Age Footy 2010 liftout - Richmond season preview

[one-eyed]

From today's Age Footy 2010 liftout......


Roberts Walls: 16th

Patience, Tigers, patience. There is just no other option. It will take time. But the future being in the hands of new coach Damien Hardwick and new CEO Brendon Gale is a good thing. Both are young, keen and competent. With Matthew Richardson playing upfield in recent years, young forwards Mitch Morton and Jack Riewoldt have had a chance to learn the art of forward play. Both are coming along nicely. Brett Deledio should be buoyed with two best-and-fairests behind him and looks ready to take on real leadership now that Richo, Joel Bowden and Nathan Brown are gone. Hopefully he will be able to go to another level.

Garry Lyon: 16th

No one likes to see their team selected for the spoon but for Tiger fans all is not lost. Damien Hardwick knows what it takes to develop a side capable of winning a premiership and he won't deviate from that plan, even if it means taking a step back to achieve the goal. Cotchin and Martin, along with Deledio and Cousins, will ensure the fans have something to get excited about, but they need support at both ends of the ground.

Matthew Lloyd: 15th

The most important aspect for the Tigers is to stay strong and back Damien Hardwick's game plan - win, lose or draw - because it takes time. Improved disposal is paramount to executing what he is looking for, and Hardwick went to the draft only seeking to recruit players who could hit targets. The Tigers need to tighten up in the back half; reducing the number of turnovers is one way of turning the tide this season. Dustin Martin is perfect for the Tigers' cause - he will be Daniel Rich-like in his development and is my tip for the NAB Rising Star.

Rohan Connolly: 16th

Richmond and Melbourne appear to be fighting it out for the wooden spoon, the Demons' remake more advanced. At least Richmond will be left in no doubt as to what is required of it by new coach Damien Hardwick.

The promised land of the top four is a long way off for the Tigers and, as their rivals at the other end of the ladder demonstrate, there's much cultivation still to be done even after it's been found.

Ladder prediction

1. St Kilda
2. Bulldogs.
3. Geelong
4. Collingwood
5. Hawthorn
6. Adelaide
7. Brisbane
8. North Melbourne
----------------------------
9. West Coast
10. Essendon
11. Carlton
12. Sydney
13. Port Adelaide
14. Fremantle
15. Melbourne
16. Richmond

[one-eyed]

Individual player comments
by Footy Almanac's Paul Daffey


2. Thursfield --- One-time backline fixture who fell out of favour last year. Will need to work hard to force his way back to the front of the line.

3. Deledio --- Midfielder who slumbered first half of 2009 and then did enough to win second B&F in a row. Imagine if he has a full, confident season.

5. Simmonds --- Ruckman whose work ethic is an example to younger teammates. Did well to get a contract after believing he was bound for local footy.

8. Riewoldt --- His appetite for the ball sets him apart among other forwards. Meets every contest head on. Conversion could be better.

9. Cotchin --- Midfielder who tantalising skills have been denied to us for too long. Should be made to live in an ice bath if that's what it takes.

10. Edwards --- Really came on as a rebounding defender late in the 2009 season. His kicking is wonky, but his pace and courage are undoubted.

13. McMahon --- Half-back became Tigers' whipping boy almost before arriving at Punt Rd. Be interesting to see how he goes under a new coach.

14. Polo --- Defender who got his career back on track in 2009. Could get a go at the midfield this year and still has plenty to prove.

15. Farmer --- Back pocket (no small defenders at Richmond) who was unable to crack a game at Port last year. Good head on his shoulders.

16. McGuane --- Defender who gives everything but sometimes needs to give less. Will learn to channel his competitiveness.

17. Newman --- Defender who would have been glad when his first year as Tiger captain was over. The steering job should be much easier this year.

18. Rance --- Key defender who never deviates - for opposition players, oncoming trains, anything, Will develop more guile with the years.

19. Connors --- Small forward or rebounding defender whose 2009 season was derailed by a hand injury. Must make his mark soon.

20. Morton --- Roaming forward knows where the goals are, even if he's rarely facing them when he kicks. Booted 76 goals in two seasons at Punt Rd.

21. Tuck --- The fact that his name was suggested as trade bait suggests he'll struggle to keep out younger teammates this year. But maybe not.

23. Jackson --- Dedicated midfielder takes every opportunity life and footy present. Went from a battler before 2009 to just missing out on the B&F.

