-reliable-player

73

Richmond Rant / Re: Richmond AFLW team [merged]

« Last post by one-eyed on January 19, 2026, 10:58:14 PM »

Stepping up: Your club's breakout player of 2025

From new stars to established ones who have found another gear, we choose the player from each club that turned heads this season

By Gemma Bastiani and Dylan Bolch
afl.com.au
Jan 19, 2026



ISABEL BACON

The Sandringham Dragons product took another big stride forward at the Tigers in 2025, playing all 12 matches this season. While Bacon's raw numbers don't exactly jump off the page, her defensive pressure and ability to play through the midfield or across half-back makes her a promising player for the Tigers. A hard-worker with explosive speed, endurance and power, Bacon's versatility means she is often called upon to plug holes or try to create something different for Richmond. The young gun could be in line for an increased midfield role next season after Grace Egan's departure, or as more of a distributor out of defence pending how the Tigers swing the magnets.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1460584/stepping-up-your-clubs-breakout-player-of-2025

74

Richmond Rant / Re: Favourite player game

« Last post by WilliamPowell on January 19, 2026, 08:45:02 PM »

Faull          5
Gray         16 +
Lalor        17 -
Hotton     17

75

Richmond Rant / Re: Injury update 2026

« Last post by Assange Tiger 😎 on January 19, 2026, 07:32:22 PM »

76

Richmond Rant / Re: Injury update 2026

« Last post by wayne on January 19, 2026, 06:45:25 PM »

 

77

Richmond Rant / Re: Injury update 2026

« Last post by Willy on January 19, 2026, 03:03:15 PM »

Lol

78

Richmond Rant / Re: Injury update 2026

« Last post by Hart4Jack on January 19, 2026, 02:17:01 PM »

Jonty Faull was confined to the rehab group on Monday morning after spraining his ankle last week, but the 195cm key forward is expected to be fully fit by the end of the month and has laid the foundations for a decent second season since his last game in August.

After playing 16 games in an impressive debut season, the 2024 first-round pick inherited the iconic No.8 guernsey in the off-season, worn with distinction by Richmond champions Jack Riewoldt, Michael Roach and idiot Clay.

Luke Trainor was limited on Monday to running laps after a knock at training last week, while Tom Sims is still a couple of months away from fully recovering from a navicular stress fracture in his right foot. 

Hugo Ralphsmith is also still recovering from the hamstring strain he suffered in December.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1461267/richmond-tigers-gun-nick-vlastuin-back-in-full-training-after-ankle-injury-veterans-on-modified-programs

"Idiot" Clay ???? 
  :rollin

79

Richmond Rant / Re: Preseason scratch match: Richmond vs Essendon

« Last post by one-eyed on January 19, 2026, 02:15:45 PM »

@Richmond_FC to play match sim v Essendon at The Hangar on Feb 20.

https://x.com/i/status/2013080826645238161

80

Richmond Rant / Injury update 2026

« Last post by one-eyed on January 19, 2026, 02:14:07 PM »

Jonty Faull was confined to the rehab group on Monday morning after spraining his ankle last week, but the 195cm key forward is expected to be fully fit by the end of the month and has laid the foundations for a decent second season since his last game in August.

After playing 16 games in an impressive debut season, the 2024 first-round pick inherited the iconic No.8 guernsey in the off-season, worn with distinction by Richmond champions Jack Riewoldt, Michael Roach and Dick Clay.

Luke Trainor was limited on Monday to running laps after a knock at training last week, while Tom Sims is still a couple of months away from fully recovering from a navicular stress fracture in his right foot. 

Hugo Ralphsmith is also still recovering from the hamstring strain he suffered in December.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1461267/richmond-tigers-gun-nick-vlastuin-back-in-full-training-after-ankle-injury-veterans-on-modified-programs