Richmond will next make the finals in 2011: Caro

[one-eyed]

Healy asked Caro when Richmond will next make the finals and Caro replied 2011. I think she's hoping with 17 teams there'll be more finals spots.

[mightytiges]

A year too early at the very least IMO. It's going to take the new coach a couple of years to get the list structure and his new gameplan set plus the likes of talls Vickery and Post will only have 2 years under their belt.

[WilliamPowell]

Based on history, that is RFC players making a massive effort when a new coach is appointed 

Don't be shocked if we actually make the 8 or just miss out in 2010. 

2011 is the biggest test for this new coach not 2010. No doubt in my mind results wise will finish higher than we will this year

[mightytiges]

History would say just miss the finals in a new coach's first full year 

Wallace - 10th
Frawley - 9th
Gieschen - 9th
Walls - 9th

 

If Hardwick is the right man for the job he will clear the decks via trades/delistings/retirements and then invest in youth at the draft table and during games next year. It'll be just another band-aid treatment if he thinks massaging the current list is good enough to scrape into finals. We want a coach who will build a premiership side.

[WilliamPowell]

If Hardwick is the right man for the job he will clear the decks via trades/delistings/retirements and then invest in youth at the draft table and during games next year. It'll be just another band-aid treatment if he thinks massaging the current list is good enough to scrape into finals. We want a coach who will build a premiership side.

I am not saying that he wont do all those things eg investing in youth etc you've highlighted MT....

But I still think there will be a massive improvement in our results next year and I wouldn't be surprised if we play finals

Will say it again it aint 2010 but 2011 that will Hardwick's biggest test

[mightytiges]

I agree WP 2011 will be a bigger test for Hardwick than next year but if he takes a broom to our list (especially clearing out the 24+ year olds), I don't see us results wise improving immediately even though it'll be the right way to go. We will have the youngest list in the comp. My expectations are bottom 3 for 2010, maybe 9 wins (11-12th) in 2011 and then pushing for finals in 2012 when the list begins for mature. I mainly hope to see us building towards a better gamestyle of footy. Of course with the RFC you should always expect the unexpected so I could be wrong  .

[Hellenic Tiger]

And if he does not make the finals in 2011 Caro, 2012 could be another media circus following the coach.

Personally though I think 2011 is improbable for finals but not unrealistic.

[Stripes]

I always thought 2011 would be the start of our finals stint given the age of list by that stage. I still think this is when we will begin to be consistently competitive but we will still need more of our 'developing' players such as Edwards, Rance, Graham, Vickery, Post, Collins, Hislop, Thomson, etc to step up if this is to become a reality otherwise perhaps 2012+ is more realistic.

I still have hope that next year we may break our finals drought but we need to do it on the back of youth otherwise it will mean nothing.

Stripes

[mightytiges]

And if he does not make the finals in 2011 Caro, 2012 could be another media circus following the coach.

You would hope the Club has learnt from this year  .

[3rogerd]

caro on the billy again.

[Go Richo 12]

It seems that most people think caro is optimistic about finals in 2011! Does this mean we won't hear people calling for Hardwicks head if we dont make the finals by 2011!

[Rodgerramjet]

Several things here, firstly I think that we can play finals next year and I think we will. I don't believe that the cull that alot of people are suggesting is actually going to happen. Yes I think some players will be axed but i don't think it's going to be as deep as has been alluded to. Players will be axed in the 1st 2nd and 3rd years with the majority in the second year I believe not the 1st.

2011 will be a defining time for Hardwick. List management at the end of 2010 is going to be crucial even more so than this year. We will get rid of the obvious this year, but the serious cull will be in 12 months time and will probably involve players we don't think should be culled.

[WilliamPowell]

2011 will be a defining time for Hardwick. List management at the end of 2010 is going to be crucial even more so than this year. We will get rid of the obvious this year, but the serious cull will be in 12 months time and will probably involve players we don't think should be culled.

Excellent point RodgerR.

2011 is the key

[wayne]

2011 is realistic.

Essendon are in the 8 and only have 4 more wins than us.

A new gameplan and coach will make quite a difference.

[bojangles17]

long range forecasts are BS, no more or less...How many examples do you want me to provide for the 2009 season that would have been predicted 12 mths ago

saints top of the ladder
Hawthorn to miss the 8
ESS to make the 8
Collingwood to be a genuine flag hope
Lions to press for top 4
tigers to make the 8

that's six just for a start that no-one got right