Who are the contenders and pretenders in Richmond’s VFL side? ... (H-Sun/afl)

[one-eyed]

Who are the contenders and pretenders in Richmond’s VFL side?

JON ANDERSON
Herald Sun
July 5, 2016

“We feel in the footy club now as good a list as I think we’ve had at my disposal since I’ve been there. Some of those players we’re yet to see, some you’ve seen a little bit of and they’re going to be incredible players going forward.” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick on May 25, 2016.

A message of “incredible” hope, delivered six weeks ago when the Tigers had come off wins against Sydney at the MCG and Fremantle in Perth after six straight losses.

Right now it lacks substance given Richmond sits 12th with six wins in the AFL and 13th with three victories in the VFL, hardly inspiring confidence about the coming years.

So just what do they have in a VFL team that has won three of eleven games but one that in fairness has shown considerably better signs in recent weeks?

Of the players who haven’t been seen regularly or ever at senior level, here is a form sheet based on their 2016 efforts. The most likely to win senior promotion are Jason Castagna, Oleg Markov and Callum Moore.

And you would anticipate with finals all but gone that the rest of 2016 has to be about finding out just who can play.

THE VFL CONTENDERS/PRETENDERS

Nathan Broad: Really good running player with plenty of dash who is worth a run of senior games.

Dan Butler: Struggling. Needs to use the first option rather than doing too much when he gets it.

Jason Castagna: Got good agility, good in close and rarely gets tackled. Just needs to put some polish on his game.

Mabior Chol: A really exciting prospect but one that is expected to fully blossom in two to three years.

Nathan Drummond: Lightning quick but just back from an ACL suffered in his debut senior game last year.

Ben Lennon: Injury hasn’t been his friend. Just needs to put some games together to see what he’s got.

Adam Marcon: Not overly quick so needs to give it off quicker when he gets it. A fair way off.

Oleg Markov: Is a real chance and should see senior action off a back flank or wing via his dash.

Liam McBean: Was rated highly by the club early on but now in his fourth year and not making any real impact.

Andrew Moore: Tried in the midfield early on and since been used up forward. Struggling.

Callum Moore: Can play back or forward. Has good hands as shown when out-marking Lyndon Dunn on Sunday. Chance.

Jayden Short: Doesn’t get a lot of it but doesn’t miss too often which is his job.

Ivan Soldo: Project ruckman who hasn’t played a lot of football.

Jacob Townsend: Hasn’t had the impact hoped for since being recruited from GWS.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/who-are-the-contenders-and-pretenders-in-richmonds-vfl-side/news-story/78a6399679893eea4923b7185aa3f4f2

[one-eyed]

Who are Hardwick's hidden Tiger cubs?

AFL.com.au
5 July 2016

AFTER the round 11 loss to North Melbourne that, in reality, ended Richmond's season, Damien Hardwick said the Tigers had a few "really promising" kids that they would have a look at.

An inability to let go of their slim finals hopes, however, has meant only mature-age recruit Nathan Broad has been unveiled in the four weeks since and we are none the wiser to who those "really promising kids" are.

The Tigers have played 34 players this season, fewer than only four clubs outside the top eight, and Liam McBean has again been left to play out his fourth season in the VFL.

Hardwick has at different times this season bemoaned his players' inability to stand up under pressure, execute fundamentals and handle the ball cleanly.

At one point he agreed their football was "dumb" and, after the Kangaroos loss, said they played like "a bunch of schoolboys".

But when it comes to selection, the match committee has rarely had the desire to pull the trigger and select young players outside the premium draft picks they have snared in seasons past.

If those promising kids we are yet to see couldn't come into the team one month ago, surely they must now.


The hidden Tigers

DANIEL BUTLER
Drafted: Pick No.67 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft
Games in 2016: 0 (career 0)

The small forward, who missed most of 2015 with a knee injury, hasn't set the world on fire in the VFL, showing signs but failing to produce one standout game. Was the Tigers' senior emergency in round eight, so he has been considered close at one point.

JASON CASTAGNA
Drafted: Pick No.29 in the 2015 Rookie Draft
Games in 2016: 2 (career 2)

Perhaps the most impressive of this batch, the elevated rookie showed dash out of defence at senior level but has been overlooked for the past two months. The half-forward's recent form should see him rewarded as soon as possible.

MABIOR CHOL
Drafted: Pick No.30 in the 2016 Rookie Draft
Games in 2016: 0 (career 0)

A member of the Brisbane Lions Academy for two years before getting his chance as a rookie, Chol has showcased his freakish athleticism in spurts at VFL level. The tall forward has been moved back to educate him and has kicked a bag of four in his best game.

NATHAN DRUMMOND
Drafted: Pick No.52 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft
Games in 2016: 0 (career 1)

The versatile midfielder only became available for selection in round 10 after 12 months sidelined with a knee injury. Still working back to full fitness but it's not a stretch to see him this year. 


TODD ELTON
Drafted: Pick No.26 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft
Games in 2016: 0 (career 2)

Injury has kept the tall defender to one game in the past two months but he is on the verge of returning. The Tigers should try to get a look at the 23-year-old, who hasn't played since round seven last season.

OLEG MARKOV
Drafted: Pick No.50 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft
Games in 2016: 0 (career 0)

Has shown signs in recent weeks across half-forward that he could get a taste at senior level in his first season for the purpose of experience. Is very slight and one of the new Tigers who probably shouldn't be rushed.

ADAM MARCON
Drafted: Pick No.47 in the 2016 Rookie Draft
Games in 2016: 0 (career 0)

The midfielder has played every week in the VFL but hasn't been able to take the next step. A mature-age rookie and a ball-winner, his ball-use looks to be the main thing holding him back from an AFL debut at this point.   

Mature-age draftee Adam Marcon hasn't yet cracked an AFL debut. Picture: AFL Media

LIAM McBEAN
Drafted: Pick No.33 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft
Games in 2016: 0 (career 2)

Perennially overlooked despite desperation from fans to see if the tall forward will make it at the top level. Last played in round nine last season and has kicked four bags of five in the VFL since. Trialled in the ruck more recently.

IVAN SOLDO
Drafted: Pick No.68 in the 2015 Rookie Draft (Category B Rookie)
Games in 2016: 0 (career 0)

Far too soon to expect the ruckman to make impact at AFL level after 16 VFL games learning his craft. Capable of between 15 and 30 hit-outs, he is quiet around the ground and remains a project player. 

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-04/the-hidden-tiger-cubs

[Andyy]

Need to see Broad, Costagna, Chol, Drummond, Lennon, Marcon, Markov, McBean, C. Moore, Short and probably Soldo all play a handful of the last eight games each...

[Stalin]

Liam McBean: Was rated highly by the club early on but now in his fourth year and not making any real impact.

fo

[Jonesracing82]

Nathan Broad: Really good running player with plenty of dash who is worth a run of senior games.
lol

[Yeahright]

Adam Marcon: Not overly quick so needs to give it off quicker when he gets it. A fair way off.

Curdled cream 

[tdy]

What's the bet only 1 or 2 make it of that lot possibly less.