One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on October 12, 2025, 09:06:33 PM
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No movement on the trade-front, but how far can these talented Tiger cubs go in season 2026?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G3BitiXWoAAB7rs?format=jpg&name=large)
https://x.com/traderadio/status/1977188773990371684
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Broad, Nank, Prestia and Lynch all to move on in the next 2 years you'd think.
Need to upgrade Ralph, Short/move on, maybe Banks too.
So yeah...another 6-8 players and we may be sorted.
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Yeah we have this draft to look at cutting into 1/4 of that.
Reality is you can't build a lost with top end talent. You need a mix. We need to start also hitting wins in Rookie draft and will also hit free agency soon. I expect for probably a gun ruck as picking one up in draft is really 6 years away from a break out year and by then Lalor and CO will be FA available and we can't afford to wait that long to be back in top 8. As wed struggle to keep a hold of all that draft crop coming to FA at once. If we are playing finals it'll be easy to sign them.
So 8 players Andy, agree. 2 of them come this year in pick 2 and 3. Next year's first is probably a top 6 pick minimum. So 3. Get 2-3 rookies to add and then 2 FA big names or trade ins on big contracts. We are cooking.
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We have about three drafts to cut into around 20 players thats how many need to go or be improved upon.
Also have to factor in a percentage of misses with good picks.
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No movement on the trade-front, but how far can these talented Tiger cubs go in season 2026?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G3BitiXWoAAB7rs?format=jpg&name=large)
https://x.com/traderadio/status/1977188773990371684
I would not have ralphsmith or short.
Ideally prestia wouldn't play every game
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Kmac2 should be in and also Sims 100% should be in. With 5 on the bench, 0 reason not to have a legit 2nd ruck every game.
Then I’d be looking at Alger, juddy Clarke, Fawcett, Gray, Smith and our 3 national draft picks this class to be given opportunities too.
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Vlastuin - Miller - Gibcus/Trainor
Banks/Smith - Balta - Clarke/Brown Definately looking to improve the running backs and i think 3 tall defenders will be it the way the game is.
Campbell - McAuliffe - Brown/Clarke. we just have to find other options our wings have been ordinary for too long and our mids too slow.
Algar - Faull - Hotton. Most definately the future and we must pump games into them
Mansell - Lynch - Armstrong/Sims. Not sure Nigel is a long term keeper but he is best 22 be nice if we can ease Lynchy out of team
Nankervis - Lalor - Prestia. Combined with the mids our best and it addresses genuine pace issues
Hopper - Taranto - Smillie - Trainor - ND#3 - Broad - ND#4 - Lefau. Lots of midfield rotations adding Hotton and Algar into rotations.
Hopefully we are looking past guys like Ross, Short, HRS - Rioli - Dow - Sonsie If things are going well injury and improvement hope they are phasing out Prestia Broad and Lynch and all those who have had a fair crack at it like most of the above who have severe limitations..
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I really lost hope in ralphsmith this year. Complete defensive liability. Looks flashing running fwd kicking goals etc but offers nothing the other way and we already have 2 guys like that in banks and short
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Every AFL club’s best 23 for 2026
Jack Jovanovski, Will Faulkner, Ben Cotton and Dylan Bolch
Fox Sports
October 18th, 2025
RICHMOND
B: N.Broad, B.Miller, N.Vlastuin
HB: S.Banks, J.Gibcus, J.Short
C: L.Trainor, D.Prestia, H.Ralphsmith
HF: S.Campbell, N.Balta, S.Lalor
F: R.Mansell, T.Lynch, J.Faull
FOLL: T.Nankervis (c), T.Taranto, J.Hopper
I/C: J.Ross, T.Hotton, T.Brown, S.Green, H.Armstrong
EMG: T.Sims, J.Smillie, T.Dow
Key ins: Nil
Key outs: Tylar Young, Kamdyn McIntosh
WE SAY: Richmond will be banking on a healthy Josh Gibcus, with the club still holding out hope the former first-round pick can be a long-term key defensive answer. Sam Lalor slots back onto half-forward after another hamstring ended his debut season, while the Tigers will plan for a Josh Smillie second-year leap after a redshirt rookie year. Noah Balta could start the year forward again in a combination with Tom Lynch and emerging tall Jonty Faull, with fellow second-year keys Tom Sims and Harry Armstrong chomping at the bit for senior spots. Versatile youngster Luke Trainor could fill the wing void left by Kamdyn McIntosh, while a healthy Hugo Ralphsmith returns to the opposite wing. Jack Ross keeps Thomson Dow out of the side. Also hold picks 3 and 4.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trades-2025-every-clubs-best-23-for-2026-after-the-trade-period-and-free-agency-lineups-teams-recruits-opinion-analysis-latest-news/news-story/4543c1c7c07ce59b6d2503859f9b18b6
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Every club’s best 23 for 2026 after the AFL Trade Period
Matthew Forrest, Josh Barnes, Callum idiot, Lachlan McKirdy, Simeon Thomas-Wilson and Eliza Reilly
HeraldSun
October 18, 2025
RICHMOND
B: N.Vlastuin, B.Miller, N.Broad
HB: J.Short, N.Balta, T.Brown
C: J.Trezise, D.Prestia, S.Banks
HF: J.Ross, J.Faull, S.Lalor
F: S.Green, T.Lynch, T.Hotton
FOLL: T.Nankervis, T.Taranto, J.Hopper
I/C: L.Trainor, J.Smillie, J.Clarke, S.Campbell, H.Armstrong
Depth: R.Mansell, M.Rioli, T.Sonsie, T.Dow, T.Sims, J.Gibcus
Ins: Patrick Retschko (Geelong)
Outs: Tylar Young (West Coast), Jacob Bauer (delisted), Jacob Blight (delisted), Mate Colina (delisted), Jacob Koschitzke (delisted), Kamdyn McIntosh (delisted)
2025 draft picks: 3, 4, 38
The Tigers backed in their youth rather than targeting free agents this off-season, but landed Patrick Retschko from Geelong for a late pick. Top-10 draftee Josh Smillie is the only of last year’s monster draft haul to not debut last season, but a full summer would have him ready to go. The young core is here, and will be complemented in November with two elite talents with the No.3 and No.4 draft picks.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/every-clubs-best-23-for-2026-after-the-afl-trade-period/news-story/b7f7e0687baa0d0ba57f720152e5f809
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Interesting teams (I'm working on mine ;D)
But I cannot see how anyone could have Juddy Clarke in our best 23 or Campbell only on the I/C :huh (Herald Sun one)
Then the Fox Sports have Tom Brown on the bench :help
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Interesting teams (I'm working on mine ;D)
But I cannot see how anyone could have Juddy Clarke in our best 23 or Campbell only on the I/C :huh (Herald Sun one)
Then the Fox Sports have Tom Brown on the bench :help
It’s ridiculous
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I really lost hope in ralphsmith this year. Complete defensive liability. Looks flashing running fwd kicking goals etc but offers nothing the other way and we already have 2 guys like that in banks and short
I agree can only play one of them at a time imo and atm thats probably Banks.
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Clarke is probably finished, let's be honest.
The odds of him having any sort of successful career after 3 ACLs is virtually zero.
Shouldn't have extended him so early in hindsight.
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Clarke is probably finished, let's be honest.
The odds of him having any sort of successful career after 3 ACLs is virtually zero.
Shouldn't have extended him so early in hindsight.
3 or 2? Did he do 1 in junior years?
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Clarke is probably finished, let's be honest.
The odds of him having any sort of successful career after 3 ACLs is virtually zero.
Shouldn't have extended him so early in hindsight.
3 or 2? Did he do 1 in junior years?
Yep
3
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KPF Starting - Lynch, Faull, Armstrong. these three are in front and we need to get games into two young talls every week.
KPF Depth - Lefau, Sims, Fawcett.
Starting General fwds and fwd/mids - Campbell, Hotton, Mansell. Adamant Campbell needs to go to a wing. Alger to join Hotton and Mansell..
Depth general fwds and fwd/mids - Algar, Green, Rioli.
KPD Starting - Miller, Balta, Gibcus
KPD Depth - Gray, Trainor, Fawcett? think fawcett or one of the other tall forwards can be tried here.
Starting general defenders - Vlastuin, Broad, Brown, Imo only Vlastuin is a lock. Broad will play from bench allows one of the runners to start.
Depth General defenders - Banks, Trezise, Smith,Short.
Rucks Starting - Nankervis or Ryan. Sheesh we are in pain if Nankervis goes down.
Rucks depth - OH-B, Sims fwd/ruck
Wings starting - Retchsko, HRS, Now people know why im so bullish on us trying blokes like Campbell and Brown here and Clarke if fit..
Wings Depth - Clarke.
Mids starting - Lalor, Taranto, Smillie, Hotton, McAuliffe, Hopper, Prestia. Seven is about the number of genuine mids and mid/fwds you need.
Mids depth - Ross, Dow, Sonsie. The last 4 mentioned could all be gone in no time flat exposing the lack of numbers we have
Vlastuin - Miller - Gibcus
Banks - Balta - Brown
Retschko - McAuliffe - Campbell
Nankervis - Taranto - Lalor
Hotton - Faull - Algar
Mansell - Lynch - Armstrong
Hopper - Broad - Smillie -ND#3 - Prestia.
