The Look Ahead will be the staple pre-season content piece, setting a tone for all 18 teams. The plan is to use them as a scene setter for team trends and individuals. In other words, don’t expect predictions, expect topics to be introduced – from both a list build and on-field perspective.
If you squint, it’s possible to see the outline of a Richmond side more than respectable in 2024 and finals contenders.
Then if you blink, it’s possible to see a side struggling to eight wins with veterans struggling and youngsters not coming on as planned.
Player contracts
There is very little quantity in Richmond’s long-term contracts, illustrating a club balancing between different eras.
Just seven players contracted for 2026 and beyond is second fewest in the league, behind only Geelong and their four.
It should allow the Tigers to pivot easily in whichever direction they wish, potentially defined by how Adem Yze’s first season unfolds.
List demographics
It’s more than realistic that nine of the 10 players in their age 30 year and above are part of Richmond’s best 22 all year (when healthy).
How keen Richmond are to start transitioning away from a couple of them this year and stage manage farewells will be a bubbling sub plot of 2024.
A new coach normally means a willingness to start fresh, without the emotional attachment of those who experienced such special moments together.
But cutting too quickly risks fracturing locker room harmony. Not treating veterans with the respect they’ve earned can cause significant backlash. It’s a delicate dance.
Create your own Richmond Depth Chart
Changes in personnel
In:
From other clubs: Jacob Koschitzke
National Draft: Liam Fawcett, Kane McAuliffe
Cat B rookie: Oliver Hayes-Brown
Other: Sam Naismith
Out: Kaelan Bradtke, Jason Castagna, Trent Cotchin, Bigoa Nyuon, Jack Riewoldt, Ivan Soldo, Robbie Tarrant
How much will clarity in roles help?
Based on reports – both from the training track and interviews – it comes across like there’s a clear idea for where to deploy players all over the field; the normal discovery period for a new coach not applying as much here.
Martin: midfield. Bolton: forward. Short: back. Balta: forward. The list goes on. Even though I’d personally prefer Balta to be back, the logic for playing as a key forward – especially while Lynch remains out – makes sense, and that’s all you can ask for.
And that should help players hit the ground running from Round 1. Apologies, Round 0. Sorry, Opening Round.
Especially while younger players look to find their feet at AFL level, stability around them is vital. For those under 20 and 30 games, their task is immeasurably easier knowing exactly where the veterans will be.
The one question is how long the clarity in roles will last, with question marks over the midfield and how that influences the rest of the team…
Will their best midfield structure stick?
Reports and media interviews have suggested the greatest area of tweaks will be the midfield, as Yze looks to best structure up a unit where Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, and Martin loom as the core four.
While it’s not the most dynamic unit of all time, it should lack for nothing when it comes to ball-winning, and that’ll be the biggest departure from recent Richmond sides.
The key is how the midfield structures up to best compete with and without the ball. Comparing Richmond to Carlton might draw the ire of some, but there could be parallels to take from how the Blues, also without the most dynamic midfield, are a stoppage force – levels above everyone else in the second half of 2023.
As much as it’s sacrilege to talk ill of Martin, will his body hold up to full-time midfield minutes as he ticks past 300 games and 33 years of age? (my Supercoach side hopes so, but I digress). Could it be a case where he almost plays 50-50 with Bolton, the two rotating in a straight forward-midfield switch?
Minutes for Thomson Dow will surely be a priority at some stage as well; the 22-year-old reportedly in the middle of an impressive pre-season but only with 17 AFL games to his name through four seasons and one of the lengthy crew out of contract this year.
There’s clear competition for spots though, which should help establish a pecking order sooner rather than later.
What is success for Richmond in 2024?
Threading the needle to be more than respectable on-field while finding minutes for the younger generation is the best long-term result for Richmond this year.
While the short-term will be incredibly fun if they get to 14 wins carried by Martin, Lynch (if fit), Prestia and co, if the youth doesn’t come along for the ride it’s ultimately just a sugar hit.
But an 10 to 12 win campaign featuring key minutes for players like Banks, Sonsie, McAuliffe, and most importantly a full season for Josh Gibcus – that’s a much better indicator of a successful year.