Richmond season preview: Can Hardwick bring finals footy back to Punt Rd? (Fox)

[one-eyed]

Richmond 2017 season preview: Can Damien Hardwick bring finals footy back to Punt Road?

    Riley Beveridge
    FOX SPORTS
    March 7, 2017

THE season ahead has been touted as a make-or-break year for many at Punt Road.

But, following a successful trade period that went rather under the radar due to some high profile moves, there’s reason for many of the Richmond faithful to be optimistic in 2017.

Dion Prestia was the club’s marquee signing, offsetting the loss of veteran Brett Deledio, with a couple of other prized recruits putting the Tigers back in the frame for finals footy.

Josh Caddy and Toby Nankervis also arrived from Geelong and Sydney respectively, giving Damien Hardwick’s side a more balanced look with stronger depth around the ground.

It’s fortunate timing for the Tigers coach, who will undoubtedly have his future debated throughout the season, despite being contracted through to 2018.

Winning will obviously help ease the pressure on Richmond, but for a side who won only eight games last year, one has to wonder just how much they can improve this year.


2016 WAS ...

ONE to forget. Richmond looked sluggish from the outset, losing six straight games after a Round 1 victory over Carlton, and never really recovered throughout the year. An 8-14 season piled the pressure on coach Damien Hardwick, forcing him to look towards the future as the season drew to a close. An after-the-siren victory over Sydney in Round 8 sparked a three-game winning streak and was undoubtedly the side’s high point of the season.

PASS MARK

Finals — AFTER three consecutive finals appearances between 2013 and 2015, Richmond will be looking to return to the top eight this season. The club may have lost some class and experience in the form of Brett Deledio, but it picked up three top quality recruits to give the side some depth across the board. After finishing 13th last year, the onus will be on coach Damien Hardwick to return this team to September action.

JAKE’S TAKE

“LAST year was a disaster that has put Damien Hardwick in the firing line. But the Tigers can only strive for improvement and a slight shift into development mode. Prestia and Caddy will more than offset the loss of Deledio and bring a more competitive season, but finals are unlikely. I think they’ll win about 10 or 11 games.” — Jake Niall.

CHAMPION DATA SAYS ...

“BY the end of the season, Richmond was ranked 15th for time in forward half differential, 16th for forward half stoppages and 16th for turnovers created in the forward half. They had the second-highest percentage of disposals in their defensive half and the second-lowest metres gained per kick in the league. Territory is vital in the modern game and Richmond had taken a significant step backwards from this.” — Champion Data’s 2017 Prospectus (BUY THE BOOK HERE).

THE TRADE PERIOD

RICHMOND enjoyed a really strong exchange period and was arguably the best wheeler and dealer at the trade table. The Tigers moved Pick 6 to Gold Coast for Dion Prestia and a draft selection, which they then flipped for Geelong’s Josh Caddy. They then picked up Toby Nankervis for virtually nothing. They’ll also start next year’s draft with two first-round picks after shifting veteran Brett Deledio to the Giants.

Who Left: Troy Chaplin (Retired), Reece McKenzie (Retired), Liam McBean (Delisted), Adam Marcon (Delisted), Tyrone Vickery (Hawthorn), Brett Deledio (GWS Giants), Andrew Moore (Delisted)

Who Arrived: Dion Prestia (Gold Coast), Toby Nankervis (Sydney), Josh Caddy (Geelong)

Draft Picks: Shai Bolton (Pick 29), Jack Graham (Pick 53), Ryan Garthwaite (Pick 72)

Rookies: Tyson Stengle (Pick 6)


THE COACH

Damien Hardwick — THE pressure gauge at Punt Road has been dialled up. Following a lamentable season last year, the heat is on Hardwick to return the Tigers to the finals in what will be his eighth season in charge. The 44-year-old is contracted through until the end of 2018, but his future at the club is likely to be an ongoing storyline throughout the season, especially if he can’t deliver September footy back to the Tigers faithful.

THE GUN

Alex Rance — AN All-Australian three years running, Rance has undoubtedly matured into the league’s best defender over the last 12 months. So talented in one-on-one situations, Rance can also rebound and intercept as well as anyone in the competition. He rated elite for disposals and intercepting last season, while Champion Data ranked him above average for kicking, metres gained, spoiling and defending one-on-one contests.

THE NEXT BIG THING

Daniel Rioli — THE Tigers have high hopes for Rioli, who showed promising signs of his potential throughout his rookie season last year. Taken with Pick 15 in the 2015 draft, the youngster got 18 games under his belt in his maiden campaign at Punt Road. He provided plenty of forward pressure inside 50, while he slotted 13 goals for the year. Expect him to continue his development with a bigger role in the side this season.