Yes it a young side but thats where our talent is and we need to get games into that talent.
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KPF Starting - Lynch, Faull, Armstrong. these three are in front and we need to get games into two young talls every week.
KPF Depth - Lefau, Sims, Fawcett.
Starting General fwds and fwd/mids - Campbell, Hotton, Mansell. Adamant Campbell needs to go to a wing. Alger to join Hotton and Mansell..
Depth general fwds and fwd/mids - Algar, Green, Rioli.
KPD Starting - Miller, Balta, Gibcus
KPD Depth - Gray, Trainor, Fawcett? think fawcett or one of the other tall forwards can be tried here.
Starting general defenders - Vlastuin, Broad, Brown, Imo only Vlastuin is a lock. Broad will play from bench allows one of the runners to start.
Depth General defenders - Banks, Trezise, Smith,Short.
Rucks Starting - Nankervis or Ryan. Sheesh we are in pain if Nankervis goes down.
Rucks depth - OH-B, Sims fwd/ruck
Wings starting - Retchsko, HRS, Now people know why im so bullish on us trying blokes like Campbell and Brown here and Clarke if fit..
Wings Depth - Clarke.
Mids starting - Lalor, Taranto, Smillie, Hotton, McAuliffe, Hopper, Prestia. Seven is about the number of genuine mids and mid/fwds you need.
Mids depth - Ross, Dow, Sonsie. The last 4 mentioned could all be gone in no time flat exposing the lack of numbers we have
Vlastuin - Miller - Gibcus
Banks - Balta - Brown
Retschko - McAuliffe - Campbell
Nankervis - Taranto - Lalor
Hotton - Faull - Algar
Mansell - Lynch - Armstrong
Hopper - Broad - Smillie -ND#3 - Prestia.
Yes it a young side but thats where our talent is and we need to get games into that talent.
.Trainor
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Trainor doesn't make Claws cutoff
Makes the entire post laughable
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Trainor doesn't make Claws cutoff
Makes the entire post laughable
And the seemingly useless Ben Miller who should have been delisted in 2023 plays as our key back
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Trainor doesn't make Claws cutoff
Makes the entire post laughable
Gibcus showed way more in his first season and is now a much more mature body. He also injuries aside is a far more highly rated defender. What is laughable is people cannot look past injuries. Yep some do indeed make laughable comments.
Reckon we cannot play 4 talls at around 195cm in the back half and Trainor misses atm. Doesnt mean he won't get games.
I suppose the numpties want to see him played on a wing still.
Three tall defenders in the magoos Kpd Gray, Trainor and a vfl listed player atm.Oh thats right the babys are being developed in the magoos god forbid.
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Trainer will be starting 22
And yeah I'm one who can't see past the gibcus injuries. Mature body this and that. Honestly he's played about an hour of AFL in the last 18+ months. Putting him in the team ahead of Trainor, who has been durable, is laughable.
If gibcus stays fit he may be in contention but that's an if and if it's between him and Trainor he'll need to push Trainor out on merit.
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Trainor wants to play backline
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Gibcus got thrown forward a couple of times in his first year and looked comfortable.
I’m pretty sure we can fit them all in - if fit and well.
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So now Gibcus plays forward in front of One of Faull Armstrong and Sims sheesh people are all over the shop.
Fact is Gibcus pedigree is far better than Trainors and only a fool would write him off because of injuries.
Another obvious fact is there is no room for all of the talls we have someone is going to miss. Thats a good thing they all have to earn it.
Does anyone think the best set up is not Lynch, Faull Armstrong forward. It means Lefau Sims and Fawcett miss out and have to force their way in.
Same in defence My Preference for the three tall spots is Balta, Miller and Gibcus it means atm Trainor and Gray have to force the issue.
Its a great spot to be in.
They may try and continue to play Trainor on a wing which is not the way to go or he may replace Broad unlikely we will forgo that experience.
Fact is some will miss and some won't.
You won't hear me complain if Trainor plays in front of Gibcus im adamant though Gibcus is a better player.
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Gibcus got thrown forward a couple of times in his first year and looked comfortable.
I’m pretty sure we can fit them all in - if fit and well.
If Gibbo can stay on the park, I’m leaving him plonked in his best position at FB/CHB and not moving him around the ground to accommodate anyone else.
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Early verdict: Gun draftees most likely to debut at every AFL club in Round 1 2026
Ben Waterworth, Dylan Bolch and Jack Jovanovski
Fox Sports
November 22, 2025
RICHMOND
The Tigers targeted midfielders with their two top-10 selections, investing in a pair of Sam’s: North Adelaide’s Sam Cumming and Oakleigh Chargers’ Sam Grlj. Both are good Round 1 chances. Despite his 2025 season being cut short by a shoulder injury, Cumming is a great chance. One talent-watcher this year labelled him “the prototype AFL midfielder”. Highly regarded for his class, power, speed, agility and competitiveness — both in the air and at ground level — Cumming has a terrific all-round profile and made a splash for North Adelaide’s league team in his limited opportunities. But also, don’t rule out Grlj, who looked at home in the defensive half during his two matches for Richmond’s VFL side in early August with hauls of 18 and 15 disposals and already has AFL-level running capacity. It’s expected Grlj will begin AFL career in defence, with scope to push into the midfield as he develops. The Tigers’ last two picks, Zane Peucker and Noah Roberts-Thomson, probably start at state league level, although keep tabs on Peucker over the pre-season as scouts this year loved his competitiveness — both in the air and at ground level.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2025-draftees-who-could-play-round-1-of-2026-season-predictions-analysis-latest-preseason-news/news-story/24b18f730ac8469da9ec9d8594f2b73c
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I reckon for the first month or two, the club will go hard trying to get some wins. Could see almost all of the experienced and older guys in the senior side.
With some fitness luck the vfl Richmond team could be enjoyable to watch.
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Three tall defenders is likely the go, but which three?
If Balta shows nothing preseason we could go with Miller, Gibcus and Trainor. If Balta is a lock then it is going to be Miller, Balta, and one of Trainor, Gibcus.
Do we slide Broad out of defense reckon both Trainor and Brown can play his role. Do we go with more pace and rebound by playing Grlj and one of Banks or Smith if he takes a leap. Trezise is a hb imo is there now a place for him or Short for that matter?
Pure mids do we play all of McAuliffe, Lalor, Smillie, Cumming, Hotton meaning Only two of Hopper Taranto Prestia Ross Sonsie get a game.
Do we play Algar and Peucker in front of Green, Rioli Mansell Because Hotton will spend time here in rotations.
Do we dump HRS and Trezise from the wings and look to find some decent wingers for me Campbell and Retschko.
Do we play three tall forwards if yes it must be at lest two of the younger forwards with Lynch guiding them. Do we Play Sims as the ruck fwd ? giving Nankervis a chop out instead of say Armstrong ?
We are in a good place questions are going to be asked.
For me it should now be full on kids with just enough experience to guide them.
Every position should be an open book with a priority on games into kids.
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Three tall defenders is likely the go, but which three?
If Balta shows nothing preseason we could go with Miller, Gibcus and Trainor. If Balta is a lock then it is going to be Miller, Balta, and one of Trainor, Gibcus.
Do we slide Broad out of defense reckon both Trainor and Brown can play his role. Do we go with more pace and rebound by playing Grlj and one of Banks or Smith if he takes a leap. Trezise is a hb imo is there now a place for him or Short for that matter?
Pure mids do we play all of McAuliffe, Lalor, Smillie, Cumming, Hotton meaning Only two of Hopper Taranto Prestia Ross Sonsie get a game.
Do we play Algar and Peucker in front of Green, Rioli Mansell Because Hotton will spend time here in rotations.
Do we dump HRS and Trezise from the wings and look to find some decent wingers for me Campbell and Retschko.
Do we play three tall forwards if yes it must be at lest two of the younger forwards with Lynch guiding them. Do we Play Sims as the ruck fwd ? giving Nankervis a chop out instead of say Armstrong ?
We are in a good place questions are going to be asked.
For me it should now be full on kids with just enough experience to guide them.
Every position should be an open book with a priority on games into kids.
D Prestia
T Lynch
N Broad
N Vlastuin
T Nankervis
J Short
J Hopper
T Taranto
B Miller
N Balta
R Mansell
J Ross
Reckon the powers that be will be wanting that group all playing for at least the first 4-6 ideally. Prob also find a spot for Mykelti Lefau.
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Well i hope your wrong.
With Miller, Balta, Vlastuin and potentially Broad in the back half or on the bench there is plenty of experience. Games into kids is the go. Who do you play Short in front of ? he has become superfluous to needs. Im all for playing Smith in front of that pea heart.
With the likes of Trainor and Brown you could say Broad is no longer needed as well but i agree his nous and experience will see him play no matter.
Mansell i think will be played with only Lynch being experienced in the forward half there is no one else and again the class of Hotton Algar as forwards they are going to be picked in front of others like Green and Rioli.
It would be a backwards step not playing two of Faull, Armstrong or Sims with Lynch. I think Lefau makes for a mature tall if Lynch is injured.
