Fight for 2014 flag?GARY LYON
25 Jun, 2011 WHILE today's game between Richmond and Melbourne, rightfully, assumes massive importance in the context of this season's race to the finals, the bigger, more important question that needs to be debated is which of these two promising, on the rise outfits is closest to genuinely challenging for that elusive premiership.
For the Tigers, September action has been a largely foreign concept. Two finals campaigns in 28 years has been an indictment on a proud football club that had delivered five premierships to their army of supporters in a glorious 14-year stretch between 1967 and 1980.
The Demons have not been much better. Granted, they have been reasonably successful in finding their way to the serious end of the year, having participated in 12 finals series in the past 24 years, including two grand finals, but their premiership drought extends to 1964. For a team that celebrated six premierships in 10 years under Norm Smith, from 1955 to 1964, coming up 50 years since their last flag is enormously disappointing.
So it is little wonder that Richmond versus Melbourne on a Saturday afternoon at the MCG, with each team well placed to once again become a genuine contender, has generated such enormous interest and expectation.
But while finals are very much in the frame for both teams, a legitimate tilt at a premiership would still appear to be a couple of years off. So, using 2014 as the year where the lists of these two young teams are best placed to make the move from ''potential'' to ''challenger'', who is ahead in the race right now?
DEFENCEThe Demons' back six, on what we have seen, appears a little stronger. James Frawley has an All-Australian to his name, Jared Rivers has recaptured his NAB Rising Star form, Jack Grimes is a potential club captain and Luke Tapscott shapes as a 150-200-game player.
For Richmond, Dylan Grimes took some giant steps forward before his hamstring injury, Alex Rance has resurrected his career and Reece Conca is every bit as promising as Tapscott. Chris Newman is a beauty, but will be 32 by then. Bachar Houli can be expected to continue to improve.
Verdict: Melbourne, just.
MIDFIELDThis is the area where both clubs are beautifully placed. Richmond's Brett Deledio (pick 1), Trent Cotchin (pick 3) and Dustin Martin (pick 3) form the nucleus of the most potentially devastating midfield in the competition. The flexibility and versatility of all three players is something to behold, with each of them capable of hitting the scoreboard and Deledio having proved he can be an elite rebounding defender.
Shaun Grigg is a prolific ball winner, Nathan Foley a best-and-fairest winner, and Robin Nahas, Daniel Jackson and Matt White provide impressive depth.
Demons Tom Scully (pick 1) and Jack Trengove (pick 2) have left no one in any doubt they will be in the elite bracket of midfielders within 12 months. Jordie McKenzie is rated enormously highly at Melbourne, Jordan Gysberts continues to find the football and there are big expectations for young Sam Blease.
Brent Moloney and Colin Sylvia will both be pushing 30 and their best footy may be behind them but, if their bodies stand up, they will continue to be important contributors. Jack Viney, the father-son selection courtesy of former great Todd, gives every indication he will be an outstanding replacement for both, as a ferocious, inside competitor.
Verdict: Richmond, just.
RUCKSMax Gawn is being groomed to take the role from Mark Jamar at Melbourne and, in a couple of years, should be the legitimate No. 1 man. Jamar provides plenty as a ''power forward'' and, given the rate of development of Stefan Martin, he could be anything.
I love the heart and work ethic of big Tiger Andrew Browne and Tyrone Vickery may be the most improved player in the competition. Vickery, however, may be more ''forward'' than ruck.
Verdict: Melbourne.
FORWARDSTiger Jack Riewoldt is the standout in both teams. For Melbourne, Jack Watts, Liam Jurrah and Jamar look capable on paper, but as yet haven't got the score on the board, while there is plenty to like about Jeremy Howe and Lucas Cook.
A genuine, small crumbing forward is a priority in the coming drafts. If Vickery spends more time forward then Richmond is well served in the key posts.
Ben Griffiths and Jayden Post have shown glimpses, and certainly have the right frames and athleticism and there is genuine hope that in a couple of years they will settle in key positions, whether back or forward.
King provides defensive pressure and ''grunt'' in the small forward role, so important in the modern game.
Verdict: Richmond.
DEPTH/TRADEABILITYMelbourne will monitor closely the performance of Aaron Davey, Nathan Jones, Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Addam Maric, Matthew Warnock, Matthew Bate, Jack Fitzpatrick, Neville Jetta, Rohan Bail and Clint Bartram.
Richmond has David Astbury, Daniel Connors, David Goudis, Luke McGuane, Mitch Farmer, Ben Nason, Mitch Morton, Jeromey Webberley, Tom Hislop and Matt Dea.
Verdict: Melbourne.
CONCLUSIONT he unknown, of course, is how well the teams perform at the three national drafts before the 2014 season begins, once again underscoring the enormous importance that recruiters assume within a club structure.
Granted, I may be more familiar with the Melbourne list, but having spent considerable time on this exercise I believe that the Demons are ahead in the race for that next elusive premiership.
Richmond's three elite midfielders - Cotchin, Martin and Deledio - along with Riewoldt, its Coleman Medal full-forward, puts it ahead in the ''elite'' stakes, but the Melbourne depth, going forward, gets them the points.
With 14 first-round picks at Melbourne, as opposed to six at Richmond, it suggests the potential for significant improvement is in favour of the Demons, although picks don't necessarily translate to results.
There may also be more currency in the Melbourne list at the draft table if the Demons decide to get aggressive in coming years, with Greater Western Sydney looking to build its list.
The good news is that both clubs have once again become relevant in the competition, and while it may be a long shot, another Saturday meeting between these two teams on a sunny afternoon at the MCG on the final weekend of the 2014 season would be a dream come true for their long-suffering, but faithful supporters.
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