Richmond
Coach – Adem Yze
2025 –
Points For – 18th
Points Against – 15th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
1 – Tim Taranto
2 – Nick Vlastuin
3 – Jacob Hopper
4 – Ben Miller
=5 – Seth Campbell
=5 – Toby Nankervis
2025 Rising Star Noms
Sam Lalor (Rnd 0)
Luke Trainor (Rnd18)
Ins – Sam Cummingm Sam Grlj, Zane Peucker, Patrick Retschko, Noah Roberts-Thomson
Outs – Jacob Bauer, Jacob Blight, Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Jacob Koschitzke, Kamdyn McIntosh
My Prediction
I know we are all supposed to get excited by their rebuild but I still think despite finding some top end talent, there is a way to go. We know from watching GWS and GC start with solid drafts and good young talent that it isn’t a quick fix and the experienced players they have around them are just as important. I think they are genuinely four or five seasons away if they manage things well. If they don’t, they are North Melbourne away.
The backline performed ok last year and that probably comes from the fact that they have Miller, Balta (when not limited by the courts) and Vlastuin getting the job back there. Throw in Broad and Short and the backline itself is still pretty experienced and battle hardened. That being said, the process of bringing in young players will need to start soon.
The midfield is going to be good at some stage. Young players will start to find their feet and be able to perform at higher levels for longer. I think we are all curious as to what Smilie can do, Lalor if his body will allow it will spend more time through the middle. Prestia will prop up the rehab group for the majority of the season. Taranto and Hopper will regret their life choices whilst keeping the midfield relatively competitive.
The forward line is problematic. Lynch is still on the list although he is likely to spend most of his season hanging with Prestia. They did some good things last year at stages but seemed to run more on youthful enthusiasm rather than genuinely good forward line structure. They have a Rioli although not a good one, Lalor will float through. It is pretty uninspiring.
Nankervis is still a good enough ruck. Handy tap work and pretty productive around the ground. Had a reasonable season last year. He isn’t a champion but is certainly a good solid performer. The coach is different, certainly on the side of his players although some criticism that he may not be challenging them enough. I think he looks from the outside like the right man to guide a bunch of kids into AFL football and prepare them for when a more ruthless coach comes in.
Richmond are still a while off. They can bask in the glory of their recent premierships that you would think would buy patience from their fans although a lot of the bandwagon jumpers look to have started jumping off. They are a lock for bottom four this year and more likely bottom two.
