Richmond rebuild imminent, but how long will it last?In looking at rival sides in similar positions, namely North Melbourne and Hawthorn, Richmond have the blueprint on what not to do.
Aidan Cellini
zerohanger.com.au
May 22, 2024Nine players 30 and over. Soon to be 10.
A lack of young talent coming through the ranks, while rivals are keen to pick the food (players) out of the Hippo's teeth (Richmond's list).
A pair of losses over 90 points and a departing CEO who's destined for the AFL's 19th team.
A champion player who looks tired as an injury toll challenges the size of an NFL team.
And a new coach whose initiation into the league has been anything but smooth.
This is what Richmond is currently facing.
However, Tigers fans can find solace in the recent dynasty that secured the club three premierships in four years.
But with only one win in 2024 and a lowly percentage of 59.6%, fear is starting to set in about how long this pain may endure.
So where does Richmond begin?
Unfortunately for the Tigers, they cannot pull off a regeneration model like they'd hoped when Damien Hardwick was still at the helm meaning a full rebuild is on the agenda.
And that means heading to the draft.
Richmond, as it stands, currently holds Picks 2, 22, 30, 40 and a smattering of third and fourth-round selections, taking their total to nine.
Commodities Jack Graham, Baker, Martin and Rioli have been flagged as marketable options for opposing clubs, but will the Tigers make such shrewd calls against premiership heroes?
Daniel Rioli during Richmond's open training on December 20, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)
In looking at rival sides in similar positions, namely North Melbourne and Hawthorn, Richmond have the blueprint on what not to do.
Both the Hawks and Kangaroos sliced themselves open by releasing experienced talent when starting to dive from the top of the ladder.
And both have yet to recover.
The Tigers have 15 premiership players and are ranked 10th for experience.
Albeit a glum time at Punt Road, especially off the back of a 119-point loss to Brisbane, there is time for reason, whilst judgement is put on hold.
Adem Yze's nightmare introduction to AFL coaching has fellow counterparts sympathising, as player after player has gone down with injury.
From stars to role players and now depth players, Yze could see 20-listed footballers sidelined for Saturday's clash with Essendon, testing whether a required squad of 26 can be named.
Going forward, luck will ideally turn for Yze and the Tigers in terms of an injury space and their key players Baker, Rioli, Graham and Martin will stay.
Gold Coast coach Hardwick was adamant that his former side will bounce back as soon as their personnel return.
“They've got some challenges, what I do know, the second half of the year when they get those players back, look out, they're going to be hard to beat,” Hardwick said on Fox Footy's AFL 360.
“What we have to realise is they've got half their side on the sideline.
"The reality is, I took over a club that was very similar.
“When people move aside or coaches move on, there is going to be a rebuilding process because a new coach is going to come in with a different game plan, different player requirements different staffing requirements – it takes time.”
Richmond's draft hand is strong and their priority should be to strengthen it, which is the key to accelerating the rebuild and avoiding 'no man's land'.
Letting go of experienced players may assist in acquiring compelling picks but the likely cost of losing said experience may be more of a detriment than an improvement, with the Kangaroos exhibit A.
https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-2024-news-richmond-tigers-adem-yze-dustin-martin-rebuild-imminent-but-how-long-will-it-last-150976/
