Do Richmond have depth issues? Leppitsch outlines their "great challenge" (SEN)

[one-eyed]

DO THE TIGERS HAVE A DEPTH ISSUE? LEPPITSCH OUTLINES THEIR "GREAT CHALLENGE"

By Laurence Rosen
SEN
27 April 2021

Former Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch says the club’s lack of senior depth could pose problems as the season unfolds.

Last year’s premiers are currently at three wins from six games to start the season, after losing three of their last four games.

As a result of their success-laden stint in recent years, fringe players such as such as Oleg Markov, Dan Butler, Brandon Ellis and Jack Higgins have departed in search of more minutes at AFL level.

Leppitsch has observed that the club was struggling to replace injured players like Dion Prestia (calf), Nick Vlastuin (knee) and Dylan Grimes (ankle), saying Damien Hardwick had the challenge of filling holes without the depth players they’re accustomed to.

“One thing you know about Richmond, you know they’re really well drilled and coached but you need to have a lot of things going your way for a long period of time,” he said on SEN's Whateley.

“The one big thing that probably hasn’t been mentioned is now that Richmond has their mass injury issue – a bit like Collingwood, it only needs to happen to 4-5 really good players and you have real issues.

“Instead of looking now to Dan Butler, Jack Higgins, Brandon Ellis or Oleg Markov, it’s now (Rhyan) Mansell, (Jack) Ross, (Patrick) Naish, Will Martyn who we saw a few weeks ago who looked a bit shocked (with the pace) of the game itself.

“Josh Caddy is still there and he’s probably the one experienced player playing in the (reserves) who can come in and give you a little bit.

“That’s going to be Richmond’s challenge moving forward, the depth they’ve had has slowly been eroded by the poaching from (opposition clubs).”

Richmond is ranked last in the competition for free kick differential, while the Western Bulldogs, who they play in Round 7, have the highest of any club.

It’s a stat that worried Leppitsch, who implored the club to tighten up and not easily cough up possession to the Dogs.

“The one problem for the Tigers at the moment, they’re 18th in the AFL for free kicks against.

“They’re minus 44 already (differential) and they were minus 62 last year, so they’re going to smash that record by a mile and they’re playing a team who gets the most free kicks so it’s that part of the game.

“Most of them are too high or are for sloppy tackles, so if they want to beat the Dogs then they can’t keep handing them the ball back in the contest.

“That part of the game they’ll have to tidy up really well if they want to compete (on Friday night).”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/04/27/do-the-tigers-have-a-depth-issue-leppitsch-outlines-their-great-challenge/

[Damo]

Leppa must be earning some decent media coin this year
Not a week passes without his input on all things Richmond

[Knighter]

Needs to earn a living so fair enough, We tapped him on the shoulder so he owes us nothing

[Andyy]

Yes we have depth issues.

In literally every category except maybe ruck and half back smalls.

[pmac21]

The most annoying thing about this article is the bit about the dogs who have had the most free kicks whilst we've had the least and it intimates this will continue naturally!!

I was under the impression that free kicks occurred organically during play based on actions/reaction of the umpires and not just a given that the dogs will get more free kicks than we will

Proud groups stand up in these matches. 
I'm tipping a bounce back

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Doggies are not exactly flushes with talent in their backline.

[Andyy]

Doggies are not exactly flushes with talent in their backline.

No but their midfield is top shelf, forward quite good between Naughton + Bruce + JUH to come. Two decent rucks.

A KPD would make them quite a complete side imo.

[Loui Tufga]

We should have listened to Claw years 

[Diocletian]

Should've kept McBean...

[MintOnLamb]

Richmond have issues with Leppa writing these sort of articles

[WilliamPowell]

Richmond have issues with Leppa writing these sort of articles

Sorry Mint, is that a question or a statement?

He is getting paid to give opinions now, unfortunately and he knows richmond better than any other commentator out there so SEN is using it their advantage

[Tigeritis™©®]

Needs to earn a living so fair enough, We tapped him on the shoulder so he owes us nothing

That’s not what the club said did they?

I thought the club said he left to step away from the cut and thrust of AFL footy for a bit.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/818872/leppitsch-to-depart-at-seasons-end

[MintOnLamb]

Richmond have issues with Leppa writing these sort of articles

Sorry Mint, is that a question or a statement?

He is getting paid to give opinions now, unfortunately and he knows richmond better than any other commentator out there so SEN is using it their advantage

WP Clarify a statement
I have issues...🐯 it just feels to me that he is using his inner knowledge of Richmond for these articles.. rightly or wrongly

[Tiger Khosh]

Needs to earn a living so fair enough, We tapped him on the shoulder so he owes us nothing

That’s not what the club said did they?

I thought the club said he left to step away from the cut and thrust of AFL footy for a bit.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/818872/leppitsch-to-depart-at-seasons-end

I have since suspected that he got let go as a result of the cut in the footy department cap. hence why he and fly were never replaced and instead their positions got filled by people already within the club who are now performing multiple roles. Just a thought though. As you’ve said the clubs official stance was that lepa decided to step away.

[WilliamPowell]

I have since suspected that he got let go as a result of the cut in the footy department cap. hence why he and fly were never replaced and instead their positions got filled by people already within the club who are now performing multiple roles. Just a thought though. As you’ve said the clubs official stance was that lepa decided to step away.

Club had to make cuts in the footy dept due the soft cap reduction hit so TK what you're suggesting makes sense

Throw in both were coming out of contract and as you say their positions were filled by others makes even more sense. In Leppa's case maybe he put his hand up and said "I'll go so someone else doesn't have to lose their job"