Review 2025 Mid Season Review

[_RT_]

Richmond enters the mid season bye with a 3-10 record with wins coming against Carlton (R1) Suns (R6) & WCE (R9), we could have 5 wins to our name had we been able to hold on against North (R10) & Giants (R12). There have also been some poor losses along the way with 10+ goal hidings from Port (R2) Saints (R3) & Hawks (R8), while the last game against the Swans felt like another 10 goal belting given how poorly we played. All of this just goes to show how inconsistent a rebuilding side can be from 1 week to the next.

Looking at our wins the question needs to be asked which was our best win for the season and it comes down to the Carlton game in R1 or the Suns win. For mine the Blues win is the best one we've had this year. To get jumped by them and be staring down the barrel of a big loss to start the season the way we dug in and ground away to get the 4 points. The Suns win was also a very good performance given it was a different type of performance where we were the ones to get out to a lead and were forced to hold on as the Suns charged home as we hit the wall in the last.

As far as the players are concerned I'd like to suggest that our top 5 players this year are Miller Nankervis Taranto Hopper & Vlastuin in no particular order. Miller has been a rock down back as our main KPD while Balta dealt with his off field issues. He had a streak just recently where he conceded only 2 goals against some very good opponents which further highlighted how we he is playing this year in a back line that has been under siege more often than not this year. Alongside him Vlastuin has also performed strongly, providing leadership and composure down back as the elder statesman of our back line. In the middle Nankervis Taranto & Hopper have led the way and while there are some valid criticisms of Hopper & Taranto in particular, their consistency week to week has been important especially in our wins/close losses.

Next up we've got the young players who have started to prove themselves as possible long term options for us, with the likes of Banks Ralphsmith Dow McAuliffe Brown Campbell Trezise & Smith have all shown glimpses that they could be part of the next Richmond side to be in the mix for finals/premiership. We have also seen plenty from our 2024 draftees in Lalor Faull Sims Trainor Armstrong Blight & Gray, while we await the debuts of Smillie Hotton & Alger in the 2nd half of the year. There is plenty to look forward to as we head into the 2nd half of the 2025 season.

With that though comes the question of how many wins can we get to end the 2025 season. IMO we'll do well to win 2 more games as we have a fairly tough 2nd half of the season. We play top 8 side in Geelong x 2 Dogs Pies Crows & Suns with Dons Eagles(away) North(Tassie) & Saints (MCG) to round out the fixture. The Eagles pushed us all the way in Melbourne and will be looking at getting the win on their home deck, North won't be easy down in Tasmania, while who knows which Essendon/Saints sides show up any given week. They are the 4 games I give us a chance of winning, while the games against top 8 contenders will be tough especially as we get closer to the finals and those teams are more desperate to win.

Moving on to the head coach Adem Yze

Adem Yze

Age

48

Ht

187cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

14.4

5star

HB

3.8

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

5.2

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

1.8

2star

M

0.6

1star

T

0.6

3star

. IMO he has done a good job so far this season all things considered and if it was up to me, I'd have no issue in signing an extension for another 2 seasons. Sends a message to the group that the club believes in what Yze is doing, sends a message to prospective trade/free agent targets that we're all in on this rebuild and that they will have assurances that if they came to us they know what they're signing up for. There is a real method and plan in what Yze and co are doing as coaches. There is a consistency in how the team is selected/structured up, there aren't major changes to the game plan from week to week, sometimes it comes off and we get performances that have us all excited by what we've seen, then there are the performances that leave us frustrated. But it's clear that we're trying to get the defensive side of things locked down before we worry too much about the offensive side of things.

Finally there is the off season approach, many have us in the mix to land Harley Reid should he decide to move from the Eagles. Reading & listening to the media it would appear that it is less likely to happen as it seems that he is looking at at least honoring his contract until the end of next year. Now there are some posters who are strong with their information that he is heavily considering a move this year and that we're in the mix. Personally I hope we stick with hitting the draft, but will back the club with what they decide should Harley want to head to Punt Road. As far as the draft is concerned we currently hold picks 2 & 3(thanks North) which puts us in another strong position to bring top quality talent in and continue the rebuild, while we also have father son Louis Kellaway in the mix with a later pick who looks like being a solid pick up at least.

