Each club's state of affairs before the AFL restartDoran Smith
theRoar.com.au
10 June 2020Here’s how Richmond is shaping up ahead of the AFL restart.
Richmond TigersThe five most talented playersHonourable mention: Jack Riewoldt would have been in the top five, but he is past his best. Despite that, he still has plenty of ability as he showed in Round 1 kicking three goals from just six disposals.
5. Trent Cotchin doesn’t have to get a lot of the ball to display the ability that he has. Cotchin plays the game as if it’s in slow motion as he reads the game extremely well.
4. Shane Edwards is an extremely good player and often plays to the highest level that he is capable of.
3. Tom J. Lynch is immensely talented. It’s what Lynch does with that talent is the question, based on his Round 1 performance in season 2020 where he was held goalless.
2. Dion Prestia won the 2019 Richmond best and fairest, which is a clear indication of how much ability he has.
1. Dustin Martin is a naturally talented player. Martin is arguably one of the best players in the competition when he plays to an optimal level.
Most adaptable playerRichmond are spoilt for choice in this department. Shane Edwards and Dustin Martin are both capable of playing multiple roles. Then there is Nick Vlastuin, who has the capability of playing in the midfield despite the fact that he seems to have found his niche as a key defender.
Bachar Houli can play in defence or on the wing. Josh Caddy and Kane Lambert are also utilities. There has been talk of Marlion Pickett playing as a second ruckman.
Having said all of that Dustin Martin is the most adaptable player for Richmond as Martin plays up forward and in the midfield.
Who needs to lift?Kane Lambert is capable of being renowned as Richmond’s most effective player as the older players retire. Lambert should be aiming to finish in the top five of the best and fairest in season 2020 with the most talented players on the list not getting the midfield minutes that he will get.
What has to alter?Based on the Round 1 display of season 2020 quite a bit has to change, but looking at Richmond’s grand final obliteration of Greater Western Sydney Giants, not a lot has to be altered. Looking at the here and now they could have lost against Carlton in Round 1 despite the fact they were in full control of the game as they were outplayed in the second half.
It wasn’t due to Richmond taking the foot off the pedal, they were simply not good enough. They did end up winning the game by four goals.
What has to change is Ivan Soldo should get a chance to play centre half-forward, with Toby Nankervis being the number one ruckman and Tom J. Lynch playing as the second ruckman. Therefore, Lynch’s sole role wouldn’t be to kick goals and he would kick more goals, with less pressure on him.
It’s a no-brainer to play Lynch as a second ruckman as he is 200 cm tall. Soldo should play as a permanent forward as he is extremely athletic.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/06/10/each-clubs-state-of-affairs-before-the-afl-restart-part-5/
