Another year of waiting for the TigersBy Ashley Browne
BackPageLead
Saturday, 05 March 2011 With 17 teams in the AFL, what are we to make of a 14th-place finish?
It could be the domain of a well-credentialled side cruelled by injury, or of a side slowly making its way up the ladder. Or it could be home to a flat-track bully, good enough to beat the sides below them, but not much good against the really good sides on the ladder.
In an even season, 14th could belong to a side that gets on a roll for part of the season and perhaps be in contention for the finals for a reasonable part of the season.
At BPL, we reckon there are only three sides who we absolutely can’t see making the finals this year – Brisbane, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast.
Next in line are a couple of sides that could make it to September if everything falls into place. One of those is Richmond.
The Tigers made a rapid transformation in the space of a few weeks last year from no-hoper to finals wildcard. It all started to come together as the midfield clicked, the gameplan started to work and the mercurial Jack Riewoldt emerged as the best full-forward in the league.
How exciting were the Tigers to watch as they grew in confidence by the week?
The challenge now is to keep things going. Richmond has the makings of a fine midfield. Trent Cotchin, Nathan Foley, Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards and Shane Tuck comprise a fine midfield when up and about; add coveted 2010 draft selection Reece Conca, number six overall, adds nicely to the mix. The important thing for the Tigers is their decision-making and skill levels, which so far this season, according to some reports, has been middling at best.
The backline is settled enough. Kelvin Moore re-emerged as the club’s premier defender, Brett Deledio provides run and carry and seems to have finally found his niche as a running half-back and become the potential superstar of a few years ago.
But as far as Richmond's finals hopes this year are concerned, it starts and ends with Riewoldt. His 78-goal haul last year for the Tigers gave him the John Coleman Medal and a more popular winner you could not have asked for.
But he will need some help. Richmond's next best goalkicker last season was Andrew Collins with 15; that's right, 15, and he now plays for Carlton. The Tigers need to find a second forward, good for 30-plus goals for the season, to have a sniff of the finals. And that's banking on 80 or so from Riewoldt.
Former Demon Brad Miller could be him. Perhaps Tyrone Vickery if he plays as a permanent forward. Mitch Morton has the potential, but we've been making that comment for several years. Morton is capable of some freakish acts on a footy field, but we'd like to see at least a goal and a half a week and lot more consistency.
In his second year at Tigerland, coach Damien Hardwick is patiently building a decent list. But he preached patience when he got the job and in his heart of hearts, wouldn't have expected a finals berth in his second season.
There will be times when the Tigers play some breathtaking footy and have us talking finals. There will be more weeks though, when they won't be competitive. Which is why 14th is whereabouts they'll finish.
In case you missed it14. Richmond
15. Gold Coast
16. Port Adelaide
17. Brisbane Lions
http://www.backpagelead.com.au/afl/3774-another-year-of-waiting-for-the-tigers