Based purely on talent and that need for speed and the real need to pump games into our kids neither Ross nor Sonsie would get a game and i think with Taranto and Hopper in the team that makes for enough leadership. Maybe Prestia but me i want us to pump games into the very talented kids that we have who address a serious weakness in run spread and pace. You are not suggesting i hope, that Ross or Sonsie play in front of Taranto or Hopper and they are definately behind the youngsters coming thru.
Are we going to play Ross Sonsie plus Prestia in front Lalor, Hotton, Cumming, Smillie and McAuliffe. that is the future and the priority has to be to get them to 80 odd games as quickly as possible. If injury or poor form hits then you have some reasonable cover with Ross Sonsie and the ageing Prestia.
Grlj straight off the bat can and should play hb he makes for a more than decent D Rioli replacement.
For me im really hoping we go similar to the following ive seen enough of some to know they are not the way forward.
FB: Vlastuin 32 - Miller 26 - Gibcus 22
HB: Grlj 18 - Balta 26 - Brown 23 or Banks 23
C: Campbell 21 - McAuliffe 21 - Retschko 20
R: Nankervis 31 - Taranto 28 - Lalor 19. Does anyone seriously want to see Ross play either of these roles in front of those 6.
HF: Hotton 19 - Faull 20 - Mansell 25
FF: Algar 19 - Lynch 32 - Armstrong 19/Sims 19. No Lefau simply because Faull and Armstrong show so much upside.They will be better for this years experience.
Int: Smillie 20 - Cumming 18 - Hopper 29 - Broad 32 - Banks 23.
Im in the other camp play as many kids as possible and when they tire or struggle for form then bring in some relief.
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FB: Vlastuin 32 - Balta 26 - Trainor 19
HB: Brown 23 - Gibcus 22 - Banks 23
C: Grlj 18 - McAuliffe 21 - Retschko 20
R: Nankervis 31 - Taranto 28 - Lalor 19
HF: Hotton 19 - Faull 20 - Mansell 25
FF: Campbell 20 - Lynch 32 - Armstrong 19
Int: Smillie 20 - Cumming 18 - Hopper 29 - Broad 32 - Rioli 22
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I would expect all of Miller, Prestia and Sims (5 on the bench means 2 rucks play I think) are all in the 23 come round 1.
Who comes out for those 3? Smillie easily is 1. Even if he is good to go to start the season, suspect he’ll need to get through 3-4 games in the VFL before debuting, not sure on the other 2 though. Good problem to have.
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Well i hope your wrong.
With Miller, Balta, Vlastuin and potentially Broad in the back half or on the bench there is plenty of experience. Games into kids is the go. Who do you play Short in front of ? he has become superfluous to needs. Im all for playing Smith in front of that pea heart.
With the likes of Trainor and Brown you could say Broad is no longer needed as well but i agree his nous and experience will see him play no matter.
Mansell i think will be played with only Lynch being experienced in the forward half there is no one else and again the class of Hotton Algar as forwards they are going to be picked in front of others like Green and Rioli.
It would be a backwards step not playing two of Faull, Armstrong or Sims with Lynch. I think Lefau makes for a mature tall if Lynch is injured.
Based purely on talent and that need for speed and the real need to pump games into our kids neither Ross nor Sonsie would get a game and i think with Taranto and Hopper in the team that makes for enough leadership. Maybe Prestia but me i want us to pump games into the very talented kids that we have who address a serious weakness in run spread and pace. You are not suggesting i hope, that Ross or Sonsie play in front of Taranto or Hopper and they are definately behind the youngsters coming thru.
Are we going to play Ross Sonsie plus Prestia in front Lalor, Hotton, Cumming, Smillie and McAuliffe. that is the future and the priority has to be to get them to 80 odd games as quickly as possible. If injury or poor form hits then you have some reasonable cover with Ross Sonsie and the ageing Prestia.
Grlj straight off the bat can and should play hb he makes for a more than decent D Rioli replacement.
For me im really hoping we go similar to the following ive seen enough of some to know they are not the way forward.
FB: Vlastuin 32 - Miller 26 - Gibcus 22
HB: Grlj 18 - Balta 26 - Brown 23 or Banks 23
C: Campbell 21 - McAuliffe 21 - Retschko 20
R: Nankervis 31 - Taranto 28 - Lalor 19. Does anyone seriously want to see Ross play either of these roles in front of those 6.
HF: Hotton 19 - Faull 20 - Mansell 25
FF: Algar 19 - Lynch 32 - Armstrong 19/Sims 19. No Lefau simply because Faull and Armstrong show so much upside.They will be better for this years experience.
Int: Smillie 20 - Cumming 18 - Hopper 29 - Broad 32 - Banks 23.
Im in the other camp play as many kids as possible and when they tire or struggle for form then bring in some relief.
Yes , as I said I think you are in for a shock if believe all of Smillie, McAuliffe, Gibcus. Armstrong. Cumming, Grlj etc.will be playing together from day 1.
My guess is the club will lean on the oldest guys outside of Ryan and Hayes Brown.
Even the next bracket;
Ralphsmith
Trezise
Rioli
Might be given more of a go initially than you expect.
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That said , I'd go -
Banks. Miller. Brown.
Balta. Vlastuin. Trainor.
Grlj. McAuliffe. Hotton.
Taranto. Lynch. Campbell.
Lalor. Faull. Armstrong.
Nankervis. Smillie. Cumming.
Algar. Sims. Gibcus. Rioli. Hopper.
Retscheko. Trezise. Mansell.
:shh
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My opinion is we are missing opportunity to cement a regular defensive back and properly develop Gibcus as a defensive staple.
Balta as a mobile Ruck option is really the only option for him. As a very mobile ruck he can always help the defenders anytime and provide much needed aerial support around the ground as we've been sadly lacking in that area.
As good as Nank has been I think he's way past it now and Balta is the perfect choice to provide relief and support and also be used as a backup either forward or back if ever required.
We need to look towards our future and establishing a solid back six now is crucial for development and future dominance.
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Looking at these best 23s makes you realise how much young talent we've brought in!
With them all growing together, it could be a sudden gelling and spike up the ladder scenario not too far down the track!
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My opinion is we are missing opportunity to cement a regular defensive back and properly develop Gibcus as a defensive staple.
Balta as a mobile Ruck option is really the only option for him. As a very mobile ruck he can always help the defenders anytime and provide much needed aerial support around the ground as we've been sadly lacking in that area.
As good as Nank has been I think he's way past it now and Balta is the perfect choice to provide relief and support and also be used as a backup either forward or back if ever required.
We need to look towards our future and establishing a solid back six now is crucial for development and future dominance.
If he can get his aerobic capacity up to near afl levels for a midfield then I agree. The new rules for ruck are gonna kill Nank.
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My opinion is we are missing opportunity to cement a regular defensive back and properly develop Gibcus as a defensive staple.
Balta as a mobile Ruck option is really the only option for him. As a very mobile ruck he can always help the defenders anytime and provide much needed aerial support around the ground as we've been sadly lacking in that area.
As good as Nank has been I think he's way past it now and Balta is the perfect choice to provide relief and support and also be used as a backup either forward or back if ever required.
We need to look towards our future and establishing a solid back six now is crucial for development and future dominance.
I agree - you want to get Gibcus and Trainor into the back 6 and ideally get as many games into them as possible.
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Backline could be any of Miller, Balta, Trainor, Brown, Gibcus. Broad almost finished. Gray is a depth option atm. We have choices there which is great.
Forward we have Lynch almost finished, Lefau hardly on the park since his promising initial games. Faull, Armstrong, Sims and Faucett. We have options there too, but young and raw. Still a good place to be.
For once in a long time I actually feel like we are running light at the bookends. It's great.
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We are defiantly light on a genuine mobile tap ruck, not a pinch hitter. The new rules will make Nank less effective and if he is injured being less likely to recover quickly how are we placed for the future.
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Maybe an unpopular opinion but I don’t have Balta in the 23 for round 1.
Apart from his comeback game, his form was bad last season and I’d rather get games into Trainor, Gibcus and Brown. Then you’ve got Miller who was our best key defender last season and Vlastuin and Broad as the vets and Banks as the rebounding half back. That’s the 7 defensive spots so no room for Balta and Short.
It’s a pretty 1 paced defense so the wingers will be very important in supporting Banks in providing run and drive out of the back half. I’ve got Grlj and Retschko as the wingers. Again might be unpopular but I’d rather give them a go from round 1 then stick to the tried and tested lacklustre combo of Ross and HRS.
You could maybe play Balta as the 2nd ruck but I’d rather be getting games into Sims as that 2nd ruck option.
Obviously this is all dependent on preseason aswell.
If I’m being realistic, I would not be 1 but surprised if majority of not all of balta, short, Ross and HRS are named for round 1 lol.
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Maybe an unpopular opinion but I don’t have Balta in the 23 for round 1.
Apart from his comeback game, his form was bad last season and I’d rather get games into Trainor, Gibcus and Brown. Then you’ve got Miller who was our best key defender last season and Vlastuin and Broad as the vets and Banks as the rebounding half back. That’s the 7 defensive spots so no room for Balta and Short.
It’s a pretty 1 paced defense so the wingers will be very important in supporting Banks in providing run and drive out of the back half. I’ve got Grlj and Retschko as the wingers. Again might be unpopular but I’d rather give them a go from round 1 then stick to the tried and tested lacklustre combo of Ross and HRS.
