How the Tigers look for 2017 AFL seasonESPN
March 9, 2017RICHMOND
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain: Trent Cotchin
Last five years: 12-7-8-7-13
Premiership clock: 5 o'clock - the Tigers look like they need a year to reset before launching again.
Key five: Alex Rance, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin, Toby Nankervis.
One to watch: Dustin Martin. The bullocking midfielder elevated his game to a new level last season to claim his first Jack Dyer Medal. He is out of contract at the end of 2017 and his focus will be tested by media speculation about his future.
Under the pump: Dion Prestia. The Tigers gave up a round-one draft pick to recruit Prestia from Gold Coast, they've lost Brett Deledio and they badly need midfield support for captain Trent Cotchin. In short, Richmond need a big season from Prestia.
Ins: Shai Bolton (South Fremantle, WAFL), Josh Caddy (Geelong), Ryan Garthwaite (Murray U18), Jack Graham (North Adelaide SANFL), Toby Nankervis (Sydney), Dion Prestia (Gold Coast), Jayden Short (rookie elevation), Tyson Stengle (Woodville-West Torrens SANFL).
Outs: Troy Chaplin (retired), Brett Deledio (GWS), Adam Marcon (delisted), Liam McBean (delisted), Reece McKenzie (retired), Andrew Moore (delisted), Ty Vickery (Hawthorn).
Best line-up:B: Kamdyn McIntosh, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes
HB: Bachar Houli, Alex Rance, Jayden Short
C: Oleg Markov, Trent Cotchin, Shaun Grigg
HF: Dion Prestia, Ben Griffiths, Shane Edwards
F: Sam Lloyd, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
R: Toby Nankervis, Dustin Martin, Josh Caddy
I: Reece Conca, Anthony Miles, Nick Vlastuin, Brandon Ellis
Predicted finish: 11th
Betting (William Hill)
To win the flag: $51
To make the top eight: $4
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Tigers look to rebound from year to forgetQuestions abound at Punt Road as Richmond prepare for an AFL season that could make or break coach Damien Hardwick.
After three elimination final losses in succession, the Tigers were supposed to climb further up the ladder last year, but instead, suffered through a disastrous campaign.
An uninspiring round-one win over rebuilding Carlton was followed by six losses, the Tigers going on to finish 13th with just eight wins.
Can Richmond bounce back into finals contention in 2017?
Certainly Hardwick believes they can, the coach unapologetically setting the bar high in his eighth year in charge.
It's fair to say that's not a view widely shared outside the club, but there are reasons for cautious optimism at Tigerland.
(Photo by Justine Walker/AFL Media/Getty Images)
The club's three experienced recruits - Dion Prestia from Gold Goast, Josh Caddy from Geelong and Toby Nankervis from Sydney - have all created significant buzz among the fan base after their pre-season outings for the club.
That buzz reaches fever pitch whenever emerging second-year forward Daniel Rioli's name is mentioned.
Reigning Jack Dyer medallist Dustin Martin looks capable of taking his game to even greater heights, while Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt round out an elite nucleus.
Add to that an off-field makeover that brought respected football chief Neil Balme into the fold and there's a feeling of regeneration at Tigerland.
"We just want to make the most of our opportunities ... we can't put a ceiling on what we expect," Balme told AAP.
"We think our best will be good enough.
"Last year was a disappointing year, but the previous three were pretty competitive and not much has changed from that point of view.
"We know that previous years don't do anything for you on the field but I don't think things have changed to a degree where we shouldn't be confident that we've got enough players who are good enough."
But there are enough queries over the 2017 Tigers to sow the seeds of doubt over their finals credentials.
How will they cope without talismanic star Brett Deledio, who was traded to Greater Western Sydney?
Will seven-time leading goalkicker Riewoldt play closer to the big sticks after his lowest return (48 goals) since 2009?
Will Martin, out of contract at the end of the season, be distracted by speculation over his future?
Do the Tigers really have the depth of quality players to be a genuine finals contender?
Will Hardwick allow his players to play with more freedom after they were accused of being overly cautious with the ball last year?
Only time will answer most of those questions but on the last point, Hardwick has already shown his hand, declaring he will allow his charges to 'just play'.
Balme admits to a level of bemusement at the fascination about where Riewoldt lines up.
"Some people forget that the game has changed a bit. To say that Jack should just play deep ... he'd be on his own a fair bit I reckon," he said.
"It's very much a two-way game now but if we can get the ball to Jack as a forward then the more goals he kicks and the better off we'll be."
The Tigers will be desperate for a good start after they were slow out of the blocks in each of the past three seasons.
With Steve Morris the only long-term injury concern, Hardwick will at least have plenty of selection options as he enters a pivotal campaign.
http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/18848348/richmond-tigers-dustin-martin-look-rebound-year-forget