End of season prediction: 4 wins - 19 losses 17th position

 

[Cdog71]

A rebuild is a hard watch at times but there’s been some moments that’s got me up and about.
Seth Cambpell leading the goalkicking probably GA’s as well, the Rnd 1 win after being 7 goals down, seen Brown float fwd and score and be a threat, the way Simms jumps at the ball and I like it that Yze is up in the box and the players are having to work things out together.
With the around the boundary line build up and so much of our game built on effort and scrambling into position behind the ball it looks like a few players have lost the edge on their legs by the start of the fourth and we can’t finish strongly.
I’d like to see us go for the win from the get go a few more times like the GC game or try for more earlier in games to see a bit more flair to lift the teams energy levels a bit.
We’re starting to look like we are getting run into the ground.

I know Blight and Gray were/are looking good but we aren’t going to drop Broad or Vlaustin and neither of them are better than Miller or what Balta offers when he gets outve third gear.

I’d also like to see Brown outve D50 and as a hit up on the flank to look for more 45 passes into the corridor.
No one is kicking into the corridor for us and it’s probably a coach directive but after watching us all season no club is probably going to expect it.

 

[Truetiger]

A rebuild might be hard to watch, as it was when Dimma took over, but that’s what makes the successful times so much more worthwhile. You can take the small positives, like the improvement in Brown and Banks, and see signs from the first-year players in Lalor and Trainor and Grey for example. Taking the expectation of winning out of it makes it easier to endure. It was never about wins and losses; it was more about development and improvement, which I believe we’ve had.

 

[prodigy1311]

Win loss aside, it was good to see kids get some exposure. Looking at the draw, i don't think we win another game!. Will be good to see the reaming of our youth get some game time and exposure.
smillie, hotton, lalor, alger, lafau, trainor, gibcus, faul, they all should be playing as many games as possible

 

[LTT]

Richmond enters the mid season bye with a 3-10 record with wins coming against Carlton (R1) Suns (R6) & WCE (R9), we could have 5 wins to our name had we been able to hold on against North (R10) & Giants (R12). There have also been some poor losses along the way with 10+ goal hidings from Port (R2) Saints (R3) & Hawks (R8), while the last game against the Swans felt like another 10 goal belting given how poorly we played. All of this just goes to show how inconsistent a rebuilding side can be from 1 week to the next.

Looking at our wins the question needs to be asked which was our best win for the season and it comes down to the Carlton game in R1 or the Suns win. For mine the Blues win is the best one we've had this year. To get jumped by them and be staring down the barrel of a big loss to start the season the way we dug in and ground away to get the 4 points. The Suns win was also a very good performance given it was a different type of performance where we were the ones to get out to a lead and were forced to hold on as the Suns charged home as we hit the wall in the last.

As far as the players are concerned I'd like to suggest that our top 5 players this year are Miller Nankervis Taranto Hopper & Vlastuin in no particular order. Miller has been a rock down back as our main KPD while Balta dealt with his off field issues. He had a streak just recently where he conceded only 2 goals against some very good opponents which further highlighted how we he is playing this year in a back line that has been under siege more often than not this year. Alongside him Vlastuin has also performed strongly, providing leadership and composure down back as the elder statesman of our back line. In the middle Nankervis Taranto & Hopper have led the way and while there are some valid criticisms of Hopper & Taranto in particular, their consistency week to week has been important especially in our wins/close losses.

Next up we've got the young players who have started to prove themselves as possible long term options for us, with the likes of Banks Ralphsmith Dow McAuliffe Brown Campbell Trezise & Smith have all shown glimpses that they could be part of the next Richmond side to be in the mix for finals/premiership. We have also seen plenty from our 2024 draftees in Lalor Faull Sims Trainor Armstrong Blight & Gray, while we await the debuts of Smillie Hotton & Alger in the 2nd half of the year. There is plenty to look forward to as we head into the 2nd half of the 2025 season.

With that though comes the question of how many wins can we get to end the 2025 season. IMO we'll do well to win 2 more games as we have a fairly tough 2nd half of the season. We play top 8 side in Geelong x 2 Dogs Pies Crows & Suns with Dons Eagles(away) North(Tassie) & Saints (MCG) to round out the fixture. The Eagles pushed us all the way in Melbourne and will be looking at getting the win on their home deck, North won't be easy down in Tasmania, while who knows which Essendon/Saints sides show up any given week. They are the 4 games I give us a chance of winning, while the games against top 8 contenders will be tough especially as we get closer to the finals and those teams are more desperate to win.

