For years now, Richmond have been the centre of jokes from rival clubs over their recruiting.
Reminding Tiger fans that their club drafted Richard Tambling over Lance Franklin, Aaron Fiora over Matthew Pavlich and Jarrod Okaley-Nicholls over Mitch Clark will give them nightmares. But the Tigers are finally on the right track to success and there is a lot of hope for the future.
In the past the Tigers would go for a skinny type of player, who needs plenty of development (Tambling, Okaley-Nicholls). This clearly didn't work, but since Damian Hardwick has taken over at Tigerland, things are different and the
Reminding Tiger fans that their club drafted Richard Tambling over Lance Franklin, Aaron Fiora over Matthew Pavlich and Jarrod Okaley-Nicholls over Mitch Clark will give them nightmares. But the Tigers are finally on the right track to success and there is a lot of hope for the future.
In the past the Tigers would go for a skinny type of player, who needs plenty of development (Tambling, Okaley-Nicholls). This clearly didn't work, but since Damian Hardwick has taken over at Tigerland, things are different and the
Tigers drafting philosophy is quite clear now. They now draft tough, big bodied players who are ready to compete at AFL level. In the last few years they have brought in Conca, Ellis, Morris, Batchelor and Vlastuin who are all ready to play at senior level from day one. A thing in common with all these players is that they’re great kicks of the footy and that they’re tough and are prepared to put their body on the line for their team, something which Hardwick loves.
The Tigers have filled their needs through the draft and trade period. They have picked up a few defenders (Ellis, Batchelor, Morris), who are good kicks, to replace Deledio down back and free him up into the midfield. This plan worked brilliantly, as Deledio enjoyed his best season yet and won himself All-Australian honours. They have also gone with two tall development players in Liam McBean and Todd Elton, who are both very skinny for their size (202cm and 198cm respectively) and are not expected to play many games at AFL level for a few years. They will both be given time in the gym to bulk up and will learn plenty playing in the VFL. This has been good drafting by the Tigers as they went after what they needed and got it. They needed someone to replace Deledio down back and they need a ruckman in 3-4 years to replace Maric.
The Tigers have addressed the needs of their team through trading as well, going with the money-ball technique. The Tigers won't go splashing cash out at the big fish, but will try to bring in players without giving up much, which they hope will improve their team. In the recent years the Tigers have targeted players based on the needs of their team, gaining Grigg, Houli and Maric (who have all been sensational since moving to Richmond) without giving up much at all.
This year they went after three more players; Troy Chaplin, Chris Knights and Aaron Edwards. The Tigers were in need of another key defender, to take some pressure of Alex Rance and they targeted Chaplin months before free agency started. The Tigers needed another key forward as injuries this year showed they didn't have much depth up forward and many games this year the Tigers kicked inaccurately, costing them crucial games. They went after Edwards as he plays tall for his size and is a very accurate kick for goal. Knights was also needed as he adds to their midfield depth, while he can also roam around half-forward and cause havoc for defenders.
The Tigers have brought in three vital players for virtually nothing and they're a step closer to their September dream. The Tigers are now starting to build some depth at the club, which is the key. Nearly every player on the list will be fighting for a spot in the 22 and this will only motivate every player to try harder and give 100%. The Tigers are in a great position going forward with many young stars in every position. They also have a huge supporter base and Tigers fans have been known to be very loyal. Richmond have had very limited on-field success, but the Tiger fans still stick by their side as they had over 50,000 members this year. Just wait until Richmond become a premiership threat, they could easily bring in 70,000 members.
After many years of failure and broken promises, I finally believe that Richmond is on the right track. They are recruiting well and have taken over from Sydney, as the 'King of recycled players'. They have built a lot of depth and every player on their list are fighting for a spot in the best 22. It's now time for new captain Trent Cotchin to lead the Tigers to success. They have been handed a nice draw for 2013 and finals is a must or questions will be asked. However, I believe 2013 is the year Richmond will turn it around and finally break their finals voodoo.
The Tigers have filled their needs through the draft and trade period. They have picked up a few defenders (Ellis, Batchelor, Morris), who are good kicks, to replace Deledio down back and free him up into the midfield. This plan worked brilliantly, as Deledio enjoyed his best season yet and won himself All-Australian honours. They have also gone with two tall development players in Liam McBean and Todd Elton, who are both very skinny for their size (202cm and 198cm respectively) and are not expected to play many games at AFL level for a few years. They will both be given time in the gym to bulk up and will learn plenty playing in the VFL. This has been good drafting by the Tigers as they went after what they needed and got it. They needed someone to replace Deledio down back and they need a ruckman in 3-4 years to replace Maric.
The Tigers have addressed the needs of their team through trading as well, going with the money-ball technique. The Tigers won't go splashing cash out at the big fish, but will try to bring in players without giving up much, which they hope will improve their team. In the recent years the Tigers have targeted players based on the needs of their team, gaining Grigg, Houli and Maric (who have all been sensational since moving to Richmond) without giving up much at all.
This year they went after three more players; Troy Chaplin, Chris Knights and Aaron Edwards. The Tigers were in need of another key defender, to take some pressure of Alex Rance and they targeted Chaplin months before free agency started. The Tigers needed another key forward as injuries this year showed they didn't have much depth up forward and many games this year the Tigers kicked inaccurately, costing them crucial games. They went after Edwards as he plays tall for his size and is a very accurate kick for goal. Knights was also needed as he adds to their midfield depth, while he can also roam around half-forward and cause havoc for defenders.
The Tigers have brought in three vital players for virtually nothing and they're a step closer to their September dream. The Tigers are now starting to build some depth at the club, which is the key. Nearly every player on the list will be fighting for a spot in the 22 and this will only motivate every player to try harder and give 100%. The Tigers are in a great position going forward with many young stars in every position. They also have a huge supporter base and Tigers fans have been known to be very loyal. Richmond have had very limited on-field success, but the Tiger fans still stick by their side as they had over 50,000 members this year. Just wait until Richmond become a premiership threat, they could easily bring in 70,000 members.
After many years of failure and broken promises, I finally believe that Richmond is on the right track. They are recruiting well and have taken over from Sydney, as the 'King of recycled players'. They have built a lot of depth and every player on their list are fighting for a spot in the best 22. It's now time for new captain Trent Cotchin to lead the Tigers to success. They have been handed a nice draw for 2013 and finals is a must or questions will be asked. However, I believe 2013 is the year Richmond will turn it around and finally break their finals voodoo.