Lethal's replies...
Leigh Matthews: Hi Matthew - I think they would be generally believing they should be pushing toward the eight. Realistic improvement is probably into the ninth to 12th bracket.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Troy - I think consistency and the ability to chase, tackle and pressure which I think has been their achilles heel recently.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Damien - I'm sure the Tigers will be giving consideration to the small group of players that may be a possibility of changing clubs but no one in particular.
Leigh Matthews: Hi 7c - In summary it started badly, it had a spurt of promise around the middle and I guess their last game was almost their most. In the end I think they had lost hope and this often leads to a loss of energy and poor performance.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Troy - I offered Damien [Hardwick] a job with the Brisbane Lions when he retired from Port so I have a great regard for his character and capabilities. I would think he should do very well.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Tigers Claws - I still belive that a dominant forward can make up for a lot of problems elsewhere. A midfield is made up of eight to 10 players so there are more good midfielders than there are top quality power forwards which are harder to find. Jack Riewoldt and Mitch Morton showed glimpses and hopefully as they get more experience will become more consistently good.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Brad - Ben [Cousins] had a very good year given he was the last player in the competition listed. On that basis it has been a fantastic return on investment. Any player over 30 is always a year to year prospect.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Hutchy - I think what Richmond get at pick three will probably be the best player available rather than a specific type.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Taylor - Brett [Deledio] is primarily a midfielder and that still would be where he played the majority of his season, but what he has proven is that he can go into the forward 50 and be a dangerous forward. On the other hand he does not look comfortable playing in defence.
Leigh Matthews: Hi JB - I believe disposal skill level is more about the player than the coach. Coaching will help but as we have seen with Melbourne's Liam Jurrah and Daniel Rich at Brisbane good disposal skills, particularly kicking tend to be locked in before a player even arrives at an AFL club.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Snowy - No so much this year but remember in 12 months time the Gold Coast will have most of the best draft selections and a $9 million salary cap to spend on existing AFL players. So it will be very difficult for existing clubs to compete in any rebuilding race.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Mark - I don't think that's an easy decision given Richo's age and injury this year. On balance if it was me I couldn't give a definitive yes or no without being closely involved with the Richmond situation from the inside.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Shotty - My observations of Richmond are more about the way they play on the field which is more about a greater level of defensive pressure on the opposition than they regularly apply. I always believe culture is about people, if the people at Richmond are good then so will be their culture. I don't believe that clubs have a unique culture over the decades, it changes with the people of the time.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Michael - I think Tyrone has had a promising first year for a teenage ruckman and should be a good player when he matures.
Leigh Matthews: Hi JB - I don't think the numbers of people at Richmond have been a problem. I don't think it's a matter that the more people you have off-field the better the on-field result will be.
Leigh Matthews: Hi JB - I think Kel Moore, Luke McGuane and Will Thursfield have shown promise as tall defenders. Like most of the Richmond team they have been inconsistent but have played well at times.
Leigh Matthews: Hi Aleshia - Like everyone I am impressed with Trent Cotchin. Hopefully he can have an injury-free pre-season and have a chance to be at his best next year. He is an extremely promising player. Vickery looks promising as a young ruckman and Jayden Post gave some good glimpses in the second half of the year.
