I couldn't find this on the Net so I scanned it in....
RICHMOND
By Michael Warner
Herald-Sun AFL Football Magazine
SAT 17 MAR 2012, Page N34
BECOME A MEMBER 1300 742 466
TIME TO BREAK THE CURSE
The honeymoon is over for Damien Hardwick. The Tigers must climb the ladder in 2012 or big questions will be asked.
The good news for fans is that the club is finally building depth.
Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio and Jack Riewoldt are bona fide stars, but it's the kids coming through that give hope to the Richmond faithful.
Tyrone Vickery, Jake Batchelor, Dylan Grimes, Reece Conca, Robin Nahas, Alex Rance and Ben Griffiths have all showed signs.
Throw in ruckman recruit Ivan Maric, skipper Chris Newman, Nathan Foley, Dan Jackson, Bachar Houli and highly-fancied draft picks Steven Morris and Brandon Ellis and there's a solid squad developing.
The bad news is the continued absence of key defender Kelvin Moore and a shocking recent record against top-four teams.
The potential is there, but can Hardwick break the 30-year curse of Punt Rd?
SEASON FORECAST
9th-10th
5 PLAYERS TO WATCH
LIKE FATHER ...
STEVEN MORRIS, the hard-nut son of 1973-74 premiership player Kevin, has been a standout on the track. The 23-year-old small defender was recruited after a breakout year with SANFLclub West Adelaide and will play in Round 1. The man likely to free Brett Deledio for a return to the midfield.
RUCK RECRUIT
Trent Cotchin can hardly wipe the smile from his face at the prospect of roving to a ruckman who competes like IVAN MARIC. The Tigers made a play for North Melbourne's Drew Petrie but may have solved a major problem in luring Maric from Adelaide. A great get by the Tigers.
MARCH SURPRISE
MATT DEA, the former basketballer turned AFL defender could be the surprise packet for the Tigers. "He's a guy that injury-free we expect to play 22 games. I'd be disappointed if he didn't play every game," Hardwick said this summer. One of the hardest workers on the track and in the gym.
SMOOTH OPERATOR
After a debut season in the backline, REECE CONCA will move into the middle where he made his mark taken at pick 6 in the 2010 national draft. "He provides a bit of toughness and a bit of silk around the football," captain Chris Newman says.
BATCHELOR BOY OR MAN
Tough, skilled and mature beyond his years, JAKE BATCHELOR is emerging as a cult figure of the Tiger Army playing in the mould of Corey Enright. Slightly interrupted pre-season but should be ready to go from Round 1.
INSTANT RECALL
2011 SEASON 12th
BEST & FAIREST - 1. T. COTCHIN, 2. B. DELEDIO, 3. D. MARTIN
GOALS NO.1 - J. RIEWOLDT 62
DISPOSALS NO.1 - B. DELEDIO 563
SUPERCOACH POINTS MACHINE
DUSTIN MARTIN is a contested-ball machine who can go forward and kick a bag of goals. If only "don't argues" could earn points. Footy's newest version of Adelaide's Mark Ricciuto.
CENTRE OF ATTENTION
SuperCoach stalwart BRETT DELEDIO averaged 104.9 points a game last year. Hardwick has flagged a return to the midfield after several seasons across half back. Out of contract and ready to silence his critics.
