This is the latest installment of this thread. We managed to get rid of about 20 blokes from the lists of players who I predicted wouldnt become Premiership players. Some players have really improved. Some players need to lift but its fair to say we have come a fair way since I first started this afew years ago and I said that half the list should get the behind because they didnt have the ability to become RFC premiership players. IMHO we should focus on finding normal natural improvement from our current list which I believe now has the ability to finish 6th to 8th regulary. We need a goalkicking forward pocket but more importantly we need to focus on finding a couple key forwards.
2. Will Thursfield: Very Capable. Would be in a Richmond Premiership 22.
3. Brett Deledio: Star. Would be in a Richmond Premiership 22.
4. Andrew Raines: Went Backwards in 2008, Needs a big 2009. On the fringes now.
5. Troy Simmonds: Age & Injury are against him. Hes been a very good player for us however. If we win it in the next 3 years then maybe he will just hang on.
6. Graham Polak: We all wish him the best, the most important thing is that he gets healthy, everything else would be a bonus.
7. Nathan Brown: A star player but age is starting to work against him. Needs for us to win it soon. Is still capable of winning matches on his own.
8. Jack Riewoldt: Coming on slowly, Needs to impact more, Needs to kick some more goals. Should be part of the next premiership side.
9. Trent Cotchin: Star player, Will be in Richmonds next Premiership side
10. Shane Edwards: Needs to do more, on the fringes, has the ability and the talent, but needs to show it in the next 12 to 18 months consistently.
11. Joel Bowden (vet - outside): I think time will beat bowden, hes been a good contributor to Richmond, but the clock is ticking. Highly doubtful hed be in Richmonds next Premiership side imho.
12. Matthew Richardson (vet - outside): In normal circumstances, It would be a no, but Richo could keep playing for the next 2 or 3 years. So Im going to back him in. His athletic ability will allow him to play on longer. We should also start to manage where he plays, not going to Perth or Brisbane may or missing 1 or 2 games in the middle of winter at the G may be helpful.
13. Jordan McMahon: Not a fan, but the coach likes him, if the current coach stays then McMahon may get make it to Richmonds next premiership side.
14. Dean Polo: Has gone backwards in 2008, Needs a big 2009, Now Hislop and Thomson are at RFC the heat for positions in the side will be on. If he doesnt fire in 2009 I think he could be in trouble, at the moment Id be saying that hed be lucky to get into a Richmond Premiership 22.
15. Kayne Pettifer: No, I just think time and injury and new players have come on the scene that will see Kayne struggle to get into a Richmond Premiership 22.
16. Luke McGuane: Really improved in 2008, could play a role in an improving Richmond defence. As it stands Thursfield, Moore and McGuane have first dibs on these spots in defence.
17. Chris Newman: Yes, well he is the captain, he wont be going anywhere.
18. Alex Rance: Hasnt played, high hopes, cant make a decision but everyones hoping
19. Dean Putt: see Alex Rance
20. Mitch Morton: Clearly a talented player, I think that if Richmond play off for a flag in the next 3 years Mitch Morton will be a part of it.
21. Shane Tuck: Only time may be against him, but he now has Hislop & Thomson who can take some heat, Tuck does what he does well. Deserves some credit for it to.
22. Jarryd Oakley-Nicholls: We all want to see him succeed, but he seemed to struggle at Coburg. At the moment its probably a No.
23. Daniel Jackson: Would be on the fringes of a 22, really came on in 2008, a good 2009 would really help his cause.
24. Mark Coughlan: Needs to show he can come back from injury, when we were really down he gave supporters hope. Lets hope he beats the injuries.
25. Jay Schulz: After all these years, I have a question, Is he a key forward? Is he a key Back? We have a growing list of KPPs, he needs to fire.
26. Adam Pattison: Competes hard, but needs to show more. Jury is still out.
28. Kane Johnson: No- 2009 may be his last year, I cant see us winning a flag next year.
29. Tyrone Vickery: We needed to recruit a big aggressive kid who can ruck and play forward, fulfills this criteria, he hasnt played yet, but like Rance we need him to make it.
30. Richard Tambling: I think that with extra assistance in the middle, the heat will come off, we may get a better contribution from Richard. Yes, I think he would be in Richmonds next Premiership side.
34. Cleve Hughes: Someone, Anyone, can they convince Steamer to put his hand up and say I want to be the number 1 Richmond forward. Can play, but needs to show it, 2009 he needs to kick goals and prove to himself that he can play full forward properly in AFL footy.
35. Matthew White: In the past I have said, that I thought he was a squad player, I think he improved quite alot in 2008, needs to follow on in 2009, his run, his pace adds a valuable commodity to our side. He could make a Premiership 22
39. Daniel Connors: Has great talent and a bit of aggression. Needs to show everyone that he is serious, he can be a very very good player. On the fringes, but at the moment I see him as a 25 to 30 player.
40. Kelvin Moore: Really stepped up, if he follows up again in 2009 then it has to be a Yes.
41. Nathan Foley: A key midfielder, become highly damaging, great speed. I think if we win it in the next 5 years, he'll be part of it.
42. Andrew Collins: Havent seen cant say
44. Angus Graham: Wont get a better opportunity, needs to show what he can do now, because the clubs got Vickery. At the moment Id say its a no. Hes a squad player 30 to 35 atm.
46. Jake King: I see Kingy as being a squad player 28to 33 atm.
##. Adam Thomson: We havent seen him yet, but he and Hislop arriving at Punt Rd means midfield spots are at a premium.
##. Jaydyn Post: If he can play KPP that would be a tremendous bonus, we havent seen him but hopefully he comes through.
##. Tom Hislop: I like his recruitment because it adds a touch of aggression to our midfield mix. We need that. Hopefully he takes his chance. We havent seen him in Richmond colors so I cant make a call on him. Hopefully he becomes a great player for us.