Preview #2 by Blummers32I still think Richmond are another year away from being able to play consistent footy and causing havoc with their opposition. They still give games to some sub-standard players who wouldn't be getting games at other clubs.
Not only do they have sub standard players, but their lack of foot skills has always been a concern. It's getting better, but it is still behind the better teams in the league.
Their back line is getting better but it is still behind the rest of the league. Their talls are their biggest problem as they aren't overly mobile players and don't do much when they have the ball. Their best tall would be Rance and he'd be better suited to play on mid sized forwards. McGuane, Astbury, Grimes and Moore aren't exactly the kind of players you can build a defense around. And I doubt a player like Buddy Franklin or even Hurley would be worried too much by having to play on either of those players.
Their smallish defender are good. And they seem to have the potential to be one of the best in the league in a few years time. Bachelor, Ellis and Newman are all going to be very good. Add in Houli and Deledio and you suddenly have good options.
Their mids are very good but it falls away quickly. Martin, Conca, Cotch and Foley are good and they can use Nahas, Deledio and Houli trou the middle, but they need more options and more quality depth to match it with the better teams.
Their rucks are a schemozzle. The worst rucks in the league with no real gun future options. Maric will turn out to be a mistake. Browne and Graham barely dominate VFL. Derrickx is their best option but had injuries last year and didn't perform well in VFL. I'm surprised they don't have a developing young ruck to work with (unless Vickery turn into a ruck option).
Their forwards are okay. Obviously they still rely on Reiwoldt but I think he has better support than he did a few years back.
Onto the players...
Matthew Arnot - he's a big boy. Definately ate is pasta as a kid. Not sure he will get games straight away but he should be okay. I'm not sure what his skills are like tough.
David Astbury - I liked the look of him as a forward. Thought the back line wasn't the spot for him though. Will be interesting to see where he plays.
Jake Batchelor - one of their better value picks of the last few years. Composed across the back and has a very good kick on him.
Andrew L. Browne - is lucky to be on any list. He's a 90s ruckman who will not be ale to adapt to modern ruck play.
Reece Conca - not sold on him yet, but he seems to go okay. Richmond would be kicking themselves that they didn't take Heppell, but Conca isn't such a bad option.
Daniel Connors - talented but off field issues are hurting him badly. He could find himself delisted as Richmond have found other options to play his role.
Brett Deledio - I know he's being groomed to move into the midfield, but with the small defensive options, I would like to see him move into the forward line a bit. Vickery, Deledio and Riewoldt could cause opposition some trouble.
Tom Derickx - yet to play a full game of AFL. They are trying to play him forward but he should eventually move back into the ruck. He's probably their best module ruckman (not that there is much to choose from).
Shane Edwards - not a fan, but slowly getting better. I doubt many other teams would have waited so long for him to get to the level he was at last year (which wasn't so high). His skills and decision making are still highly questionable.
Brandon Ellis - will slot in nicely in their back line.
Todd Elton - nice draft pick. Just needs some muscle and he will be a good forward prospect. He is tall enough to be a ruck, but I'm not sure he played much ruck in junior comps.
Nathan Foley - returned of injury solidly. He should be better this year while the opposition focus on Cotchin and Martin.
Angus Graham - terrible ruckman. Lucky to be on a list.
Ben Griffiths - was a damned good junior. But injuries screwed him and have continued to screw him. Not sure he'll get over is injuries and develop eou in time before someone else overtakes him.
Shaun Grigg - decent mid. If they had a few more mids like him, they'd be competitive more often.
Dylan Grimes - not a fan. Good defender, but just doesn't get much of the ball and therefore doesn't hurt the opposition enough.
Bachar Houli - still can have the odd brain fade. Am glad for him he's found a club hat will give him a chance, but I'm also glad he's not at our club.
Daniel Jackson - cost the club a few games last year with some stupid bonehead play. Average mid.
Jake King - not a fan. How he gets games is beyond me. Kicked the most goals in the league from the goal square. Do you really need a goal square specialist like him?
Ivan Maric - terrible trade. They didn't give up much but they would have been better served trading up a draft pick and going for Longer.
Luke McGuane - they seriously need to look elsewhere. He hurts their back line more than solidifies is.
Brad Miller - they should have found a replacement by now which they have. But he's still there for insurance.
Kelvin Moore - looked promising around 4 years ago but has not really impressed much since.
Steven Morris - tough backman. Hardwick will love him. Not sure Hardwick will be around long enough though.
Robin Nahas - not a fan. Cannot believe they play him through the middle. Think he'll get back to the forward line and Richmond will focus on giving others an opportunity through the middle.
Chris Newman - their best captain. Of the last decade. Actually their best one since Dale Weightman. Having said that they haven't had many great ones since.
Jayden Post - was supposed to be their next Richo but hasn't delivered yet. Just doesn't have the hunger for the ball the pat few years and am unsure if he ever will.
Alex Rance - has deservedly so earns himself a spot in their best team. Should continue to be a solid play for them.
Jack Riewoldt - an injury interrupted pre-season due to surgery and the matches vs Ireland. Think he'll have similar year to last season.
Shane Tuck - doesn't deserve a game. He gets the footy, but he also butchers it.
Tyrone Vickery - finally came on last season. Surprised that he prefers being a forward as I think he'd be of better value to the team as a ruck.
Jeromey Webberley - won't make it. He came to the club stick thin and is still struggling to build much muscle. Doesn't really hurt the opposition with his disposal so he should be held back in the VFL for the year.
Matt White - how does he get games? He does his best and has speed to burn, but he just doesn't tackle enough, finish when playing as a forward or hurt the opposition with is disposal.
Addam Maric - good rookie pick up. I think he will overtake Nahas eventually.
Gibson Turner - one of benfti's favorites. Should get some games eventually. They've really done well with their rookie picks.
they should be confident with their games in Vic against Melb (twice), Sydney, Saints, Freo, Bulldogs and Port. Their away games against Port, GWS, GC and Brisbane are also winnable.
That's enough to put them above the teams that have been looked at so far. But I think there is a big gap between them and the top 7 teams in the comp.
Richmond 11 winnable games
Adelaide 11 winnable games
Brisbane 10 winnable games
Gold Coast 10 winnable games
Melbourne 9 winnable games
Port Adelaide 8 winnable games
GWS 5 winnable games
http://www.bomberblitz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=64029&st=15#