BEST 22

B: Nick Vlastuin, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes

HB: Brandon Ellis, David Astbury, Bachar Houli

C: Josh Caddy, Dustin Martin, Shaun Grigg

HF: Daniel Rioli, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards

F: Sam Lloyd, Ben Griffiths, Toby Nankervis

FOLL: Shaun Hampson, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia

I/C: Jayden Short, Corey Ellis, Oleg Markov, Anthony Miles

EMG: Reece Conca, Kamdyn McIntosh, Kane Lambert

OTHERS: Jake Batchelor, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad, Dan Butler, Nathan Drummond, Todd Elton, Ryan Garthwaite, Jack Graham, Taylor Hunt, Ben Lennon, Ivan Maric, Connor Menadue, Steven Morris, Jacob Townsend

ROOKIES: Jason Castagna, Mabior Chol, Callum Moore, Ivan Soldo, Tyson Stengle

IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR ...

Brandon Ellis — BESIDES skipper Trent Cotchin, Ellis was at the forefront of criticism aimed at the Tigers last year as they plummeted down the ladder. While his durability can’t be questioned, Ellis’ impact on games diminished compared to his previous two seasons, averaging just 85.4 Champion Data ranking points per match — 15 less than his 2015 output. Out of contract at the end of 2017, Ellis will be judged primarily on his workrate as an outside player — a workrate that must return to its peak this season.

SUPERCOACH MUST HAVE

Josh Caddy ($488,600) — FOLLOWING his move from Geelong over the off-season, you can expect Caddy to rotate through the midfield more at Punt Road this year. He averaged 93.7 SuperCoach points per game in 2015, but that dropped to 89.8 last season after he was forced into a forward role with the Cats due to Patrick Dangerfield’s arrival. Classified as a forward this year, he could be a bargain buy at under $500,000.

WHY IT SHOULD BE YOUR SECOND CLUB

BECAUSE everyone needs some extra drama in their lives.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/richmond-2017-season-preview-can-damien-hardwick-bring-finals-footy-back-to-punt-road/news-story/fffe8cda9319cb1e966f1ad9e40b9a45

[yandb]

With our two best sellers of panic in both half back flank roles our defence is  screwed over already.

[FlashGordon]

With our two best sellers of panic in both half back flank roles our defence is already screwed over already.

It gets better when you add the walk up start in Hunt to that line 

[big tone]

I wouldn't play Griff until he showed some decent form in the 2's. He has been gifted enough AFL footy imo.
I'd rather we go with an extra small forward for forward pressure than playing Griff that is hopeless. Especially when the opposition have the footy.
The Doggies did it last year and it worked pretty well for them. And the Hawks have done it for a while  too with Pop, Rioli and Bruest.

With guys like Caddy, Cotch and Martin able to rest forward, and with Jack, we could have some genuine speed and forward pressure with the likes of Rioli, Short, George, Edwards and even Bulter.

Big Nank would have to shoulder much of the load in the ruck but I think we just need to be quicker as a side and run teams off their feet.
Getting rid of plodders like Grigg, Houli, Hampson and Hunt would help too.

Hopefully Bolton and Stengle can get some early form too and push for selection which would give us even more pace.

[Yeahright]

So you think we go with a line up that only includes Nank and Jack as the talls (excluding backmen)?

[Chuck17]

I am still hearing the bitching and moaning about Ivan being run into the ground until he was broken

Talk about short memories

[YellowandBlackBlood]

From the chicken littles?

[Willy]

Play Ivan and Nank. Leave Griff out.

[Damo]

Hardwick can't get them back

Hopefully the players can get him back

[the claw]

I wouldn't play Griff until he showed some decent form in the 2's. He has been gifted enough AFL footy imo.
I'd rather we go with an extra small forward for forward pressure than playing Griff that is hopeless. Especially when the opposition have the footy.
The Doggies did it last year and it worked pretty well for them. And the Hawks have done it for a while  too with Pop, Rioli and Bruest.

With guys like Caddy, Cotch and Martin able to rest forward, and with Jack, we could have some genuine speed and forward pressure with the likes of Rioli, Short, George, Edwards and even Bulter.

Big Nank would have to shoulder much of the load in the ruck but I think we just need to be quicker as a side and run teams off their feet.
Getting rid of plodders like Grigg, Houli, Hampson and Hunt would help too.

Hopefully Bolton and Stengle can get some early form too and push for selection which would give us even more pace.

It is a real misnomer if people think the Hawks or WB play  or will play  short in the fwd half.

Last yr the dogs compensated with 190 - 192cm talls in Stringer, Cordy in the g/f, and at the time a still struggling Tom Boyd who gave the kpp height.They also rotated Bontompelli a genuine kp height thru there.

They could well go with Stringer, Crameri, one of Redpath who was very good until injury or Cloke. plus play Roughead and Boyd as rucks and ruck/fwd.Or they could well move Stringer to a midfield role either way they will be tall.
They got Cloke in because they lost Redpath and did not have a big kpf to replace him with.