Moving on to the head coach Adem Yze. IMO he has done a good job so far this season all things considered and if it was up to me, I'd have no issue in signing an extension for another 2 seasons. Sends a message to the group that the club believes in what Yze is doing, sends a message to prospective trade/free agent targets that we're all in on this rebuild and that they will have assurances that if they came to us they know what they're signing up for. There is a real method and plan in what Yze and co are doing as coaches. There is a consistency in how the team is selected/structured up, there aren't major changes to the game plan from week to week, sometimes it comes off and we get performances that have us all excited by what we've seen, then there are the performances that leave us frustrated. But it's clear that we're trying to get the defensive side of things locked down before we worry too much about the offensive side of things.

Finally there is the off season approach, many have us in the mix to land Harley Reid should he decide to move from the Eagles. Reading & listening to the media it would appear that it is less likely to happen as it seems that he is looking at at least honoring his contract until the end of next year. Now there are some posters who are strong with their information that he is heavily considering a move this year and that we're in the mix. Personally I hope we stick with hitting the draft, but will back the club with what they decide should Harley want to head to Punt Road. As far as the draft is concerned we currently hold picks 2 & 3(thanks North) which puts us in another strong position to bring top quality talent in and continue the rebuild, while we also have father son Louis Kellaway in the mix with a later pick who looks like being a solid pick up at least.

End of season prediction: 4 wins - 19 losses 17th position

Cannot agree with you on Taranto and Hopper. I have said this before, but our midfield has been ordinary at best all year and when we have been thrashed it has been non-existent. The clearance numbers are ok, but that statistic does not measure the quality of the first possession. Many of the clearances are hack kicks that are not to Richmond player's advantage. Provided the hack kick does not go directly to an opponent or out of bounds it is considered an effective disposal. Even by this favourable measure, Taranto and Hopper and MacIntosh have low disposal efficiency. This is our most experienced group. We cannot blame inexperience. In fact, the opposite is true, so next year, it will not suddenly get better with experience.

 

[Bojangles17]

The good news is that ea of the newbs we have introduced have shown genuine signs that they could become very good senior players
Trainor prob leads the pack in terms of development but still a way to go in playing more composed and adding strength
I really hope that we are working extra close on our talls to improve their goal kicking routine , worked with nick Watson same time ly

Speed and class on the outside is an obvious gap , will Hotton or Alger be a solution, hope so

How many of our experienced heads go around again , let's not decide that now , big lynch ebbs and flows , has been terrible last fortnight

Hope we can add another couple a wins , I think we will and in effectively ooze first year with this group that won't be too bad

 

[Vassp]

Richmond enters the mid season bye with a 3-10 record with wins coming against Carlton (R1) Suns (R6) & WCE (R9), we could have 5 wins to our name had we been able to hold on against North (R10) & Giants (R12). There have also been some poor losses along the way with 10+ goal hidings from Port (R2) Saints (R3) & Hawks (R8), while the last game against the Swans felt like another 10 goal belting given how poorly we played. All of this just goes to show how inconsistent a rebuilding side can be from 1 week to the next.

Looking at our wins the question needs to be asked which was our best win for the season and it comes down to the Carlton game in R1 or the Suns win. For mine the Blues win is the best one we've had this year. To get jumped by them and be staring down the barrel of a big loss to start the season the way we dug in and ground away to get the 4 points. The Suns win was also a very good performance given it was a different type of performance where we were the ones to get out to a lead and were forced to hold on as the Suns charged home as we hit the wall in the last.

As far as the players are concerned I'd like to suggest that our top 5 players this year are Miller Nankervis Taranto Hopper & Vlastuin in no particular order. Miller has been a rock down back as our main KPD while Balta dealt with his off field issues. He had a streak just recently where he conceded only 2 goals against some very good opponents which further highlighted how we he is playing this year in a back line that has been under siege more often than not this year. Alongside him Vlastuin has also performed strongly, providing leadership and composure down back as the elder statesman of our back line. In the middle Nankervis Taranto & Hopper have led the way and while there are some valid criticisms of Hopper & Taranto in particular, their consistency week to week has been important especially in our wins/close losses.