You could maybe play Balta as the 2nd ruck but I’d rather be getting games into Sims as that 2nd ruck option.
Obviously this is all dependent on preseason aswell.
If I’m being realistic, I would not be 1 but surprised if majority of not all of balta, short, Ross and HRS are named for round 1 lol.
What is the point playing broad. Who is retiring.
Ahead of balta who is 26 and potentially part of the next grand final side.
Balta is also a wing option ala temu richo.
Best case selecting broad over balta is an extra one? Two? Wins
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Do you not understand AJ that on field development of young players can only be fast tracked if older, more experienced players are there to guide them.
Brisbane brought Luke Hodge specifically to the Lions for that reason.
Having Nathan Broad on field for one more year is a gift to that back 6. He is continuing to play his role but as an elder statesman that role has shifted.
Brown, Banks, Gibcus are in safe hands and we should be grateful to Broad for knocking back a 3 year deal to Norf to stay for less money which he did last year.
When our back 6 is the launching pad for our premiership era in 4-5 years, I will remember selfless players like Nathan Broad who chose to stay and start to climb back up the ladder
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Do you not understand AJ that on field development of young players can only be fast tracked if older, more experienced players are there to guide them.
Brisbane brought Luke Hodge specifically to the Lions for that reason.
Having Nathan Broad on field for one more year is a gift to that back 6. He is continuing to play his role but as an elder statesman that role has shifted.
Brown, Banks, Gibcus are in safe hands and we should be grateful to Broad for knocking back a 3 year deal to Norf to stay for less money which he did last year.
When our back 6 is the launching pad for our premiership era in 4-5 years, I will remember selfless players like Nathan Broad who chose to stay and start to climb back up the ladder
Who guided Rance Asbury houli broad Vlastuin? Chaplin? Lol
It's cliche feel good untruths.
Vlastuin is more than enough. What's going to happen is Vlastuin. Broad. Short will be in the back 6 damaging the development of the club long term. And you'll be there sprouting zomg this is good! Luke hodge!!
Ideally Vlastuin and broad should be phased out of the back 6 either not playing if moving to wing/tagger/mid/ruck/fwd etc. to allow a back 6 develop together.
Most importantly Trainor and gibcus and then balta and miller.
You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
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I think your response pretty much sums up the thought put into your posting.
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You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Not in the same class
Vlastuin is my favourite player and a Richmond champion, but Hodge was a freak. One of the best to ever play the game.
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I think your response pretty much sums up the thought put into your posting.
Richmond won 3 flags iirc.
Who was this mysterious leadership guru that taught the defenders?
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You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Not in the same class
Vlastuin is my favourite player and a Richmond champion, but Hodge was a freak. One of the best to ever play the game.
That is a different conversation.
The question is why do you need Vlastuin AND Broad. Let alone short.
At this stage of a rebuild.
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You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Not in the same class
Vlastuin is my favourite player and a Richmond champion, but Hodge was a freak. One of the best to ever play the game.
That is a different conversation.
The question is why do you need Vlastuin AND Broad. Let alone short.
At this stage or a rebuild.
Definitely don’t need Short IMO
As for the other two , I would play them if available. Broad is a shadow of his best though, no doubt on that.
I’m appalling at selecting teams being honest, it’s why I very rarely post a team here. I’m opinionated on which players I like and don’t like however :lol :lol :lol
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Another factor is -
Trainor *wants* to play backline.
His best position is prob backline.
He is one of the clubs most important assets.
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Who guided Rance Asbury houli broad Vlastuin? Chaplin? Lol
It's cliche feel good untruths.
Vlastuin is more than enough. What's going to happen is Vlastuin. Broad. Short will be in the back 6 damaging the development of the club long term. And you'll be there sprouting zomg this is good! Luke hodge!!
Ideally Vlastuin and broad should be phased out of the back 6 either not playing if moving to wing/tagger/mid/ruck/fwd etc. to allow a back 6 develop together.
Most importantly Trainor and gibcus and then balta and miller.
You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Yes, Rance was quite vocal about Chaplin's significant and positive influence on his development. Just because Tross became a legendary player doesn't mean Chaplin didn't help his development. Ironically Chaplin is now part of AFL coaching staff - who'd have thunk it?
Rance guided both Astbury and Grimes IMO. Probably Broad in the early days a bit as well.
Houli and Vlastuin are different sorts of players.
Broad will see out his final year and be useful, then Vlastuin will continue another year or two easily.
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Who guided Rance Asbury houli broad Vlastuin? Chaplin? Lol
It's cliche feel good untruths.
Vlastuin is more than enough. What's going to happen is Vlastuin. Broad. Short will be in the back 6 damaging the development of the club long term. And you'll be there sprouting zomg this is good! Luke hodge!!
Ideally Vlastuin and broad should be phased out of the back 6 either not playing if moving to wing/tagger/mid/ruck/fwd etc. to allow a back 6 develop together.
Most importantly Trainor and gibcus and then balta and miller.
You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Yes, Rance was quite vocal about Chaplin's significant and positive influence on his development. Just because Tross became a legendary player doesn't mean Chaplin didn't help his development. Ironically Chaplin is now part of AFL coaching staff - who'd have thunk it?
Rance guided both Astbury and Grimes IMO. Probably Broad in the early days a bit as well.
Houli and Vlastuin are different sorts of players.
Broad will see out his final year and be useful, then Vlastuin will continue another year or two easily.
So you don't actually need a Luke hodge type to develop a good backline? Those were just lies a few posts up.
You can have a soft spud like Chaplin do it?
Hence balta and miller should be more than up to the task.
With all that said. Much to the chagrin of clawski. I expect the back 6 will include broad. Vlastuin. Short. If they are fit due to the wishes of the selection panel
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Who guided Rance Asbury houli broad Vlastuin? Chaplin? Lol
It's cliche feel good untruths.
Vlastuin is more than enough. What's going to happen is Vlastuin. Broad. Short will be in the back 6 damaging the development of the club long term. And you'll be there sprouting zomg this is good! Luke hodge!!
Ideally Vlastuin and broad should be phased out of the back 6 either not playing if moving to wing/tagger/mid/ruck/fwd etc. to allow a back 6 develop together.
Most importantly Trainor and gibcus and then balta and miller.
You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Yes, Rance was quite vocal about Chaplin's significant and positive influence on his development. Just because Tross became a legendary player doesn't mean Chaplin didn't help his development. Ironically Chaplin is now part of AFL coaching staff - who'd have thunk it?
Rance guided both Astbury and Grimes IMO. Probably Broad in the early days a bit as well.
Houli and Vlastuin are different sorts of players.
Broad will see out his final year and be useful, then Vlastuin will continue another year or two easily.
So you don't actually need a Luke hodge type to develop a good backline? Those were just lies a few posts up.
You can have a soft spud like Chaplin do it?
Hence balta and miller should be more than up to the task.
Well, we managed 3 flags without Luke Hodge.
Rance spoke highly of Chaplin's influence on him.
I see Broad and Vlastuin playing that role somewhat.
Evidence would suggest Balta may not be the best candidate for mentoring roles at this stage.
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I wouldn’t engage Andy. The guy is a circular reference.
It’s not hard to find many examples of older players - either in the club or brought into a club to take an on field role in player development.
It’s happened time and again over many years.
Not strictly a prerequisite but why wouldn’t you do it?
Norf has had to change it’s recruiting because Brad Scott dumped and ran on all his senior experience and their kids were exposed. Not yet fixed because the decay was so bad on morale.
If the circular reference doesn’t see that, he can continue to chase his tail.
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Another factor is -
Trainor *wants* to play backline.
His best position is prob backline.
He is one of the clubs most important assets.
Let's be honest it doesn't matter where young Luke "wants" to play his job is play where the coaches decide to play him, which is and should be what's best for the team
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I wouldn’t engage Andy. The guy is a circular reference.
It’s not hard to find many examples of older players - either in the club or brought into a club to take an on field role in player development.
It’s happened time and again over many years.
Not strictly a prerequisite but why wouldn’t you do it?
Norf has had to change it’s recruiting because Brad Scott dumped and ran on all his senior experience and their kids were exposed. Not yet fixed because the decay was so bad on morale.
If the circular reference doesn’t see that, he can continue to chase his tail.
Yeah, bit of an echo chamber.
This is also why we have Taranto and Hopper, if not the reason we recruited them initially.
Thankfully someone else manages the list and runs the club.
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I wouldn’t engage Andy. The guy is a circular reference.
It’s not hard to find many examples of older players - either in the club or brought into a club to take an on field role in player development.
It’s happened time and again over many years.
Not strictly a prerequisite but why wouldn’t you do it?
Norf has had to change it’s recruiting because Brad Scott dumped and ran on all his senior experience and their kids were exposed. Not yet fixed because the decay was so bad on morale.
If the circular reference doesn’t see that, he can continue to chase his tail.
How have north fixed their backline leadership professor Peterson? By bringing in the leadership giant that is Caleb Daniels?
If Richmond can win three times with troy bloody Chaplin as the leader why cannot miller and balta so that role?
You wouldn't so it because you want to get games into gibcus. Trainor. Brown. Banks. Etx. And you want them in their preferred positions.
