Richmond better placed than Western Bulldogs to avoid dreaded premiership hangoverJON RALPH,
Herald Sun
October 13, 2017 RICHMOND is in position to avoid the Western Bulldogs’ premiership hangover with only a handful of players needing post-season surgery.
The Tigers’ stars have mostly escaped unscathed from a long season, with footy boss Neil Balme saying only six or seven players needed procedures.
That list is headed by Dan Rioli, who had several screws put into a broken metatarsal suffered late in the final quarter of the Grand Final win over Adelaide.
All-Australians Alex Rance and Dustin Martin have declined the chance to play in the International Rules series as they take leave.
But that pair along with Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin are all injury-free and will enjoy uninterrupted pre-seasons.
The Tigers have set their players a fitness program over the holidays and hope they return in elite shape to tackle the 2018 campaign.
The Western Bulldogs won their premiership with a list of banged-up players, many of whom needed surgery that delayed their summer training.
Balme said Richmond’s surgeries were knee and shoulder clean-ups that would not delay programs.
“(Rioli) had a couple of screws in his foot, it wasn’t the navicular. He will be off it for a while. He is in a boot but we expect him to be playing early,’’ Balme said.
“We have had blokes with little shoulder and knee issues, but they will be available for the pre-season.”
Ruckman Shaun Hampson still needs to monitor the back issue that hampered him all year.
Of the club’s fitness plan for its players, Balme was optimistic they would return in good shape.
“They have all got individual programs they need to stick to and we want them to be in decent shape when they get back,” he said.
“But as they say the proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
Sam Lloyd, contracted for next year, is expected to stay at Richmond after a year of development that didn’t result in a flag.
He lowered his 3km personal best from 12 minutes to 10min 09sec and in the VFL, turned into a midfielder who kicked goals running forward.
Anthony Miles has been offered a one-year deal but his manager Marty Pask said he was still considering his options.
Reece Conca is also a required player after playing great footy early before a lisfranc issue in his foot sidelined him mid-season.
The Tigers have rebuffed offers to turn one of their pair of first-round picks into two second-rounders to add options to their draft strategy.
But as of yet they have shown no inclination to use pick No.15 or 17 on Lions youngster Josh Schache, having dramatically cooled on him in recent months.
They seem certain to take father-son prospect Patrick Naish, with the winger/small forward seen to be in the 15-25 draft range.
http://www.themercury.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-better-placed-than-western-bulldogs-to-avoid-dreaded-premiership-hangover/news-story/12ed5de02e78d66e43e62506807f2699
