Richmond Tigers 2016 season preview .... (Foxsports)

[one-eyed]

Richmond Tigers 2016 season preview

Sarah Olle
Foxsports
March 16, 2016

IF THE Tigers had defeated North Melbourne in last year’s elimination final, the sense of fatalism that walks hand-in-hand with their 2016 campaign would cease to exist.

After 23 home and away rounds, Richmond finished one game out of the top four behind powerhouses Fremantle, West Coast, Hawthorn and Sydney.

On paper, the Tigers had the form and personnel to allay fears that their finals hoodoo would continue.

But then they met their match — a North Melbourne outfit that has come to be characterised by its ability to surge in September.

And so that sense of fatalism continues. Will the Tigers capitulate again? Or will they learn from the likes of North Melbourne and take control of their own destiny when it counts? The time is now.

2015 WAS ...

ANOTHER chapter in the torturous Tiger narrative. After yet another promising home and away season, Damien Hardwick’s team was a first week finals casualty for the third year in a row. Captain Trent Cotchin headlined a cavalry of beleaguered Tigers who played their worst game of the season on the biggest stage. It was, by their own admissions, disappointing. Despite this, the Tigers finished with 15 wins, including 13 of their final 16 home and away games. And on their charge to the finals they defeated top four sides Fremantle, Hawthorn and Sydney. Indeed, there was plenty to like about the Tigers before their finals exit.

PASS MARK

WINNING a final is essential for all parties, but none more so than Hardwick. Finishing top four would guarantee a berth into the second week of finals and may be necessary given the Tigers’ recent propensity to capitulate come September. Bottom line? The Tigers must win a final.

DAVID KING SAYS ...

“I THINK Richmond will be on the improve again. They won 15 games last year and were just outside the top four. I’m expecting them to improve and break into that top four, which will give them some hope and give them the double chance. We’ve known over the past three seasons they’ve been out in the first week of the finals so maybe they need that double chance. I think with Yarran on board, late in the season they’ll come with a rush.”

CHAMPION DATA SAYS

“DOWN back could potentially be an issue. Alex Rance is a star an is rated as the third-best key defender in the competition. His partner in crime over the past few years has been Troy Chaplin, but he has now slipped outside of the top 35 per cent of key defenders and is now 30+ years old, while David Astbury is 25 and yet to establish himself at AFL level.” – AFL Prospectus

THE TRADE PERIOD

“CHRIS (Yarran) will hopefully fulfil the potential he’s had. He’s been a very good player, but I think he’s even better than that if he plays up to the ability he has. Richmond will be delighted to get him. Overall I think the Tigers have done well to get Yarran.” - Chris Pelchen

THE COACH

HE’S been re-signed at the club until the end of 2018, but that won’t stop the vultures from circling if Damien Hardwick fails to win a final this season. In a show of faith from the club, Hardwick’s contract will see him become the third longest-serving one-club coach in the competition, behind Alastair Clarkson and Brad Scott. If Hardwick remains at the club until the end of 2018 as his new contract dictates, he will become the third longest-serving coach in Richmond’s history.

THE GUN

AFTER contemplating an early retirement, Alex Rance was back to his damaging best last season. Rarely beaten one-on-one, Rance edged out Dustin Martin in the Tigers’ best and fairest, after averaging 17 disposals and 6 marks per game in 2015. Reliable, consistent and stingy, Rance is the Tigers’ most important weapon, regularly holding forwards to sub-par performances. He averaged almost eight intercept possessions per game last season, as well as ranking second for defensive spoils in the competition. Rance is the complete package and a prototype for the modern day defender who must be as damaging on the counter attack as he is one-on-one.

NEXT BIG THING

IT’S no easy task living up to the hype of being a Rioli. But Daniel Rioli is certainly a player to watch. He dominated at the draft combine, winning the award for the best all-round performance for his aerobic and anaerobic qualities, which saw him win the 30m repeat sprint test, come equal second in the 20m sprint and run a 14.6 in the beep test. In true Rioli fashion, Daniel doesn’t need to accumulate huge numbers to have an impact. While he only averaged 12 disposals per game at the 2015 NAB U/18 Championships, he was ranked No. 1 among general forwards for pressure points.

IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR

AFTER failing to make an impact in the Tigers’ elimination final against North Melbourne, Trent Cotchin will be looking to right a lot of wrongs in 2016. As captain, his no-show was appalling. But most worryingly, it seems to be a trend of Cotchin’s to go missing when he gets tagged, with the skipper averaging four to five fewer possessions when clamped down. If the Richmond captain is to respond, he will also need to work on his kick, which is rated below average by Champion Data. While Cotchin finds a lot of the footy, he is far from damaging, averaging just 22 metres per kick.

BEST 22

B: Jake Batchelor, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes

HB: Bachar Houli, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlaustin

C: Brandon Ellis, Trent Cotchin, Chris Yarran

HF: Dustin Martin, Tyrone Vickery, Brett Deledio

F: Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt, Ben Griffiths

FOLL: Ivan Maric, Anthony Miles, Kane Lambert

I/C: Shaun Grigg, Reece Conca, Taylor Hunt, Kamdyn McIntosh

EMERGENCY: Ben Lennon, Sam Lloyd, Steve Morris

OTHERS: David Astbury, Nathan Broad, Daniel Butler, Nathan Drummond, Corey Ellis, Todd Elton, Oleg Markov, Liam McBean, Reece McKenzie, Connor Menadue, Andrew Moore, Shaun Hampson, Daniel Rioli, Jacob Townsend

ROOKIES: Jason Castagna, Mabior Chol, Adam Marcon, Callum Moore, Jayden Short, Ivan Soldo

SUPERCOACH MUST HAVE

Brett Deledio is a gun and as a multi-positional player should be a starter in most punter’s teams. He averaged 112.8 points per game in 2015 — the tenth most of any player in the competition. With the cap on interchange rotations being lowered, Deledio’s goal kicking nous will be even more invaluable in 2016 with the 232-game veteran likely to be rested deep forward, where he has the physicality to worry even the most experienced of defenders.

DID YOU KNOW

Adam Marcon and Kane Lambert are continuing their bromance at the Tigers this season. Marcon was rookie drafted to the club at the end of last year, following in the footsteps of Lambert who became a rookie the year prior. The two are best mates and have played alongside each other since they were juniors in footy and cricket at Preston.

WHY SHOULD IT BE YOUR SECOND CLUB?

Apart from having the best club song in the competition — cue, “yellow and black” — the Tigers have the arsenal to make the top four and secure the double chance. And behind Hawthorn, they look the most likely of the Victorian sides to shake up September action. Touchwood!

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