Next up we've got the young players who have started to prove themselves as possible long term options for us, with the likes of Banks Ralphsmith Dow McAuliffe Brown Campbell Trezise & Smith have all shown glimpses that they could be part of the next Richmond side to be in the mix for finals/premiership. We have also seen plenty from our 2024 draftees in Lalor Faull Sims Trainor Armstrong Blight & Gray, while we await the debuts of Smillie Hotton & Alger in the 2nd half of the year. There is plenty to look forward to as we head into the 2nd half of the 2025 season.

With that though comes the question of how many wins can we get to end the 2025 season. IMO we'll do well to win 2 more games as we have a fairly tough 2nd half of the season. We play top 8 side in Geelong x 2 Dogs Pies Crows & Suns with Dons Eagles(away) North(Tassie) & Saints (MCG) to round out the fixture. The Eagles pushed us all the way in Melbourne and will be looking at getting the win on their home deck, North won't be easy down in Tasmania, while who knows which Essendon/Saints sides show up any given week. They are the 4 games I give us a chance of winning, while the games against top 8 contenders will be tough especially as we get closer to the finals and those teams are more desperate to win.

Moving on to the head coach Adem Yze. IMO he has done a good job so far this season all things considered and if it was up to me, I'd have no issue in signing an extension for another 2 seasons. Sends a message to the group that the club believes in what Yze is doing, sends a message to prospective trade/free agent targets that we're all in on this rebuild and that they will have assurances that if they came to us they know what they're signing up for. There is a real method and plan in what Yze and co are doing as coaches. There is a consistency in how the team is selected/structured up, there aren't major changes to the game plan from week to week, sometimes it comes off and we get performances that have us all excited by what we've seen, then there are the performances that leave us frustrated. But it's clear that we're trying to get the defensive side of things locked down before we worry too much about the offensive side of things.

Finally there is the off season approach, many have us in the mix to land Harley Reid should he decide to move from the Eagles. Reading & listening to the media it would appear that it is less likely to happen as it seems that he is looking at at least honoring his contract until the end of next year. Now there are some posters who are strong with their information that he is heavily considering a move this year and that we're in the mix. Personally I hope we stick with hitting the draft, but will back the club with what they decide should Harley want to head to Punt Road. As far as the draft is concerned we currently hold picks 2 & 3(thanks North) which puts us in another strong position to bring top quality talent in and continue the rebuild, while we also have father son Louis Kellaway in the mix with a later pick who looks like being a solid pick up at least.

End of season prediction: 4 wins - 19 losses 17th position

Richmond enters the mid season bye with a 3-10 record with wins coming against Carlton (R1) Suns (R6) & WCE (R9), we could have 5 wins to our name had we been able to hold on against North (R10) & Giants (R12). There have also been some poor losses along the way with 10+ goal hidings from Port (R2) Saints (R3) & Hawks (R8), while the last game against the Swans felt like another 10 goal belting given how poorly we played. All of this just goes to show how inconsistent a rebuilding side can be from 1 week to the next.

Looking at our wins the question needs to be asked which was our best win for the season and it comes down to the Carlton game in R1 or the Suns win. For mine the Blues win is the best one we've had this year. To get jumped by them and be staring down the barrel of a big loss to start the season the way we dug in and ground away to get the 4 points. The Suns win was also a very good performance given it was a different type of performance where we were the ones to get out to a lead and were forced to hold on as the Suns charged home as we hit the wall in the last.

As far as the players are concerned I'd like to suggest that our top 5 players this year are Miller Nankervis Taranto Hopper & Vlastuin in no particular order. Miller has been a rock down back as our main KPD while Balta dealt with his off field issues. He had a streak just recently where he conceded only 2 goals against some very good opponents which further highlighted how we he is playing this year in a back line that has been under siege more often than not this year. Alongside him Vlastuin has also performed strongly, providing leadership and composure down back as the elder statesman of our back line. In the middle Nankervis Taranto & Hopper have led the way and while there are some valid criticisms of Hopper & Taranto in particular, their consistency week to week has been important especially in our wins/close losses.