Not engaging doesn't mean you are right
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Who guided Rance Asbury houli broad Vlastuin? Chaplin? Lol
It's cliche feel good untruths.
Vlastuin is more than enough. What's going to happen is Vlastuin. Broad. Short will be in the back 6 damaging the development of the club long term. And you'll be there sprouting zomg this is good! Luke hodge!!
Ideally Vlastuin and broad should be phased out of the back 6 either not playing if moving to wing/tagger/mid/ruck/fwd etc. to allow a back 6 develop together.
Most importantly Trainor and gibcus and then balta and miller.
You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Yes, Rance was quite vocal about Chaplin's significant and positive influence on his development. Just because Tross became a legendary player doesn't mean Chaplin didn't help his development. Ironically Chaplin is now part of AFL coaching staff - who'd have thunk it?
Rance guided both Astbury and Grimes IMO. Probably Broad in the early days a bit as well.
Houli and Vlastuin are different sorts of players.
Broad will see out his final year and be useful, then Vlastuin will continue another year or two easily.
So you don't actually need a Luke hodge type to develop a good backline? Those were just lies a few posts up.
You can have a soft spud like Chaplin do it?
Hence balta and miller should be more than up to the task.
Well, we managed 3 flags without Luke Hodge.
Rance spoke highly of Chaplin's influence on him.
I see Broad and Vlastuin playing that role somewhat.
Evidence would suggest Balta may not be the best candidate for mentoring roles at this stage.
Balta twating a bloke in a pub disqualifies him yet hodge is the goat for drink driving. Ending his friendship with rioli. Endlessly elbowing people in the head. Heading a systematic racism scandal. Telling goodes he's a wanker etc etc. is acceptable?
Many Richmond and former Richmond have spoken highly about balta too
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Another factor is -
Trainor *wants* to play backline.
His best position is prob backline.
He is one of the clubs most important assets.
Let's be honest it doesn't matter where young Luke "wants" to play his job is play where the coaches decide to play him, which is and should be what's best for the team
Yep goes without saying what he wants doesn't matter.
Yet he was a top2 defender in his draft pool. It's his natural position. The club is starting a rebuild and it's imperative to get games into him.
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Geez didn’t mean to start a war with my post.
My biggest issue with balta has always been his footy iq. It’s very evident that he was late to the game and it’s his athleticism that got him to adapt very quickly. When we were a great side and he had Rance, astbury, grimes, broad, vlas in the peak of their powers to take instruction from, he was a very important part in the back end of our dynasty. With the older guys finishing up / losing form, baltas form has also been on the steady decline culminating in his worst season yet this year. I’m interested to see whether last season was a result of what happened off field (and understandably so) and whether he can recapture his form this season.
Just basing it off last seasons form, I have him behind the other 7 defenders I named in my original post.
I wouldn’t be playing him wing or perm forward either, again footy iq isn’t there. I’d give sims first crack but 2nd ruck / part time fwd would be the only other place to play him imo.
Now if next season is a repeat of this one and a club desperate for key position defenders came calling with a good 2026 pick, I’d bite at that. We could cover a decent chunk of his salary too.
Hopefully he has reset his mind and gets back on track this season in which case the above is all just moot.
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I wouldn’t engage Andy. The guy is a circular reference.
It’s not hard to find many examples of older players - either in the club or brought into a club to take an on field role in player development.
It’s happened time and again over many years.
Not strictly a prerequisite but why wouldn’t you do it?
Norf has had to change it’s recruiting because Brad Scott dumped and ran on all his senior experience and their kids were exposed. Not yet fixed because the decay was so bad on morale.
If the circular reference doesn’t see that, he can continue to chase his tail.
Yeah, bit of an echo chamber.
This is also why we have Taranto and Hopper, if not the reason we recruited them initially.
Thankfully someone else manages the list and runs the club.
Yep coming from the bloke that was crying over not having Daniel Lowther, as a SSP
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That's enough with the petty insults and cheap shots
Stick to the topic and discussing it :banghead
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Who guided Rance Asbury houli broad Vlastuin? Chaplin? Lol
It's cliche feel good untruths.
Vlastuin is more than enough. What's going to happen is Vlastuin. Broad. Short will be in the back 6 damaging the development of the club long term. And you'll be there sprouting zomg this is good! Luke hodge!!
Ideally Vlastuin and broad should be phased out of the back 6 either not playing if moving to wing/tagger/mid/ruck/fwd etc. to allow a back 6 develop together.
Most importantly Trainor and gibcus and then balta and miller.
You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Yes, Rance was quite vocal about Chaplin's significant and positive influence on his development. Just because Tross became a legendary player doesn't mean Chaplin didn't help his development. Ironically Chaplin is now part of AFL coaching staff - who'd have thunk it?
Rance guided both Astbury and Grimes IMO. Probably Broad in the early days a bit as well.
Houli and Vlastuin are different sorts of players.
Broad will see out his final year and be useful, then Vlastuin will continue another year or two easily.
So you don't actually need a Luke hodge type to develop a good backline? Those were just lies a few posts up.
You can have a soft spud like Chaplin do it?
Hence balta and miller should be more than up to the task.
Well, we managed 3 flags without Luke Hodge.
Rance spoke highly of Chaplin's influence on him.
I see Broad and Vlastuin playing that role somewhat.
Evidence would suggest Balta may not be the best candidate for mentoring roles at this stage.
Balta twating a bloke in a pub disqualifies him yet hodge is the goat for drink driving. Ending his friendship with rioli. Endlessly elbowing people in the head. Heading a systematic racism scandal. Telling goodes he's a wanker etc etc. is acceptable?
Many Richmond and former Richmond have spoken highly about balta too
I never said Hodge is the GOAT myself. In fact it really annoys me that people call Cotchin a dirty player/sniper but Hodge cops all the plaudits. He was filthy. The rest sounds mostly like conjecture.
Balta won't be getting any leadership roles so soon after an assault charge, we can be sure of that.
I wouldn’t engage Andy. The guy is a circular reference.
It’s not hard to find many examples of older players - either in the club or brought into a club to take an on field role in player development.
It’s happened time and again over many years.
Not strictly a prerequisite but why wouldn’t you do it?
Norf has had to change it’s recruiting because Brad Scott dumped and ran on all his senior experience and their kids were exposed. Not yet fixed because the decay was so bad on morale.
If the circular reference doesn’t see that, he can continue to chase his tail.
Yeah, bit of an echo chamber.
This is also why we have Taranto and Hopper, if not the reason we recruited them initially.
Thankfully someone else manages the list and runs the club.
Yep coming from the bloke that was crying over not having Daniel Lowther, as a SSP
Who?
No idea what you're talking about.
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Ending his friendship with rioli.
Are you playing opposites?
Because you clearly have no idea if this is the case.
Hodge, Buddy (yep Buddy), Roughy and numerous other friends have tried and tried to speak to Cyril and he won’t have a bar of it. Going to tell us Buddy played an integral part in the racism as well?
Rioli was barracking for the Gold Coast against the Hawks early this year (petty, even accounting for Daniel). After which Hodge made the effort to go and see him after the siren. They seemed friendly at this point.
You are talking about something you clearly have zero or extremely limited knowledge about. I have mates that were heavily involved at Hawthorn at the time and what you are accusing Luke Hodge of, regarding the friendship and involvement in the racism etc , is so wrong that it’s pathetic.
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Ending his friendship with rioli.
Are you playing opposites?
Because you clearly have no idea if this is the case.
Hodge, Buddy (yep Buddy), Roughy and numerous other friends have tried and tried to speak to Cyril and he won’t have a bar of it. Going to tell us Buddy played an integral part in the racism as well?
Rioli was barracking for the Gold Coast against the Hawks early this year (petty, even accounting for Daniel). After which Hodge made the effort to go and see him after the siren. They seemed friendly at this point.
You are talking about something you clearly have zero or extremely limited knowledge about. I have mates that were heavily involved at Hawthorn at the time and what you are accusing Luke Hodge of, regarding the friendship and involvement in the racism etc , is so wrong that it’s pathetic.
*like button*
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Who guided Rance Asbury houli broad Vlastuin? Chaplin? Lol
It's cliche feel good untruths.
Vlastuin is more than enough. What's going to happen is Vlastuin. Broad. Short will be in the back 6 damaging the development of the club long term. And you'll be there sprouting zomg this is good! Luke hodge!!
Ideally Vlastuin and broad should be phased out of the back 6 either not playing if moving to wing/tagger/mid/ruck/fwd etc. to allow a back 6 develop together.
Most importantly Trainor and gibcus and then balta and miller.
You already likely have Vlastuin as a defender who is more hodge than hodge himself.
Yes, Rance was quite vocal about Chaplin's significant and positive influence on his development. Just because Tross became a legendary player doesn't mean Chaplin didn't help his development. Ironically Chaplin is now part of AFL coaching staff - who'd have thunk it?
Rance guided both Astbury and Grimes IMO. Probably Broad in the early days a bit as well.
Houli and Vlastuin are different sorts of players.
Broad will see out his final year and be useful, then Vlastuin will continue another year or two easily.
So you don't actually need a Luke hodge type to develop a good backline? Those were just lies a few posts up.
You can have a soft spud like Chaplin do it?
