SuperCoach Scout: Richmond (Foxsports)

[one-eyed]

SuperCoach Scout: Richmond

PAIGE CARDONA
FOX SPORTS
8 Feb 2020

Just how do you contain let alone beat Richmond? It’s football’s equivalent to cracking the Da Vinci Code. In fact, we’d argue that if Collingwood hadn't beaten the Tigers in the 2018 Preliminary Final, the Tiges could well and truly be sitting on a modern-day three-peat and looking for a quartet of flags in 2020 (no offence West Coast fans).

Things seemed headed in only one direction last season after they snapped up the biggest free agent available at the end of 2018 – gun forward Tom Lynch – but as Alex Rance’s knee collapsed underneath him in Round 1, the shockwaves were felt as a serious dent was made in Richmond’s armour. But, as it turned out, the Tigers didn’t need him. The machine just got better as the year went and if we had known what type of weaponry they had acquired via the mid-season mini draft in the form of Marlion Pickett … well … dammit Richmond, how do you keep getting better? Is this the new age Hawthorn?

The mere fact that SuperCoaches are blessed with Dustin Martin returning to flex status in 2020 is an absolute gift. He’ll be high on the wish list for just about every coach plonking down as a must-start forward. Bachar Houli had everybody fooled when he turned back the clock and had pumped out a 105.9 average from regular season games. But outside of that duo, just how SuperCoach relevant are Richmond?

The Tigers aren’t a possession heavy-side. Dion Prestia isn’t a must-start midfielder but is a solid choice in Draft. Rucks Ivan Soldo and Toby Nankervis don’t have the ceiling nor consistency to warrant choosing – if anything there’s guys like Kane Lambert and Josh Caddy who are good for an average of 85 with the capability to hit triple figures, but again – Richmond are more of a Draft side, not a Classic side.

One things for sure, there’s no slowing down this machine who’ll hopefully welcome back barometre player Jack Higgins to the fold in 2020.

THE PREMO: DUSTIN MARTIN | $543,000 | MID / FWD | 100.0

There’s not a lot to be said that hasn’t already been said. Dusty is back in 2020 with MID / FWD status and us SuperCoach folk are rejoicing. The SuperCoach colossus will be one of the most-backed selections to begin the season with, and why wouldn’t you pick him? The now dual Norm Smith Medalist impacts games better than any other in the competition. If he’s not eating up one-on-one contests deep in Richmond’s forward half, he’s dishing out don’t-argues through the guts, stepping between would-be tacklers and guzzling up contested possessions quicker than he bursts away from a stoppages. You know what he’s capable of, pick him and throw away the key.

THE BREAKOUT CONTENDER: LIAM BAKER | $403,900 | DEF / FWD | 74.4

Say it with me ‘scoreboard impact’. That summarises Liam Baker to a tee. If he’s not kicking them, he’s a vital avenue to goal with his direct assists or ability to get involved in chains of play that lead to goals. Baker only burst onto the scene last year but he looked like a seasoned player with his ability to play at either end of the ground. His speed and explosiveness suited SuperCoach, amping up for metres gained, rebound 50s and inside 50s. While Baker’s scoring was a little haphazard, he went 80+ points in the 16 games he suited up for. While selecting a second-year player in SuperCoach can be fraught with danger, he could make huge inroads and better his average by 10-15 points in 2020.

BOOM OR BUST: JACK HIGGINS | $358,800 | FWD | 66.1

Through no fault of his own, a brain bleed acquired from a head clash wiped out Jack Higgins’ season that resulted in two rounds of brain surgery in July and September – if anybody is going to make their return to top flight football after such a bumpy road, it’s Higgins. The hard nosed forward-come-midfielder is undoubtedly in the best 22 at Richmond and was one of the stories of 2018 season, averaging 16.2 disposals, 5.6 score involvements and kicked 24 goals from 20 games. The 20-year-old has resumed full training after the break, so it’s a wait and see how he’s placed for Round 1 but a real smokey selection in Classic and a must-grab in Draft.

THE ROOKIE: MARLION PICKETT | $123,900 | MID | DNP

Debuted on Grand Final day and almost won the Norm Smith Medal – if that’s not likeable then nothing is. Marlion Pickett undoubtedly sits in Richmond’s best 22 and after notching 96 points on Grand Final day, he’ll be a certain starter for every SuperCoach team in 2020. The crafty ball user finds enough of it but he also has deft touch with the pill. He’s got a bag of tricks too (see spin move) and possess the poise to play at the top level, nevermind in the midfield of the best team in the competition.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/theyre-a-powerhouse-on-the-field-but-that-doesnt-translate-to-supercoach-for-richmond/news-story/2f150c38c52c05b05231ebdcef49f576