According to SEN.
RICHMOND’S BEST 22 FOR THE 2023 SEASONBy Andrew Slevison
SEN
13 FebruaryRichmond returned to finals in 2022, falling agonisingly short in an Elimination Final against Brisbane.
Ahead of the 2023 season, they addressed their issues in midfield and now have a much deeper side on paper and one equipped to push for September action again.
The Tigers are being tipped by many to be a genuine threat this year, but how will this improved team work?
DefendersRichmond’s defence is in fairly good order with multiple key options, some quality smalls and plenty of depth.
Veteran Robbie Tarrant and the emerging Noah Balta hold down the key positions with co-captain Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin assuming the third tall and intercept roles.
Nathan Broad provides flexibility in that he can play a floating, intercept role or take a tighter, one on one job.
Daniel Rioli is the club’s premier rebounder while the versatile Liam Baker, who can go forward or roll through the midfield, is a strong lockdown option when required.
Jayden Short spent plenty of time in the middle last year but could revert to his old half-back role now the on-ball brigade has been bolstered.
Josh Gibcus, who is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury, will also be a central defensive figure once he returns.
Hugo Ralphsmith, who appears the likely sub, can act as a rebounding small if needed. He can also play on the wing.
MidfieldersThe cavalry has arrived to make Richmond’s midfield unit much stronger than it was in 2022.
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper have bolstered the engine room, bring with them traits of class and hardness while providing a serious inside presence.
Dustin Martin and Taranto could perhaps wax as on-ballers who can also impact inside forward 50. Martin is primed to bounce back after struggling for various reasons in 2022.
Dion Prestia remains the club’s most important midfielder and now gets the help he needs and former skipper Trent Cotchin can play a more impactful role in fits and spurts as he enters his twilight stages.
Joint skipper Toby Nankervis is the clear number one ruckman. The burning question is if Damien Hardwick will opt to play a second tall to ease the burden.
Ben Miller was effective as a mobile second ruck late last season and Ivan Soldo is the other obvious choice.
Kamdyn McIntosh and Marlion Pickett have earned the right to be the starting wingers after solid 2022 seasons. Their two-way running and ability in the air make them both key players in the midfield unit.
Shai Bolton will go through the guts when he’s not terrorising defences, Baker can pinch-hit if the situation arises and Short showed he is capable in the middle last year
It is a toss up between Jack Graham and Tyler Sonsie for the final spot on the bench with the latter narrowly nabbing that slot mainly due to his upside.
Graham could be considered stiff to miss, along with Jack Ross, but somebody has to make way for Taranto and Hopper.
ForwardsThe attack will again be led by Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt.
The pair kicked 103 goals between them last year and when on song together are very hard to stop. Lynch was a colossus in 2022.
Shai Bolton possesses the attributes to create havoc at their feet but is also a major threat in the air. He can at times make the ridiculous look simple.
After booting 40 goals in 2022, he could hold the key to the Tigers’ hopes in 2023.
Noah Cumberland was a revelation last year, returning 19 goals in nine games - including a bag of five - and has to be considered as a starter.
Maurice Rioli should be given the chance to play the out and out crumbing role. His defensive efforts as a small forward were unparalleled league-wide in 2022.
Martin is expected to again spend plenty of time forward and can be a weapon when left isolated. He will be a central figure of the midfield-forward rotation.
Cotchin could also spend time forward, much to the chagrin of Kane Cornes.
QuestionsThere are some selection headaches for Hardwick.
What happens in defence when Gibcus is fit? Can you play him, Tarrant, Balta, Grimes and Vlastuin together?
Does someone provide relief for Nankervis? Is it Miller or Soldo? Or is it a one-ruck team with help from talls in defence and attack?
Which midfielder(s) do they go with now the Giants pair have arrived? Sonsie? Graham? Ross? Thomson Dow?
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/02/12/richmonds-best-22-for-the-2023-season/