The other one who will definately play making them an even bigger team is Adams at chb who absolutely blitzed it until injuries struck him down last yr.
People should not forget this structure actually got them in a position to make finals and they played just as good footy with them if not better.
When injuries struck they found a way but their best side or close to it half of it would contain players who are 190cm plus.
Roberts 196, Adams 193, Morris 190, Boyd 200, Redpath 194, Crameri 190, Stringer 192, Roughead 200, Bontompelli 193, Dunkley 190, McCrae 191.

Hawthorn have a kid called Tim O'Brien only played 18 games 14 last yr and he showed a hell of a lot of promise they have traditionally played tall fwds i have no doubt all of Gunston 3rd tall O'Brien kpp and Roughead kpp will be their set up. Most likely imo they will play Puopolo, Rioli and Sicily at their feet. Bruest will likely rotate thru there but will play mostly as a mid or very high fwd.

Good teams do not play without good structure we kid ourselves if we think otherwise.

[(•))(©™]

Seems hardwick was on,y ever hired to MAKE finals.

Aim high, RFC!

[Yeahright]

Hawthorn have a kid called Tim O'Brien only played 18 games 14 last yr and he showed a hell of a lot of promise they have traditionally played tall fwds i have no doubt all of Gunston 3rd tall O'Brien kpp and Roughead kpp will be their set up. Most likely imo they will play Puopolo, Rioli and Sicily at their feet. Bruest will likely rotate thru there but will play mostly as a mid or very high fwd.

Add McEvoy and Vickery ruck/fwd combo

[big tone]

I wouldn't play Griff until he showed some decent form in the 2's. He has been gifted enough AFL footy imo.
I'd rather we go with an extra small forward for forward pressure than playing Griff that is hopeless. Especially when the opposition have the footy.
The Doggies did it last year and it worked pretty well for them. And the Hawks have done it for a while  too with Pop, Rioli and Bruest.

With guys like Caddy, Cotch and Martin able to rest forward, and with Jack, we could have some genuine speed and forward pressure with the likes of Rioli, Short, George, Edwards and even Bulter.

Big Nank would have to shoulder much of the load in the ruck but I think we just need to be quicker as a side and run teams off their feet.
Getting rid of plodders like Grigg, Houli, Hampson and Hunt would help too.

Hopefully Bolton and Stengle can get some early form too and push for selection which would give us even more pace.

It is a real misnomer if people think the Hawks or WB play  or will play  short in the fwd half.

Last yr the dogs compensated with 190 - 192cm talls in Stringer, Cordy in the g/f, and at the time a still struggling Tom Boyd who gave the kpp height.They also rotated Bontompelli a genuine kp height thru there.

They could well go with Stringer, Crameri, one of Redpath who was very good until injury or Cloke. plus play Roughead and Boyd as rucks and ruck/fwd.Or they could well move Stringer to a midfield role either way they will be tall.
They got Cloke in because they lost Redpath and did not have a big kpf to replace him with.

The other one who will definately play making them an even bigger team is Adams at chb who absolutely blitzed it until injuries struck him down last yr.
People should not forget this structure actually got them in a position to make finals and they played just as good footy with them if not better.
When injuries struck they found a way but their best side or close to it half of it would contain players who are 190cm plus.
Roberts 196, Adams 193, Morris 190, Boyd 200, Redpath 194, Crameri 190, Stringer 192, Roughead 200, Bontompelli 193, Dunkley 190, McCrae 191.

Hawthorn have a kid called Tim O'Brien only played 18 games 14 last yr and he showed a hell of a lot of promise they have traditionally played tall fwds i have no doubt all of Gunston 3rd tall O'Brien kpp and Roughead kpp will be their set up. Most likely imo they will play Puopolo, Rioli and Sicily at their feet. Bruest will likely rotate thru there but will play mostly as a mid or very high fwd.

Good teams do not play without good structure we kid ourselves if we think otherwise.

You have said this all before Claw but thanks for the replay.
The Diggies do rotate their tall mids through the forwardline just like I suggested we do. Dusty may only be 188 odd but can play taller same with Caddy and even Cotch is a decent mark overhead.
The Doggies may have The Bont, Stringer, McCrae and Dunkley at 190 plus playing forward at times but all those guys "play small" more so than play tall. Don't let their actual height confuse you on how they play.
My point was we should play a more mobile forwardline with players that can still contest in the air but more importantly compete when the footy hits the ground. And if Big Griff is not even taking a few catches why put up with his lack of everything we are striving for.

[Yeahright]

Gee wiz no Griff forward and we are really struggling to score

[big tone]

Gee wiz no Griff forward and we are really struggling to score

We scored 100 points- something we don't do much when Griff is in the side.