Richmond Tigers season 2014 report card: Who can they trade, how can they improve Al Paton
News Corp Australia Network
September 25, 2014 WHAT did Richmond get right and wrong in 2014, and what — and who — do the Tigers need to climb the ladder. See our verdict and have your say.
SNAPSHOTWins: 12
Losses: 11
Draws: 0
Ladder position: 8th
%: 105.8
Last year: 7th (15-8)
WHAT WENT RIGHTFrom Round 15-23, just about everything. The Tigers set records with a nine-match winning streak that landed them an unlikely finals berth, rescuing a season that looked headed for the scrapheap. On a personnel front Brandon Ellis had a breakout year to make the All-Australian squad in his third season, Alex Rance made the A-A team, Anthony Miles was a rookie revelation, Dustin Martin found a new level of consistent excellence, Ben Griffiths showed he could have a future and key defender David Astbury was a shining light in the first half of the year.
WHAT WENT WRONGRounds 1-14. In that time the Tigers lost games from unlosable positions, were hugely outclassed in others and the effort against Melbourne the week after the club farewelled legendary coach Tom Hafey was a new low for some supporters. Injuries to key players Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric and Alex Rance (who fell off his bike and broke his foot) gutted the team and exposed issues of depth and confidence. Jack Riewoldt started the year with a self-imposed media ban then lifted it only to put his foot in his mouth questioning Damien Hardwick’s game plan. On the recruiting front, the decision to give up a second-round draft pick for Shaun Hampson was looking decidedly questionable by the end of the season as the former Blue played second ruck in the VFL behind Orren Stephenson.
BEST-AND-FAIRESTLikely to be a race in two between skipper Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin for the Jack Dyer Medal. Brandon Ellis could be the bolter and don’t be surprised if Shane Edwards finishes top-five.
SUPERCOACH STUDCotchin and Martin provided high scores across the season, but Anthony Miles was one of the SuperCoach success stories of 2014. He was priced at $246,000 when he played his first game in Round 12 and by the final round had shot up to $487,000 on the back of six 100-plus scores and just one under 80. Put him on the radar for next year.
SUPERCOACH DUDReece Conca was right in the mid-price conversation at the start of the year and fitted the mould of a high draft pick ready to take the next step. But he managed to lose almost $100,000 in value as his average dropped from 81.2 last year to 77.8, breaking the ton only three times and topping it off with a suspension for whacking Giant Devon Smith.
THE LISTElite: Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt
Big improvers: Anthony Miles, David Astbury, Brandon Ellis, Ben Griffiths
Gone: Jake King (retired), Daniel Jackson (retired), Aaron Edwards, Brett O’Hanlon, Brad Helbig, Orren Stephenson, Ben Darrou, Cadeyn Williams, Todd Banfield
Going, going: -
Trade bait: Jake Batchelor, Matt Dea, Todd Elton
WHAT THEY NEEDThere is a vacancy for a classy small forward — Jeff Garlett’s name has been mentioned — but that position could be filled by Matt McDonough or Chris Knights, if he ever gets over his knee problems. Like all clubs, Richmond would take some more depth in the midfield especially some classy outside run to compliment Deledio and Ellis. If they can find a way to prize Dylan Shiel out of GWS he would fit the bill perfectly, but it’s hard to see what the Tigers could offer that would satisfy the Giants in a trade.
PREMIERSHIP CLOCKIf the Tigers were at 7pm this time last year aiming for a 10pm premiership window, they are about 7.30pm now. In terms of wins they went backwards but they found some players, played in another final and injected another year of experience into what is still a young list. If Ivan Maric is right, the disaster that was the first half of the season could be the lesson they needed on what is required to be a serious contender. The problem for Richmond is Port Adelaide will be at the top for a while, North Melbourne has gone past the Tigers and Sydney and Hawthorn aren’t likely to drop off any time soon. And Gold Coast and GWS are looming in the rear-view mirror. In short, the Tigers can’t afford another year of minimal progression — if they are going to break a 32-year flag drought, it’s time to make their move.
CHAMPION DATA SAYSTick: After managing only three wins and 10 losses from its opening 13 games, Richmond went on a nine-match unbeaten run to make the top eight. They ranked No. 1 on the form ladder from Round 15 and led the competition for clearance differential (+6.7).
Cross: The Tigers recorded a shot at goal accuracy of 58.1 per cent in winning quarters compared to 36.4 per cent in losing quarters — a differential of +21.7% which was the biggest of any side in the competition.
STATShttp://e.infogr.am/report-card-richmond?src=embedhttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-tigers-season-2014-report-card-who-can-they-trade-how-can-they-improve/story-fni5f9jb-1227068978419
