Foxsports.com.au's 2011 AFL premiership season preview with expert Gerard Healy: Richmond * By John Clark
* FOX SPORTS
* March 11, 2011 Foxsports.com.au continues its countdown to AFL premiership season by previewing Richmond, the team Brownlow Medal winner Gerard Healy predicts will finish 14th this year.Richmond 2011 SquadDavid Astbury, Jake Batchelor, Andrew Browne, Reece Conca, Daniel Connors, Pat Contin (rookie), Trent Cotchin, Matt Dea, Brett Deledio, Tom Derickx, Shane Edwards, Mitch Farmer, Nathan Foley, David Gourdis, Angus Graham, Ben Griffiths, Shaun Grigg, Dylan Grimes, Brad Helbig, Robert Hicks (rookie), Tom Hislop (rookie), Bachar Houli, Daniel Jackson, Ben Jakobi (rookie), Jake King, Dean MacDonald, Dustin Martin, Luke McGuane, Brad Miller (rookie), Kelvin Moore, Mitch Morton, Robin Nahas, Ben Nason, Chris Newman, Jamie O'Reilly, Jayden Post, Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt, Troy Taylor, Will Thursfield, Shane Tuck, Tyrone Vickery, Jeromey Webberley, Nick Westhoff (rookie), Matt White.
New faces: Jake Batchelor (Dandenong Under-18), Reece Conca (Perth), Tom Derrickx (Claremont), David Gourdis (rookie elevation), Shaun Grigg (Carlton), Brad Helbig (West Adelaide), Bachar Houli (Essendon), Dean MacDonald (Gippsland Under-18).
Out the door: Andrew Collins (Carlton), Ben Cousins (retired), Tom Hislop (delisted, rookie listed), Jordan McMahon (delisted), Dean Polo (delisted), Troy Simmonds (retired), Richard Tambling (Adelaide Crows), Adam Thomson (delisted).
Room for improvement: The Tigers need to find alternative avenues to goal, their second highest goal kicker Andrew Collins has been offloaded to Carlton for Shaun Grigg. Will they continue the development of Mitch Morton on a wing or swing him forward where he could kick 30-plus goals for the season? Hardwick will have to persist with the likes of Tyrone Vickery, Troy Taylor and Ben Grffiths to fast track their development, where other clubs have the luxury of developing them in the VFL. Patience with the less-experienced players will be critical but if Melbourne discard Brad Miller plays more often than not, the Tiger army might start to question the progress.
Game breaker: Richmond are blessed with a hard-nosed midfield that relish the contested footy. It's no coincidence their best form came last year when the grounds were heavier and the likes of Trent Cotchin, Shane Tuck and Dustin Martin were their better players. Now it's time to find some linebreakers. Nathan Foley can do it but perhaps former Bomber Bachar Houli can flourish in yellow and black. His neat left foot and will to run and carry could bust matches open at the MCG.
Rising star: Sometimes it's hard to overlook the most obvious young talent on the list. Trent Cotchin is just that at Punt Road and for good reason. Cotchin, in his third year at the club, now has his first pre-season under his belt. Touted as a future captain of the club, expect a major improvement if his body stands up to the rigours of AFL. He is adept at winning the ball in close but must add more spread to his game. He won half his possession from a contest, the second-highest in the AFL. Balance is key.
Key arrival: Nathan Foley is not a new recruit but after just four games last season he will feel like it to Tigers coach Damien Hardwick. Footy fans might understimate the ability of this bloke because injury has forced him out of 26 matches in the past two years. But Foley was, in 2007-08, the second best centre clearance player in the league. His pace, too, will add a new dimension to their engine room.
Coach factor: Damien Hardwick has a vision and will not deviate from the plan. Richmond will appreciate a low-key operator to ensure expectations of supporters are realistic. It will be another development year while the young spine matures and they identify who will hold down the key posts in two to three years, when they should be starting compete amongst the big boys. He knows that and delivers the message to fans with honesty.
Stats for sure: The Tigers lost the first nine games of 2010 and conceded an average of 120 points per week. From that point on they slowed the scoring against to 97.5 points per game. They are giant leaps forward for a young side. It's a base to build for the future.
Gerard says: The Tigers are a work in progress but they are behind a fair few others in terms of development. They will have their moments throughout the season but they are still working towards being competitive consistently. You can't see them being a force. There is a question mark over their big-man department while they have some genuine quality through the young midfield group. Getting Nathan Foley back will help.
The Adjudicator says: It's hard not to like what Dimma Hardwick is doing down at Punt Road. That will change if the feral followers wind up though. The Tigers have lost poster boys Richo and Cuz in the past two years but Dusty Martin, he of the inked neck, can fill that void. He's tough, talented and quite frightening. Apart from the talented, he's just like Mrs A. How will the Tigers go, you ask. Better than last year, not as good as next season. Eight wins.
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Banker: Brett Deledio ($495,900) went back to go forward last season. His role as a defender - and the go-to man to break through the ever-evolving forward-pressure zone - makes him a safe buy.
Roughie: Pat Contin ($103,600) starts the season on the rookie list but has transformed his body over the summer to AFL standards. If promoted and plays will certainly win plenty of his own ball.
AFL Preview Countdown .... so far
14. Richomond
15. Brisbane
16. West Coast
17. Gold Coast
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