Next up we've got the young players who have started to prove themselves as possible long term options for us, with the likes of Banks Ralphsmith Dow McAuliffe Brown Campbell Trezise & Smith have all shown glimpses that they could be part of the next Richmond side to be in the mix for finals/premiership. We have also seen plenty from our 2024 draftees in Lalor Faull Sims Trainor Armstrong Blight & Gray, while we await the debuts of Smillie Hotton & Alger in the 2nd half of the year. There is plenty to look forward to as we head into the 2nd half of the 2025 season.

With that though comes the question of how many wins can we get to end the 2025 season. IMO we'll do well to win 2 more games as we have a fairly tough 2nd half of the season. We play top 8 side in Geelong x 2 Dogs Pies Crows & Suns with Dons Eagles(away) North(Tassie) & Saints (MCG) to round out the fixture. The Eagles pushed us all the way in Melbourne and will be looking at getting the win on their home deck, North won't be easy down in Tasmania, while who knows which Essendon/Saints sides show up any given week. They are the 4 games I give us a chance of winning, while the games against top 8 contenders will be tough especially as we get closer to the finals and those teams are more desperate to win.

Moving on to the head coach Adem Yze. IMO he has done a good job so far this season all things considered and if it was up to me, I'd have no issue in signing an extension for another 2 seasons. Sends a message to the group that the club believes in what Yze is doing, sends a message to prospective trade/free agent targets that we're all in on this rebuild and that they will have assurances that if they came to us they know what they're signing up for. There is a real method and plan in what Yze and co are doing as coaches. There is a consistency in how the team is selected/structured up, there aren't major changes to the game plan from week to week, sometimes it comes off and we get performances that have us all excited by what we've seen, then there are the performances that leave us frustrated. But it's clear that we're trying to get the defensive side of things locked down before we worry too much about the offensive side of things.

Finally there is the off season approach, many have us in the mix to land Harley Reid should he decide to move from the Eagles. Reading & listening to the media it would appear that it is less likely to happen as it seems that he is looking at at least honoring his contract until the end of next year. Now there are some posters who are strong with their information that he is heavily considering a move this year and that we're in the mix. Personally I hope we stick with hitting the draft, but will back the club with what they decide should Harley want to head to Punt Road. As far as the draft is concerned we currently hold picks 2 & 3(thanks North) which puts us in another strong position to bring top quality talent in and continue the rebuild, while we also have father son Louis Kellaway in the mix with a later pick who looks like being a solid pick up at least.

End of season prediction: 4 wins - 19 losses 17th position

seth, brown, vlastuin, nank and miller should be in our top 5 in respect to their position and suited to position.

Our midfield and forward line is our biggest weakness.

Yze and team done ok, considering the holes we have and the players we have to work with, the coaching team have not been great to be fair.

Three years from now we will be much better.

 

[Bojangles17]

Cannot agree with you on Taranto and Hopper. I have said this before, but our midfield has been ordinary at best all year and when we have been thrashed it has been non-existent. The clearance numbers are ok, but that statistic does not measure the quality of the first possession. Many of the clearances are hack kicks that are not to Richmond player's advantage. Provided the hack kick does not go directly to an opponent or out of bounds it is considered an effective disposal. Even by this favourable measure, Taranto and Hopper and MacIntosh have low disposal efficiency. This is our most experienced group. We cannot blame inexperience. In fact, the opposite is true, so next year, it will not suddenly get better with experience.

Both TT and hopper provide cover while we have kids develop and grow into an impacting role

Without then we'd lose by 15g a week and draftees would flee after contract expires especially interstate ones , it's a journey working toward establishing a winning lineup , these two blokes are a bridge . It's a nonsense to think we'd be better without them , we'd be fundamentally fkd

 

[Vassp]

Cannot agree with you on Taranto and Hopper. I have said this before, but our midfield has been ordinary at best all year and when we have been thrashed it has been non-existent. The clearance numbers are ok, but that statistic does not measure the quality of the first possession. Many of the clearances are hack kicks that are not to Richmond player's advantage. Provided the hack kick does not go directly to an opponent or out of bounds it is considered an effective disposal. Even by this favourable measure, Taranto and Hopper and MacIntosh have low disposal efficiency. This is our most experienced group. We cannot blame inexperience. In fact, the opposite is true, so next year, it will not suddenly get better with experience.

That how i see it as well, pretty easy to watch the game instead of relying on useless stats to judge ones performance.

