The tall forwards Richmond should chase to help Jack Riewoldt and mosquito fleetJune 20, 2017
Sarah Olle
FOX SPORTSWHILE Richmond’s mosquito fleet was the talk of the town at the beginning of the season, a string of close losses has brought not just the Tigers’ mindset, but structure, into question.
With Ben Griffiths suffering a plethora of concussions and Todd Elton dropped back to the VFL after kicking just one goal from six games, it’s clear more than ever that Jack Riewoldt needs some vertical assistance in the forward line.
On Saturday against the Swans, Riewoldt was the tallest of the starting Tiger forwards at 195cm.
Alongside him was Daniel Rioli (179cm), Dan Butler (182cm), Kane Lambert (178cm), Sam Lloyd (180cm) and Josh Caddy (186cm).
Shai Bolton (175cm) and Jason Castagna (181cm) also rotated through the forward line, while Dustin Martin (187cm) pinch hit as a medium-sized option.
LIVE stream every game of every round of the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >>
At the other end of the field, Sam Reid (196cm) and Lance Franklin (199cm) played at full forward and centre half forward, while youngsters Will Hayward (185cm) and George Hewett (187cm) performed medium tall roles, with Tom Papley (177cm) and Kieren Jack (177cm) nipping at their heels.
There was more balance in the Swans’ forward line — at least from a height perspective.
And while Richmond’s mental frailty has been blamed for the capitulation, Essendon legend Tim Watson suggested the nine-point loss was more a reflection of the Tigers’ structure.
“You need more than one marking target — you’re never going to get the job done with just one bloke like Jack Riewoldt and five smalls,” Watson said on SEN.
“Structurally and fundamentally they didn’t have the right make-up in that team.
“I really believe that they’ll go away from that game and say as good as our small forwards are, as quick as they are, as much pressure as they apply, when they get tired and we need to kick the ball long down the line and we’ve only go Jack Riewoldt there.
“The opposition know you’ve only got Jack Riewoldt there — that is not going to get the job done at the business end of the season.”
THE MISSING LINKWhile Tyrone Vickery has hardly set the world on fire at Hawthorn, it’s clear Richmond is missing a player of his mould.
There are grave doubts for Griffiths’ playing future, after the 200cm forward was ruled out of football indefinitely after receiving a concussion in his return VFL match in April.
Ivan Soldo was also trialled down forward once Toby Nankervis returned from suspension in Round 9 against GWS, but only registered five disposals.
Meanwhile, Elton has only managed 10 games since being drafted at the end of 2011 and is out of contract at the end of this season.
At 198cm, Mabior Chol looms as the only realistic option to fill the void.
But Richmond coach Damien Hardwick flagged he was hesitant to blood the 20-year-old.
“We’ve probably got one inexperienced tall at the moment, Mabior Chol, who is on our rookie list,” Hardwick said on Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“All of the other guys are unfortunately injured at this stage. It’s whether we throw the young fella in there and see if he can rise or we just got with the 22nd best player on our list at the moment and that’s probably the option we’ve chosen at this stage.
“It probably did cost us a bit on the weekend. We were looking to go down the line and we didn’t have that beacon up there.
“I think going forward longer term we certainly need to look at that position.”
TALL FORWARD TARGETSJosh Schache may have been locked away at Brisbane until the end of 2019, but there are a number of options Richmond could look at to help boost its tall forward stocks.
Sydney’s Sam Reid will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year and at only 25 would fit the Tigers’ age profile.
Another Swan in Kurt Tippett has also been suggested as a potential trade target for Richmond, with Kane Cornes saying a deal could benefit both clubs.
Tippett is contracted until the end of 2018 and Sydney has stated he’s a required player, but if the 30-year-old finishes the season in the NEAFL a departure wouldn’t be beyond reach.
Meanwhile, it’s understood Levi Casboult will test the market at the end of the year, when the Carlton forward will become a restricted free agent.
Melbourne champion Garry Lyon told SEN Casboult could be a perfect fit at Richmond.
“I think (Richmond) might have to go searching because Ben Griffiths — I hope he comes back — but I’m concerned about the concussion stuff with him” Lyon said.
“If he doesn’t get himself up, they might have to go looking. There’s a little something that Levi Casboult could be in the frame.
“All good sides have two big keys.”
POTENTIAL TIGER TARGETS?
— Levi Casboult (Carlton)
— Sam Reid (Sydney)
— Kurt Tippett (Sydney)
— Devon Smith (GWS Giants)
— Mitch McGovern (Adelaide)
— Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/talls-tigers-must-chase-to-increase-vertical-limit-the-players-richmond-could-use-to-complement-forward-line/news-story/0e955540e63a1cbb6e684001d81466fa
