Riley Beveridge examines the current struggles at Punt Road and explores potential solutions for the club to reverse its fortunes.
Richmond is currently facing dire circumstances. Despite winning three flags in four years not long ago, the Tigers find themselves in the midst of a significant rebuild. With a record of 1-8 and a percentage of just 65.6, Adem Yze’s team sits second from the bottom after enduring five consecutive losses.
The recent 91-point loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday highlighted the myriad challenges confronting Richmond’s rebuild under Yze. Issues related to form and fitness have brought several prominent concerns to the forefront.
Richmond must rediscover its identity under Yze. In the team’s successful years, dominating possession was not necessarily a hallmark of strong Tiger teams. Instead, Richmond excelled at robust defense, capitalizing on turnovers, and executing effective ball movement. However, the current struggles across the board have compounded the team’s inability to even secure possession of the ball.
According to Champion Data, Richmond currently ranks last in the league in various key metrics, including disposals (-52.8), uncontested possessions (-44), and clearances (-8). They also rank second to last in contested possessions (-9.9) and are among the bottom four for groundballs (-6.8). Presently, there is no statistical area where the Tigers are performing well.
Consequently, the team’s inability to win possession consistently puts them at a disadvantage, especially considering their young roster. Simply put, obtaining more possession of the ball could significantly alleviate the pressure on Yze to inspire better performances from his inexperienced squad.
RECOVERING PLAYERS
Despite Richmond’s disappointing form this season, luck has not been on their side, particularly in terms of injuries. In fact, the Tigers may have just the minimum required 26 players available for selection this weekend due to the extensive list of sidelined players. Key contributors such as Jacob Hopper (hamstring), Tom Lynch (hamstring), and Tim Taranto (wrist) have already missed significant portions of the season. Additionally, veteran premiership players like Liam Baker (leg), Dylan Grimes (soreness), and Jack Graham (hamstring) have been sidelined, along with promising young talents like Judson Clarke (knee), Josh Gibcus (knee), and Jack Ross (foot). Over the weekend, Maurice Rioli Jr. (syndesmosis), Sam Banks (concussion), Seth Campbell (knee), and Tyler Sonsie (wrist) further added to the team’s injury woes. Even in the VFL, players like James Trezise (concussion) and Jacob Koschitzke (ankle) suffered setbacks. Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Noah Balta (knee) have recently returned from their own injury concerns. This extensive list of injuries makes it challenging to assess Richmond’s true form, as it remains uncertain how close they are to fielding their best possible lineup. However, the injury woes undoubtedly exacerbate the team’s existing challenges.
LEVERAGE EXPERIENCE
Richmond’s reliance on young and unproven talent due to list transitions and fitness issues highlights the importance of experienced players stepping up. Notably, Dustin Martin’s decline has been concerning, with his influence on games dropping significantly this season compared to the club’s successful years from 2017 to 2020. Other seasoned players like Jayden Short, Dylan Grimes, and Dion Prestia have also seen declines in their performance metrics. It’s crucial for these veterans to lead by example and elevate their contributions to guide the team through its current challenges.
CONTRACTUAL DECISIONS
Richmond’s future direction hinges heavily on key list decisions to be made at the end of the season. The uncertainty surrounding Dustin Martin’s contract, along with potential interest in players like Liam Baker and Jack Graham from rival clubs, adds complexity to the situation. Balancing the need to bring in quality young talent with retaining experienced players and avoiding overexposing young prospects will be a significant challenge for list manager Blair Hartley. With limited draft picks in recent years, Richmond may need to explore trading options to acquire higher draft picks and rejuvenate its list.
EMBRACE YOUNG TALENT
Richmond’s recent draft history, coupled with trading decisions, has limited the club’s access to top-tier young talent. With only one top-15 draft pick since 2015 and trading out of several drafts, the Tigers face a gap in developing quality young players. This scarcity of elite young talent has affected the depth and quality of Richmond’s emerging players. While some young players have shown promise, there is a clear need for more impactful contributions from the club’s youth. Acquiring early draft picks this year becomes crucial for Richmond’s future success and may require tough decisions regarding the futures of players like Liam Baker, Jack Graham, and Daniel Rioli.