The proof is in the pudding.

 

[Coach_Required]

Lord of the Wings

Eagerly awaiting your mid-season review.

 

[Forensi Tiger]

Cannot agree with you on Taranto and Hopper. I have said this before, but our midfield has been ordinary at best all year and when we have been thrashed it has been non-existent. The clearance numbers are ok, but that statistic does not measure the quality of the first possession. Many of the clearances are hack kicks that are not to Richmond player's advantage. Provided the hack kick does not go directly to an opponent or out of bounds it is considered an effective disposal. Even by this favourable measure, Taranto and Hopper and MacIntosh have low disposal efficiency. This is our most experienced group. We cannot blame inexperience. In fact, the opposite is true, so next year, it will not suddenly get better with experience.

Yes I agree. If you look at Taranto and Hopper compared to the rest of our team (many of whom are young players) you would say they are better. But in comparison to midfielders in the rest of the comp I would say they are not great and average at best individually and collectively.

They certainly can’t be the core of a premiership midfield.

I think you could say the same for Nank. One of our better players but in terms of ruck work and general play is in the bottom half of rucks in competition. He makes up for it with leadership and aggression which we really need but his performances arguably look better compared to the rest of the team.

 

[JohnnyTiger]

Yes I agree. If you look at Taranto and Hopper compared to the rest of our team (many of whom are young players) you would say they are better. But in comparison to midfielders in the rest of the comp I would say they are not great and average at best individually and collectively.

They certainly can’t be the core of a premiership midfield.

I think you could say the same for Nank. One of our better players but in terms of ruck work and general play is in the bottom half of rucks in competition. He makes up for it with leadership and aggression which we really need but his performances arguably look better compared to the rest of the team.

Taranto,Hopper,and Kmac are not anyone's idea of our next premiership A grade midfield. Our young players would get killed playing that role this year, no way they handle the physicality, and grind. Most of them have already broken down, and they are not even playing in the guts. Hopefully in 18 months time Taranto is playing half forward, Hopper half back, Kmac is enjoying a well earned beer on a beach in W.A and our midfield consists of a fit and healthy Smillie, Lalor, Reid, Hotton, Gilj. If simms ends up a ruckman, great if not get a ruckman, but for now they are very much needed, and we would be stuffed without them.

 

[_RT_]

Cannot agree with you on Taranto and Hopper. I have said this before, but our midfield has been ordinary at best all year and when we have been thrashed it has been non-existent. The clearance numbers are ok, but that statistic does not measure the quality of the first possession. Many of the clearances are hack kicks that are not to Richmond player's advantage. Provided the hack kick does not go directly to an opponent or out of bounds it is considered an effective disposal. Even by this favourable measure, Taranto and Hopper and MacIntosh have low disposal efficiency. This is our most experienced group. We cannot blame inexperience. In fact, the opposite is true, so next year, it will not suddenly get better with experience.

When you compared our midfield this year to how it was last year when we had Dow leading the way while Taranto Hopper & Prestia swapped stories in the rehab group, it has been an improved performance. Has it been at the level we'd like it to be, not really, but again we haven't had the set up/structure anywhere near our ideal line up. In fact it won't be anywhere near that line up until 2026 the way things are going, with Smillie & Hotton unlikely to spend any/much time in the middle if they get their chance later this year to debut, while Lalor will also likely still be on limited minutes as well. So I don't disagree with what you're saying in fact I respect it.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Richmond enters the mid season bye with a 3-10 record with wins coming against Carlton (R1) Suns (R6) & WCE (R9), we could have 5 wins to our name had we been able to hold on against North (R10) & Giants (R12). There have also been some poor losses along the way with 10+ goal hidings from Port (R2) Saints (R3) & Hawks (R8), while the last game against the Swans felt like another 10 goal belting given how poorly we played. All of this just goes to show how inconsistent a rebuilding side can be from 1 week to the next.

Looking at our wins the question needs to be asked which was our best win for the season and it comes down to the Carlton game in R1 or the Suns win. For mine the Blues win is the best one we've had this year. To get jumped by them and be staring down the barrel of a big loss to start the season the way we dug in and ground away to get the 4 points. The Suns win was also a very good performance given it was a different type of performance where we were the ones to get out to a lead and were forced to hold on as the Suns charged home as we hit the wall in the last.

