Danger signs: What your club should look out for?afl.com.au
17 May 2017THERE are plenty of things that can wreck a club's season. Danger signs that, if they are not heeded, can put finals completely out of the question.
Our writers take a close look at the problems for each club that are keeping coaches and players awake at night - the on-field and off-field issues that need a quick fix ... or a long-term solution.
RICHMONDThere have been warning signs for the Tigers stretching back to their 13-point win against Melbourne in round five. That was their last win, but they won just one quarter and have now won only four of their past 16.
So what has changed?
There has been a definite drop off in their rapid ball movement, falling from eighth in mark/play-on percentage in the first four rounds to 17th across rounds five to eight.
That, and the lack of multiple tall targets in attack, has seen them struggle to get quality inside 50s. In the last four rounds they rank 18th for inside 50 kick retention (44 per cent) and 18th for scores per inside 50 (40 per cent).
The loss of Ben Griffiths (concussion) is hurting, with the lack of an in-form replacement leaving too much on the shoulders of Jack Riewoldt and the smaller forwards.
In the midfield, the Tigers have been comprehensively beaten in the contest, ranking 16th for contested possession differential (-10.
in the past month.
With injuries to Reece Conca (foot) and Nick Vlastuin (shoulder), among others, depth is also being tested at Tigerland and turnovers are becoming more common.
Perhaps the biggest warning sign, as losses mount, is the fact that free agent Dustin Martin has not re-signed.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-17/danger-signs-what-your-club-should-look-out-for