Hence balta and miller should be more than up to the task.
Well, we managed 3 flags without Luke Hodge.
Rance spoke highly of Chaplin's influence on him.
I see Broad and Vlastuin playing that role somewhat.
Evidence would suggest Balta may not be the best candidate for mentoring roles at this stage.
Balta twating a bloke in a pub disqualifies him yet hodge is the goat for drink driving. Ending his friendship with rioli. Endlessly elbowing people in the head. Heading a systematic racism scandal. Telling goodes he's a wanker etc etc. is acceptable?
Many Richmond and former Richmond have spoken highly about balta too
I never said Hodge is the GOAT myself. In fact it really annoys me that people call Cotchin a dirty player/sniper but Hodge cops all the plaudits. He was filthy. The rest sounds mostly like conjecture.
Balta won't be getting any leadership roles so soon after an assault charge, we can be sure of that.
I wouldn’t engage Andy. The guy is a circular reference.
It’s not hard to find many examples of older players - either in the club or brought into a club to take an on field role in player development.
It’s happened time and again over many years.
Not strictly a prerequisite but why wouldn’t you do it?
Norf has had to change it’s recruiting because Brad Scott dumped and ran on all his senior experience and their kids were exposed. Not yet fixed because the decay was so bad on morale.
If the circular reference doesn’t see that, he can continue to chase his tail.
Yeah, bit of an echo chamber.
This is also why we have Taranto and Hopper, if not the reason we recruited them initially.
Thankfully someone else manages the list and runs the club.
Yep coming from the bloke that was crying over not having Daniel Lowther, as a SSP
Who?
No idea what you're talking about.
A mature age ruck signed for the Richmond vfl side. That you were complaining his type not being given an afl spot ahead of two promising kids. Such is you list management levels of knowledge
Balta doesn't need to be in the leadership group officially to mentor the backline. The coach. Who I expect has more idea than you. Has praised balta leadership.
" Yze said Balta's character in the team environment is one many of his players continue to look to, with his leadership skills a significant benefit for the group.
"He's such a good teammate," Yze continued.
"The players love having him around, part of the group, and he's a leader out there. "
Ending his friendship with rioli.
Are you playing opposites?
Because you clearly have no idea if this is the case.
Hodge, Buddy (yep Buddy), Roughy and numerous other friends have tried and tried to speak to Cyril and he won’t have a bar of it. Going to tell us Buddy played an integral part in the racism as well?
Rioli was barracking for the Gold Coast against the Hawks early this year (petty, even accounting for Daniel). After which Hodge made the effort to go and see him after the siren. They seemed friendly at this point.
You are talking about something you clearly have zero or extremely limited knowledge about. I have mates that were heavily involved at Hawthorn at the time and what you are accusing Luke Hodge of, regarding the friendship and involvement in the racism etc , is so wrong that it’s pathetic.
I'll be honest with ya , I could not give a rats about the specifics. The overarching point is that while hodge was a great leader and player he is far from a choir boy and there is no reason balta and miller could not be leaders of the standard is troy Chaplin.
Vlastuin. Broad. Short. Is way too many old people in the back6 given the clubs position and timeline.
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A mature age ruck signed for the Richmond vfl side. That you were complaining his type not being given an afl spot ahead of two promising kids. Such is you list management levels of knowledge
Balta doesn't need to be in the leadership group officially to mentor the backline. The coach. Who I expect has more idea than you. Has praised balta leadership.
" Yze said Balta's character in the team environment is one many of his players continue to look to, with his leadership skills a significant benefit for the group.
"He's such a good teammate," Yze continued.
"The players love having him around, part of the group, and he's a leader out there. "
So you admit to being full of S about me 'crying' that we didn't give a rookie spot to someone named Lowther?
I've identified a list need and I think the club is remiss for not addressing it. That's all.
But hey, if Nank goes down I'm sure Ryan (lol) and a teenage Sims will do the job. Or maybe that bloke in the VFL who hasn't had a sniff yet.
Yze isn't going to come out and say Balta needs a whack over the head sometimes, is he?
Of course he's a <insert cliche here>. Why not mention how hard he trains, all the muscle he's putting on over summer, best pre-season he's ever had, etc etc?
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I'll be honest with ya , I could not give a rats about the specifics. The overarching point is that while hodge was a great leader and player he is far from a choir boy and there is no reason balta and miller could not be leaders of the standard is troy Chaplin.
Vlastuin. Broad. Short. Is way too many old people in the back6 given the clubs position and timeline.
Spits BS conjecture, accusing people of driving systemic levels of racism, claiming to understand intimate social dynamics between other people etc etc.
Then follow up with 'I could not give a rats about the specifics'.
:shh
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Yze says balta is a leader. Must be PC hogwash.
Rance says Chaplin isn't a soft gimp that's like playing a man down and you believe that's gospel?
Remarkable.
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Yze says balta is a leader. Must be PC hogwash.
Rance says Chaplin isn't a soft gimp that's like playing a man down and you believe that's gospel?
Remarkable.
:lol
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A mature age ruck signed for the Richmond vfl side. That you were complaining his type not being given an afl spot ahead of two promising kids. Such is you list management levels of knowledge
Balta doesn't need to be in the leadership group officially to mentor the backline. The coach. Who I expect has more idea than you. Has praised balta leadership.
" Yze said Balta's character in the team environment is one many of his players continue to look to, with his leadership skills a significant benefit for the group.
"He's such a good teammate," Yze continued.
"The players love having him around, part of the group, and he's a leader out there. "
So you admit to being full of S about me 'crying' that we didn't give a rookie spot to someone named Lowther?
I've identified a list need and I think the club is remiss for not addressing it. That's all.
But hey, if Nank goes down I'm sure Ryan (lol) and a teenage Sims will do the job. Or maybe that bloke in the VFL who hasn't had a sniff yet.
Yze isn't going to come out and say Balta needs a whack over the head sometimes, is he?
Of course he's a <insert cliche here>. Why not mention how hard he trains, all the muscle he's putting on over summer, best pre-season he's ever had, etc etc?
So when nankervis gets hurt and richmond play OHB/Ryan/balta etc. As a ruck Richmond might come bottom 2 instead of bottom 4?
Oh my goodness good point again
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All this just because I didn’t have balta in my best 23 lol
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SNIP :banghead
Clear baiting of other posters (which the post I've just removed was) is against site rules.
Debate the topic without the cheap shots, baiting etc Or strikes will be handed out
Clear?
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SNIP :banghead
Clear baiting of other posters (which the post I've just removed was) is against site rules.
Debate the topic without the cheap shots, baiting etc Or strikes will be handed out
Clear?
I am debating the topic.
- " Rance spoke highly of Chaplin's influence on him."
- " Yze isn't going to come out and say Balta needs a whack over the head sometimes, is he?
Of course he's a <insert cliche here>"
Why is a former player seen as reliable in his commentary and the coach not so?
It's directly connected to the subject of the make up if the backline and the apparent need for leadership.
Refer to Tiger Khosh former discussion in regards to Vlastuin.
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I am debating the topic.
- " Rance spoke highly of Chaplin's influence on him."
- " Yze isn't going to come out and say Balta needs a whack over the head sometimes, is he?
Of course he's a <insert cliche here>"
Why is a former player seen as reliable in his commentary and the coach not so?
It's directly connected to the subject of the make up if the backline and the apparent need for leadership.
Refer to Tiger Khosh former discussion in regards to Vlastuin.
The above is indeed debating the topic.
Your childish, snide little comment that was at the end of the post I removed wasn't. It was a clear bait.
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Every team's best 23 going into 2026
Nic Negrepontis
Nine
December 5, 2025
One thing to note is we have not included any players out with significant long-term injuries.
RICHMOND
FB: J. Gibcus, B. Miller, N. Vlastuin
HB: J. Short, N. Balta, S. Banks
C: S. Grlj, T. Taranto, L. Trainor
HF: J. Hopper, H. Armstrong, T. Hotton
FF: J. Faull, T. Lynch, S. Campbell
FOL: T. Nankervis, S. Lalor, D. Prestia
INT: T. Brown, N. Broad, S. Cumming, J. Ross, R. Mansell
STRENGTH: Potentially the hardest best 23 to predict this off-season given the sheer quantity of young talent the Tigers have accumulated across the last two years. No team boasts as many top draft picks at the start of their careers and the key will be putting enough veteran bodies around them to protect them.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Having so many youngsters is their strength, but it will also impact their ability to perform consistently across the season. The forward line in particular will take time to find its feet given the young key forwards coupled with Tom Lynch in the final stage of his career.
https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/news-best-23-all-18-clubs-teams-trade-draft-period-2026-20251130-p5nl60.html
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What is going on people do realise opinions are like Aholes we all have one. Our opinions are no more right or wrong than the next one.
My opinion is we need experienced players in the team when we have so many kids demanding games.
Sometimes criteria demands we play a mature player over a kid and then for sure and certain there are cases for kids to be played over mature players.
Talent, form, performance, leadership, know how and even where the talent is and the need to get games into that talent.
Team deficiency is another big one hence all the debates about our midfield of mostly older players being as slow as treacle finding the balance is what its about.