As far as the players are concerned I'd like to suggest that our top 5 players this year are Miller Nankervis Taranto Hopper & Vlastuin in no particular order. Miller has been a rock down back as our main KPD while Balta dealt with his off field issues. He had a streak just recently where he conceded only 2 goals against some very good opponents which further highlighted how we he is playing this year in a back line that has been under siege more often than not this year. Alongside him Vlastuin has also performed strongly, providing leadership and composure down back as the elder statesman of our back line. In the middle Nankervis Taranto & Hopper have led the way and while there are some valid criticisms of Hopper & Taranto in particular, their consistency week to week has been important especially in our wins/close losses.

Next up we've got the young players who have started to prove themselves as possible long term options for us, with the likes of Banks Ralphsmith Dow McAuliffe Brown Campbell Trezise & Smith have all shown glimpses that they could be part of the next Richmond side to be in the mix for finals/premiership. We have also seen plenty from our 2024 draftees in Lalor Faull Sims Trainor Armstrong Blight & Gray, while we await the debuts of Smillie Hotton & Alger in the 2nd half of the year. There is plenty to look forward to as we head into the 2nd half of the 2025 season.

With that though comes the question of how many wins can we get to end the 2025 season. IMO we'll do well to win 2 more games as we have a fairly tough 2nd half of the season. We play top 8 side in Geelong x 2 Dogs Pies Crows & Suns with Dons Eagles(away) North(Tassie) & Saints (MCG) to round out the fixture. The Eagles pushed us all the way in Melbourne and will be looking at getting the win on their home deck, North won't be easy down in Tasmania, while who knows which Essendon/Saints sides show up any given week. They are the 4 games I give us a chance of winning, while the games against top 8 contenders will be tough especially as we get closer to the finals and those teams are more desperate to win.

Moving on to the head coach Adem Yze. IMO he has done a good job so far this season all things considered and if it was up to me, I'd have no issue in signing an extension for another 2 seasons. Sends a message to the group that the club believes in what Yze is doing, sends a message to prospective trade/free agent targets that we're all in on this rebuild and that they will have assurances that if they came to us they know what they're signing up for. There is a real method and plan in what Yze and co are doing as coaches. There is a consistency in how the team is selected/structured up, there aren't major changes to the game plan from week to week, sometimes it comes off and we get performances that have us all excited by what we've seen, then there are the performances that leave us frustrated. But it's clear that we're trying to get the defensive side of things locked down before we worry too much about the offensive side of things.

Finally there is the off season approach, many have us in the mix to land Harley Reid should he decide to move from the Eagles. Reading & listening to the media it would appear that it is less likely to happen as it seems that he is looking at at least honoring his contract until the end of next year. Now there are some posters who are strong with their information that he is heavily considering a move this year and that we're in the mix. Personally I hope we stick with hitting the draft, but will back the club with what they decide should Harley want to head to Punt Road. As far as the draft is concerned we currently hold picks 2 & 3(thanks North) which puts us in another strong position to bring top quality talent in and continue the rebuild, while we also have father son Louis Kellaway in the mix with a later pick who looks like being a solid pick up at least.

End of season prediction: 4 wins - 19 losses 17th position

Good review.

I like how we are going. We've shown we are competitive with most teams, but can't run games out. Put on the 3 years from now goggles and things look nice. We should have a lot more ammunition in the midfield - speed and skill. KPs should be better, especially KPFs. We obviously have the core of a good team. Add in players around those we already have and we could suddenly jump in performance as our care gets mature.

We are playing the kids, but protecting them via our older players, who are also providing leadership and mentoring. Lovely look for a rebuild. We need TT and Hopper, and hopefully Meatball to protect the kids for the next 2 to 3 years. That they are grind it out inside mids is good. Those are the positions where you get physically smashed. Sometimes it si ugly. But also you can see the future, and then I have to wear shades.

 

[Cdog71]

In fact it won't be anywhere near that line up until 2026 the way things are going, with Smillie & Hotton unlikely to spend any/much time in the middle if they get their chance later this year to debut,

This is the next real decision that will show us whether we are bold and are trying to accelerate the rebuild or if Yze goes conservatively.
If the offer is there and Taranto is interested we should make it happen.
I’d rather keep Hopper but if either can move on happily I believe we should do it.
It’s not about Reid, I’m not convinced we need him but not completely against the idea.