24. Collins --- Basement draft pick who battled away for a long time before making his mark on a wing last year. Might just be a handy footballer.

25. Graham --- Broad-shouldered ruckman who became favoured ahead of the delisted Adam Pattison. Only player from King Island.

26. Nahas --- A rare success story for 2009. Lively forward whose efforts exposed better-known teammates. Now on senior list.

27. Hislop --- Midfielder who's yet to convince since crossing from Windy Hill where failed to knuckle down. Let's see how he goes this year.

28. King --- Back pocket who will be under scrutiny after a poor season in 2009. Coach was just like him, but he's unlikely to bestow any favours.

29. Vickery --- Took one or two marks in his debut season that stamped him as a quality player. Still young but would like more please.

30. Tambling --- You wouldn't call 2009 his breakout season, but he did do well. Further improvement would put him in good stead to become a top-liner.

31. Thomson --- It seemed bizarre that Richmond last year recruited Thomson and then played him in the reserves. We'll see what's in store.

32. Cousins --- What a contrast in off-season it's been without any hype over "Cuzzy". Won a Brownlow Medal and can still be at elite level.

34. Browne --- Ruckman gave new meaning to "raw" during his round-one debut last year. Showed enough thereafter to be promoted to senior list.

35. White --- Hard-working speedster whose career stalled in 2009 after injury mid-season. Must find confidence to get back to old form.

36. Martin --- Enormous wraps on the physical midfielder from Castlemaine take at No.3 in the latest draft. Just let him rip!

37. Post --- Key position player who can mark. Needs to be more erratic if fans are going to continue calling him "Little Richo".

38. Griffiths --- Centre half-forward who can mark and kick long goals. Needs to mature in body and will be given time to develop.

39. Astbury --- Key position player taken with a third-round pick in the latest draft. Debut likely but little expected this year.

40. Moore --- Key backman who was dropped late in the 2009 season. Honest type who'll be keen to make amends.

41. Foley --- Midfield who gives everything but whose influence was reduced in 2009 after ankle injury. Will fight back.

43. Dea --- Basketballer who was drafted on the basis of a few TAC Cup games and outstanding results at a screening test. Worth a shot.

44. Taylor --- Exciting prospect, good contested mark. But due to face court on March 30 accused of assault in NT on New Year's Eve.

46. Webberley -- A smokey who was taken late in the recent draft from Tasmanian league premier Clarence. Running defender who kicks long.

47. Nason --- Late draft pick wjo would do well to play senior footy in 2010. Plays in the midfield and up forward.

48. Grimes --- Strong-willed defender who's unlikely to be dismissed because of lack of intensity, Brother of Melbourne's Jack.

6. Polak --- Lucky to be on the list after a traffic accident unfortunately knocked him senseless. Confidence his goal and needs more intensity.

22. Gilligan --- Or is it Gilligan Alroy? Small forward with pace and goal sense. From Fitzroy Crossing, right up the top of WA, via Claremont.

33. Gourdis --- Another chance for the athletic West Australian who was listed in 2008 and played as a rookie last year. Must seize the day.

42. O'Reilly --- Irish recruit who first impressed recruiters on a cold, wet and windy night in Belfast. Has put on eight kilograms over summer.

45. Hicks --- Forward and midfielder whose exceptional pace enables him to break free of packs. Small, so perhaps not ready yet.

49. Contin --- Utility who'll be given time to settle in. Played in Glenelg's under-18 premiership last season.

50. Roberts --- Has played footy throughout the Top End and in country Victoria. Small forward with a touch of magic.

51. Westhoff --- Basketball recruit who will be given time to develop into a ruckman or key forward. Cousin of the Port Adelaide pair.

[torch]

Roberts Walls, Garry Lyon and Rohan Connolly, obviously have been sucked in thinking Melbourne are going to improve!

Melbourne are not going to do anything in 2010, 2011 and 2012!

Matthew Lloyd, i think, has it right.

North Melbourne finishing 8th? you are joking right?

 

[the claw]

without saying why i think nm can make the 8 i would like to hear why they cant.

[torch]

without saying why i think nm can make the 8 i would like to hear why they cant.

because, St Kilda, Geelong, Western, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Collingwood, Brisbane and West Coast will.

that is saying, North Melbourne are better then Essendon, West Coast, Sydney, Carlton, Port Adelaide.

to me "the claw", North Melbourne are a 12th-15th AFL Club in 2010.

just my opinion.