Some had a go at me because i believe Trainor to be a kpd in the making but i rate Gibcus a better defender its an opinion and it does have substance to it so why try and do nothing but point score from one particular D head.
Anyway logic says it then comes down to, do we pick Trainor in front of Miller or Balta? Well currently Miller is the first kpd picked and Balta is coming off not just a shocking year this year but a poor one the year before. There is a case to be made for Miller, Gibcus and Trainor to be played in the back half in front of Balta. So the debate should include weather Balta is the one to miss. One reason Balta may play there is the experience factor with Only Miller and Vlastuin genuine mature players with enough experience.
How about our midfield or mids that can win ball for themselves. there is room for seven genuine mids excluding pure outside running types.
For me if fit and ready to go Lalor, Smillie, Hotton in a dual role, McAuliffe and Cumming all play. Next to them Hopper and Taranto make up the seven needed and bring some maturity. If the likes of Ross and others miss a midfield gig tough its what needs to happen.
Wingers have been lousy for how long now? we need to do something different to address the problem. Retschko and Campbell for me please and definately in front of Trainor Ralphsmith Ross Short they are not the answer in that role.
Have we replaced Dan Rioli across hb whats that no i hear?. Then the best option we have atm is 18 year old Grlj . The question do we play him in front of mature a type like Short and some who have been around for 4 or so years. The answer is easy its a big yes.
Back to the mids If Sam Cumming shows enough in the off season why would you not just play him? He addresses a very serious team need in several areas.
Surely if Smillie is fit he just plays, we know the talent and upside he has. same for Lalor. and Hotton playing 40% mid 60% fwd.
The one who always hardly gets a mention McAuliffe again he brings attributes to the table that blokes like Ross Sonsie Taranto Hopper Prestia just dont have, Who misses do we try to address team needs.or do we continue to play blokes simply because they feel they need to fit them in somewhere simply because they have been around longer.
There are senior players i just don't rate and think we are wasting our time playing them in front of kids. If i had a choice, with the future the primary focus, then those senior players dont get a game weather we need their experience or not.
I think Broad will play senior footy most of the year simply because of his leadership and experience and he will lead by example , does he start in the back half well im not so sure but as a part of the 23 yes.
Kicking goals what a problem it has been outside of Campbell this year. Our small forwards are not proficient goal kickers and it shows but boy we love em when they chase tail but never quite affect the outcome aka Rioli.
Personally i have talked up Algar and Hotton and also have kept Mansell in the team for now not because he is the most talented or capable of players simply because he is better than half the small forwards we have. Mansell or Rioli or even Green sheesh Nigel wins hands down and he adds that bit of toughness and experience for the kids around him.
Anyway enough. To say all of the above is opinion is correct, its no more right or wrong than anyone else's opinion.
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A lot of good points claw
IMO Balta is our #2 ruck option and if Nank goes down he could be main ruck over Sims or the likes of Delilah*
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A lot of good points claw
IMO Balta is our #2 ruck option and if Nank goes down he could be main ruck over Sims or the likes of Delilah*
Which brings as to another problem as the coach has steadfast states he wants balta in the backline and you call him a liar.
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All good , we are all entitled to an opinion even if it varies from others or the coaches . With respect express your opinion and just agree to disagree , no issue.
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All good , we are all entitled to an opinion even if it varies from others or the coaches . With respect express your opinion and just agree to disagree , no issue.
Of course that's the nature of being a supporter.
But it raises the question.
If the coach is not being truthful about balta leadership and mentoring.
Is he lying again? about wanting him as a pillar of the back 6?
Balta is clearly the 2nd best ruckman. It's also make a backline of: trainor. Gibcus. Miller much easier to implement
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A lot of good points claw
IMO Balta is our #2 ruck option and if Nank goes down he could be main ruck over Sims or the likes of Delilah*
Which brings as to another problem as the coach has steadfast states he wants balta in the backline and you call him a liar.
Never called him a liar.
Just stating that a head coach is not going to publicly denigrate a player after an assault conviction and some very ordinary form on the field by stating that he's not a great choice for mentoring kids until he works himself back into favour and respect etc. And I have said the same about our coaching staff for other issues previously.
And to think some people have suggested moving on Vlastuin... lol
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I'm very torn between in the team that will win us the most games in 2026 and the team that I want to develop/build for the future. If its a team to win games in 2026, then here is mine -
FB: Broad Miller Trainor
HB: Banks Balta Vlastuin
C: Retschko Prestia Short
HF: Campbell Lynch Lalor
FF: Mansell, Faull Fawcett
Fol: Nankervis Taranto Hopper
INT:Brown Hotton Ross Rioli, Cumming
But....if I have an eye on the future then -
FB: Gibcus Miller Trainor
HB: Banks Balta Brown
C: Retschko Smilie Grlj
HF: Campbell Fawcett Hopper
FF: Cumming Faull Armstrong
Fol: Nankervis Lalor Taranto
INT: Broad Vlaustin Hotton Rioli
Full Back - My developing team has Gibcus and Trainor on the Half Back line along with Miller. This is a balance of developing youth and rock solid defense. Both have a massive upside if they can get games into their legs. They have height, poise, intercept ability and skill. They just need the strength and experience.
Half Back - Brown becomes our number one intercept defender and Balta our number one shutdown defender. I sense Balta is going to have a massive year this year and Banks will give us good run off the half back plus be eager to keep Grlj out of his spot.
Center - The addition of Retschko will give is a specialist wingman who can run all day. I like the idea of moving Grlj to the other wing where he can use his run, elusiveness and kicking. Short could play this role but he doesn't have the defensive side to his game or run Grlj provides. If he can ever get on the park, Smilie in the middle just makes sense because he can use his ball winning ability and also act as a link man, given his height.
Half Forward - Campbell was a surprize packet last season and has the elusive speed we need running up and back into our forwardline. Fawcett has the size the other two key forwards lack atm to break packs and provide a physical presence in the absence of Lynch.
Lalor is our utility. I wish we had ten of him. He gives us another forward threat, sets up others and can rotate through the middle. Everything he touches turns to gold and with another preseason, I am super excited about what he'll do this year.
Full Forward - I want to see Cumming up forward so Mansell had to make way. I can see Mansell going back to the VFL to learn how to be a defender. Cumming will be a threat forward, setting up play, being an aerial threat and locking the ball in. He's going to a super player for us.
Alternatively, have Rioli in this role will give us greater defensive pressure. I am excited by what the two twin towers can offer us in the future. I love Faulls smarts; bringing ball to ground by crashing the packs, tapping it out to teammates, getting his knees dirty at the bottom of packs. He's an 'ugly' forward but one that does everything right. He honestly reminds me of Jack with his footy smarts.
Armstrong is your more leadup, conventional tall forward. Big mark, accurate kicks, loves to tackle. The two of them need to learn how to work together to better create space and opportunities for each other. With Bruest on hand to develop them, I feel we'll see that this year.
Following - I'd rather see a midfield of Lalor, Smilie, Campbell, Hotton, Cummings and Gryll but at the moment, our best option remains the old guard in Taranto and Hopper. I moved Hopper to the forwardline to rotate with Lalor. I pray we have the courage to begin to rotate both Taranto and Hopper forward with Lalor, Hotton, Campbell and Cummings early in the season, to give us more run and versitility.
Anyway, just my take
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A lot of good points claw
IMO Balta is our #2 ruck option and if Nank goes down he could be main ruck over Sims or the likes of Delilah*
Which brings as to another problem as the coach has steadfast states he wants balta in the backline and you call him a liar.
Never called him a liar.
Just stating that a head coach is not going to publicly denigrate a player after an assault conviction and some very ordinary form on the field by stating that he's not a great choice for mentoring kids until he works himself back into favour and respect etc. And I have said the same about our coaching staff for other issues previously.
And to think some people have suggested moving on Vlastuin... lol
Yep. I said I'd strongly consider a pick in the range of Barker/Lindsay/Dovaston/oskarTaylor/Sharp for a soon to be 32 year old given the current state of play.
You'd then only have two old players in the back 6 in Short and Broad and another elite talent to add to Grlj and Cumming.
You seem to believe hitting a bloke in a pub means you cannot be a mentor on a football team onfield at a future time. Very HR outlook yet again.
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A lot of good points claw
IMO Balta is our #2 ruck option and if Nank goes down he could be main ruck over Sims or the likes of Delilah*
Which brings as to another problem as the coach has steadfast states he wants balta in the backline and you call him a liar.
Never called him a liar.
Just stating that a head coach is not going to publicly denigrate a player after an assault conviction and some very ordinary form on the field by stating that he's not a great choice for mentoring kids until he works himself back into favour and respect etc. And I have said the same about our coaching staff for other issues previously.
And to think some people have suggested moving on Vlastuin... lol
Yep. I said I'd strongly consider a pick in the range of Barker/Lindsay/Dovaston/oskarTaylor/Sharp for a soon to be 32 year old given the current state of play.
You'd then only have two old players in the back 6 in Short and Broad and another elite talent to add to Grlj and Cumming.
You seem to believe hitting a bloke in a pub means you cannot be a mentor on a football team onfield at a future time. Very HR outlook yet again.
Didn't say this, stop putting words in my mouth :lol
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A lot of good points claw
IMO Balta is our #2 ruck option and if Nank goes down he could be main ruck over Sims or the likes of Delilah*
Which brings as to another problem as the coach has steadfast states he wants balta in the backline and you call him a liar.
