The order of merit: Richmond Tigers 2021 season (theRoar)

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The order of merit: Richmond Tigers 2021 season

Doran Smith
theRoar.com.au
8 March 2020

Who are the Richmond Tigers players that should play to their optimal level in season 2021?

To be eligible for selection a player must have played at least five games in season 2020, so there can be a reference point as far as those players who apply their talent the best.

The Tiger’s only injury concerns in their best 22 are Ivan Soldo and Dion Prestia.

Here are the ten players (plus an honourable mention) who will stand out from the pack in season 2021:

Honourable mention: Josh Caddy
Caddy should be hungry to be in the Tigers best 22 every game if their first preseason game is anything to go by. He was the Tigers second-best player in the game against Collingwood and he worked hard, accumulating 27 disposals. There’s no doubt that he is capable of playing more than the eight games that he played in season 2020.

10. Shai Bolton
Bolton finished fourth in the Tigers’ best and fairest in season 2020 despite missing two games. He has so much natural ability that the way he plays his footy almost looks effortless.

9. Shane Edwards
Edwards only played ten games in season 2020. Expect him to focus on his durability and he has to be managed as he possesses immense talent. If the first preseason game is anything to go by then he should be able to perform to the level that the Tigers need him to.

8. Dylan Grimes
Grimes was selected in the AFL All-Australian squad of 40 in season 2020. That’s partly due to the fact that he played close to his potential every time he was fit and available to play for the Tigers.

7. Noah Balta
Balta should have a breakout season in 2021 if he can replicate the consistency he displayed in season 2020. He missed four games in season 2020, but still finished eighth in the Tigers’ best and fairest. He is a mobile tall defender that’s got good players around him, but doesn’t take it for granted as he always shows good endeavour.

6. Kane Lambert
Lambert should be one of the Tigers players that improves the most in terms of his output. He should get more minutes in the midfield in season 2021, which he should relish. He only finished ninth in the best and fairest in season 2020 but expect him to improve that in season 2021 if he is going to reach his optimum level.

5. Liam Baker
Baker was a revelation in season 2020 and he should be in the mix once again when it comes to the Tigers best and fairest. He finished sixth in the best and fairest despite only averaging the tenth-most disposals per game.

4. Dustin Martin
Martin averaged the most disposals, contested possessions and the third-most goals of any Tigers player in season 2020. He finished second in the Tigers’ best and fairest and was named in the forward pocket of the final 22 All-Australian team that was selected. It’s almost effortless with him as he doesn’t need to put much effort in to get the most out of himself as a footballer.

3. Kamdyn McIntosh
McIntosh featured in 18 of 21 games that the Tigers played in season 2020. His work rate can be substantiated by his top-five finish in the Tigers’ best and fairest despite missing three games. He always tries to get the most out of his ability.

2. Nick Vlastuin
Vlastuin was an important part of the Tigers team in season 2020, which can be vindicated by the impact it had on the Tigers’ structure when he was concussed in the first quarter of the final. They eventually managed to cope with it, though they didn’t only lose his impact on the structure, but the effort he puts in when attacking a contest.

He was deservedly a part of the AFL All-Australian squad of 40 in season 2020. He will be looking to continue from where he left off and play to his optimum level in season 2021 if the Tigers are to win another premiership.

1. Jayden Short
Short worked extremely hard in season 2020 to justify his selection as number one on the list. He was one of three players that featured in every game, including the four finals that the Tigers were involved in. He averaged 19.05 disposals per game, the third-highest of any Tigers player.

He won the best and fairest, defeating Dustin Martin who is universally regarded as a superstar. If the first game of the AFL preseason is a sign of things to come then Short will be an All-Australian; he collected a mammoth 43 disposals against Collingwood.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/03/07/the-order-of-merit-richmond-tigers-2021-season/