Trendsetters: How your club has changed its game in season 2015Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
April 22, 2015 10:30 PMRICHMONDAlex Rance has elevated himself from All Australian in 2014 to arguably the best defender in the game, but it is his attacking assets that are becoming a key to how the Tigers play. Rance has taken 12 intercept marks in 2015 (ranked No.5 in the AFL), with Richmond conceding 24 marks inside 50 (also ranked No.5). Rance sets up the Tigers offensively, and his improved efficiency (91.2 per cent) is a key reason why he is now trusted to take risks.
At the other end of the ground Ben Griffiths has become the Tigers' preferred second tall ahead of Ty Vickery. Between the arcs the Tigers are kicking more, with their kick to handball ratio lifting from 1.27 in 2014 to 1.32 this season.
Captain Trent Cotchin has been part of this trend, handballing less and lifting his kick average from 15.7 last year to 17.3 in the first three rounds. As a result the skipper is more damaging, gaining 552m with his possessions in round three, more than any other Tiger except Bachar Houli (634m).
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-22/changing-the-game