Never called him a liar.
Just stating that a head coach is not going to publicly denigrate a player after an assault conviction and some very ordinary form on the field by stating that he's not a great choice for mentoring kids until he works himself back into favour and respect etc. And I have said the same about our coaching staff for other issues previously.
And to think some people have suggested moving on Vlastuin... lol
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With a lot of optimism about the kids we have the logical question should be who do the younger blokes replace sort of like for like.
Im looking at older players who played at least 11 games.
Mids
Prestia 12 - Lalor 10. Makes Prestia redundant. Pace and power added
Ross 23 - McAuliffe 5. Has far better attributes and addresses a few mid field weaknesses.Pace and power and hurt factor physically added.
Sonsie 16 - Smillie 0. Big upgrade imo ball use size and an ability to get his hands on the ball and no squibbing.
Dow 11 - Cumming 0. Big upgrade again a complete opposite in many ways pace power aggression hurt factor with ball and can go fwd.
Wing
McIntosh 23 retired did not play exclusively wing this year. Clarke would be in contention if not for injury.
HRS 12 - Campbell 23 has attributes for the role Hugo can only dream of.
Trezise 16 - Retschko 0. Trezise is no winger imo lacking in too many areas for the gig.
HB
Broad 22 - Brown 23 Time for Brown to take over the role he has done a good apprenticship.
Short 15 - Grlj 0. This is a no brainer imo
Possibly three others in contention Banks, Smith and Trezise making Shorts position almost untenable.
Forwards
Green 19 - Algar 3. Kid looks a gun could Green have played 19 more underwhelming games.Statistically horrible year for green and they backed up what we saw
Rioli 13 - Hotton. Who in their right mind would pick Rioli over Hotton.Rioli like Green was statistically horrible mostly backing up what we saw.
We must find general forwards who can at least impact the scoreboard regularly.
I think when you look at the games these blokes got this year and how poor they were in the main and you add in there deficiencies then there is a good case for the kids to be played and a few role changes made.
To me something like this makes sense and gives us the best of all worlds.
Vlastuin - Miller - Trainor
Brown - Gibcus - Grlj
Retschko - McAuliffe - Campbell
Nankervis - Taranto - Lalor
Hotton - Faull - Algar
Mansell - Lynch - Armstrong
Hopper - Balta - Cumming - Smillie - Banks.
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Best 23 for 2026 - Are Richmond the most talented Young List in the AFL?
Dylan Alexander examines Richmond's young talent, position by position. This analysis includes a detailed breakdown of each player's strengths and weaknesses, and 2026 predictions. Expect some controversial choices and insights into the team's future.
The last two years have been all about player recruitment and development for the Richmond Tigers. Expectations will still be low in 2026 but as these young players continue to blossom, so will the victories!
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
03:05 - Defenders
07:18 - Mids
09:35 - Forwards
12:50 - Interchange
13:41 - Others
17:28 - Predictions
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qKfbHa-GtlU/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKfbHa-GtlU)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKfbHa-GtlU
Dylan Alexander's Best 23 for us:
RICHMOND
B: Vlastuin Gibcus Broad
HB: Trainor Balta Banks
C: Ralphsmith Lalor Grlj
HF: Campbell Faull Hotton
F: Mansell Lynch Armstrong
R: Nankervis Hopper Taranto
Int: Brown Cumming Ross Prestia Sims
Emg (from): Short, Green, Lefau, Miller, Smillie, Smith, Rioli, Gray, Alger, Puecker, Retschko
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Gunna start by saying Broady is a favorite and been a great servant.
I have to ask though should he have retired this year.
I ask simply because of where our general defenders are at.
First off Luke Trainor. Future KPD but should be playing third tall until the real size and strength comes. Third tall is potentially a role Broad plays.
Priority one for me is getting games into Trainor in a tall role where he belongs.
Then there is Broads main role general defender plays one v one well, provides a bit of rebound and can intercept mark.He can play on talls and smalls.
We have a bloke in Tom Brown who is 22 who has just got to 42 games and he is tracking well in that role, would like a bit more offense from him but he is building.
We also have a general defender called Nick Vlastuin who is probably the first defender picked every week.
There is only six spots in a back line so obviously our kpd's will be two of Miller, Balta and Gibbo. Vlastuin makes three automatic selections.. Trainor and Brown make 5 if they are to be developed in their best roles.
It still leaves us fitting in highly likely Grlj as a running hb and Banks in the old Short role.
For the roles Broady plays for us and given where those coming thru are at and not to forget We do have likely replacements for him in a period of rebuild. I am asking the question should he play in front of those mentioned.
I hate leaving him out of our best 23, but the back half does have its share of experienced players, the main reason why Nathan would get picked.
Imo its time to give Brown Broads role. We need to develop Trainor out of the back half as our y Grimes type third tall who can play kpd but can be effective as a general defender on smaller types if needed.
This is not a disrespectful go at Broady, its good to have him around the place with so many kids. But i keep asking what is best for us and i think playing both Trainor and Brown in the backhalf is the way to go.
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Gunna start by saying Broady is a favorite and been a great servant.
I have to ask though should he have retired this year.
Could have - yes, should have - no. Just my 2c. Doesn't mean he has to play 20+ games in 2026. He might have to transition to depth this year unfortunately.
I ask simply because of where our general defenders are at.
First off Luke Trainor. Future KPD but should be playing third tall until the real size and strength comes. Third tall is potentially a role Broad plays.
Priority one for me is getting games into Trainor in a tall role where he belongs.
Broady should be playing small if he can still run fast enough. Honestly though we are very top heavy if we're going with Miller, Balta, Gibcus, Trainor, Broad, Brown etc
Then there is Broads main role general defender plays one v one well, provides a bit of rebound and can intercept mark.He can play on talls and smalls.
We have a bloke in Tom Brown who is 22 who has just got to 42 games and he is tracking well in that role, would like a bit more offense from him but he is building.
Do we try Brown forward maybe? Bloke has a serious leg on him.
We also have a general defender called Nick Vlastuin who is probably the first defender picked every week.
Thankfully we didn't trade this legend out like someone else suggested LOL
There is only six spots in a back line so obviously our kpd's will be two of Miller, Balta and Gibbo. Vlastuin makes three automatic selections.. Trainor and Brown make 5 if they are to be developed in their best roles.
It still leaves us fitting in highly likely Grlj as a running hb and Banks in the old Short role.
Is Grlj really a HBF or are we just talking about HBF until he's big enough to play inside? I was under the impression he can play as a pacey extractor
For the roles Broady plays for us and given where those coming thru are at and not to forget We do have likely replacements for him in a period of rebuild. I am asking the question should he play in front of those mentioned.
I hate leaving him out of our best 23, but the back half does have its share of experienced players, the main reason why Nathan would get picked.
Imo its time to give Brown Broads role. We need to develop Trainor out of the back half as our y Grimes type third tall who can play kpd but can be effective as a general defender on smaller types if needed.
This is not a disrespectful go at Broady, its good to have him around the place with so many kids. But i keep asking what is best for us and i think playing both Trainor and Brown in the backhalf is the way to go.
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According to yesterday's HeraldSun:
PREDICTED BEST 23
B: N. Balta J. Gibcus B. Miller
HB: J. Short N. Vlastuin S. Banks
C: L. Trainor J. Ross S. Lalor
HF: T. Hotton S. Lalor J. Faull
F: R. Mansell S. Campbell T. Lynch
R: T. Nankervis T. Taranto J. Hopper
Int: N. Broad T. Brown D. Prestia S. Green S. Cumming
Source: HeraldSun (https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-2026-season-preview-tigers-hoping-to-take-another-step-forward-under-adem-yze/news-story/0776d73c00ec908e864b038d254df478)
The dopes have named Lalor twice :facepalm.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G9tA5wgasAEqtYw?format=png&name=small)
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Terrible team.
Trainor on the wing has already failed.
Lalor on the opposing wing is stupid.
Ross in the centre is poor, he should be spending lots of time in the VFL.
Mansell same as Ross.
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Terrible team.
Trainor on the wing has already failed.
Lalor on the opposing wing is stupid.
Ross in the centre is poor, he should be spending lots of time in the VFL.
Mansell same as Ross.
It would make more sense to swap Banks and Trainor, Ross and Lalor, and add Armstrong at HF. Don't see Shorty playing off HB either. Based on preseason so far, Alger or Maurice would be ahead of Green on the bench.
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Terrible team.
Trainor on the wing has already failed.
Lalor on the opposing wing is stupid.
Ross in the centre is poor, he should be spending lots of time in the VFL.
Mansell same as Ross.
It would make more sense to swap Banks and Trainor, Ross and Lalor, and add Armstrong at HF. Don't see Shorty playing off HB either. Based on preseason so far, Alger or Maurice would be ahead of Green on the bench.
smash like button
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HeraldSun have updated their Best 23 for us by putting Hugo on a wing.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/images/richmond/Best23HeraldSunJan2025.png)
Source: HeraldSun (https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-2026-season-preview-tigers-hoping-to-take-another-step-forward-under-adem-yze/news-story/0776d73c00ec908e864b038d254df478)