Richmond's 2023 mid-season report cards [merged]

[one-eyed]

Mid-season report card

Max Laughton
Foxsports
31 May 2023

RICHMOND (3-7-1, 98.4%)

Three word analysis

Era is over

What’s gone right

For years the Tigers got away with a weak midfield – certainly compared to most premiership teams – and their attempt to fix that, while also filling the void in their list of players entering their prime, was trading for Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. We won’t know how much they’ll rue not having those picks for several years, but the immediate returns have been solid, with Taranto in particular racking up plenty of the footy (and plenty of headlines). This is no longer a problem area of the ground. Round 2’s win over Adelaide looks better by the week while Round 9’s upset of Geelong not only helped derail their recent rival, but marked the final victory under champion coach Damien Hardwick.

What’s gone wrong

Where do we begin? They sit inside the bottom four halfway through the year, level on wins with the rebuilding Hawks and just one above the Kangaroos, despite many tipping them to rise into the top four. But that wasn’t just an external view; Hardwick effectively explained in his exit press conference he was viewing 2023 as one last shot at the flag, and once that chance disappeared, he no longer held the passion to see out the season. We’re not looking to retire anyone, but it would seem likely Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt will also finish up their spectacular careers, marking a clear point of transition from the dynasty era to whatever comes next. The funny thing is, the Tigers aren’t that bad. Their percentage is barely below 100, and they’re competitive almost every week; it’s just that they keep losing these close games. For the last year and a half, they’ve basically been the reverse Collingwood. Maybe Adam Treloar knew what he was talking about all those years ago …

Contract and trade priorities

The question is whether they’re topping up to contend again in 2024, or taking it slowly. The risk is that they get stuck in the middle, and don’t have enough high draft picks to easily rebuild – but there’s going to be enough talent on this list next year that it’s hard to imagine them stinking it up. And so why wouldn’t they target someone like GWS’ Harry Himmelberg, to give Tom Lynch some much-needed help once Jack Riewoldt goes? A key defender would help too; while Josh Gibcus should be a quality player, this year has exposed their issues with depth down back, which could be exacerbated if they can’t keep Nathan Broad. He reportedly wants a three-year deal and if a rival comes with an offer that gives him greater security, he could go [sic - he's just re-signed].

Grade

D

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2023-midseason-report-card-latest-trade-updates-grades-for-every-club/news-story/905d0efa74d47bdf7ab465579b843171

[Damo]

Max Laughton
Foxsports
31 May 2023

Maybe Adam Treloar knew what he was talking about all those years ago …

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2023-midseason-report-card-latest-trade-updates-grades-for-every-club/news-story/905d0efa74d47bdf7ab465579b843171

How man flags has he won Max?

This is the most wacko comment ive read in my life. And I live in the Philippines, where retardation levels can be off the charts at times.

[Tiger Khosh]

What a moronic statement. Treloar said he picked the pies over Richmond cos their list was closer to a flag. That was at the end of 2016. 6+ years later and the tally reads 3-Richmond 0-Pies and Treloar kicked out the door.

[the claw]

Hmm on topic. Do report cards only go to D.

Said when we traded out of the draft again and got Taranto and Hopper then only a flag would suffice.
Its been an utter failure thus far.

As they get older that is our best vets the worse we get with none below who can step up and take over.

Atm its the older blokes who are still carrying the load and keeping us in games at least.