North won 3 games last year and have won 3 and a draw so far this year. Might win two more.
But they’re trying to win on talent, midfield and fwd.
We aren’t trying to win on talent we’re trying to win on repeat fwd entries and pressure effort and you can see we haven’t got the legs to run out games.
Last year was a nothing year because of injuries and our best talent had checked out.
I hope we see some more good moments this year but I really hope we look to outplay the oppo more this year and next year rather than just building a def system that’s keeps the oppo score low.
I don’t think having Taranto, Hopper will help as much in the long term as having the role filled by younger players.

 

[LTT]

Both TT and hopper provide cover while we have kids develop and grow into an impacting role

Without then we'd lose by 15g a week and draftees would flee after contract expires especially interstate ones , it's a journey working toward establishing a winning lineup , these two blokes are a bridge . It's a nonsense to think we'd be better without them , we'd be fundamentally fkd

I wouldn’t recommend both Taranto and Hopper being removed from the midfield however only having one in there at a time would still give some cover and create opportunities to try others. We have to start playing the kids in there eventually. And definitely no MacIntosh in there

 

[Chomp12]

B&F Top 5

1-Taranto
2-Nankervis
3-Hopper
4-Vlastuin
5-Miller

Campbell and Banks probably the two others that I reckon will be pushing for the top 5.

 

[Michaels]

Our forward line set up fix required for the second half of the year.

This will divide people, but I wanna win another 2-3 games.


Link below

 

[LTT]

Our forward line set up fix required for the second half of the year.

This will divide people, but I wanna win another 2-3 games.


Link below

While I don't mind giving Blight a run in the forward line but I don't think it fixes the fundamental problem. The real problem is that the opposition know that when we go slow into the forward line eventually, we will "Kick long to Tom". As long as we keep doing that they will keep double tagging him. The cause of the "Kick long to Tom" could be several things. It could be that our midfielders have substandard foot skills. They are certainly less skilled than say Hawthorn who can get the ball to Watson and Ginevan or Collingwood who can do the same with Elliot and Hill. It could be that our forward structure is to stagnant. If no one leads, then "Kick it long to Tom" becomes the best option. On the flip side, I did hear a commentator complain that our small forwards spent too much time leading instead of crumbing at the feet of the talls. You just can't please everyone! It may be that Lynch as the key forward is too predictable or too slow. Would our coaches be prepared to play Blight or Lafua or Simms as the key target with Lynch leading out to create space. Would Lynch accept that role. There seems to be a bigger problem than just the personal. I would hate to sacrifice Blight's development by having him play forward and failing while not fixing the underlying problem.

 

[Barunga Bullet]

 

[Wooden Robot]

Taranto is playing half forward, Hopper half back.

I'm in training at 53 years of age to play half forward in two years' time, if Hopper is a staple across half back.
He's no half back - now or then.
He's a big dilemma for us as he is an onballer or nothing.

 

[LTT]

Taranto,Hopper,and Kmac are not anyone's idea of our next premiership A grade midfield. Our young players would get killed playing that role this year, no way they handle the physicality, and grind. Most of them have already broken down, and they are not even playing in the guts. Hopefully in 18 months time Taranto is playing half forward, Hopper half back, Kmac is enjoying a well earned beer on a beach in W.A and our midfield consists of a fit and healthy Smillie, Lalor, Reid, Hotton, Gilj. If simms ends up a ruckman, great if not get a ruckman, but for now they are very much needed, and we would be stuffed without them.

We have other players apart from this year's recruits that need to be tested in the midfield. Sonsie is the obvious one. MacAuliff is in there now which is good. I would like to see Green and Rioli tried because I think they will fail as small forwards. Ross I think is a half forward but it would be interesting to see how he would go in the midfield supported by one of Taranto or Hopper. The last one is Smith. I don't think he will succeed as a defender so I would like to see him tried on a wing which means we probably should try HRS in the centre just to see how he does. They may all fail and be gone next year but it would be worth playing them in their correct position in the AFL first before we dump them.

 

[DickieKnee]

It's gonna be a slow burn. Can't see us being competitive for 4 or 5 years, and that's if our young recruits progress.

 

[captain cotch 9]

It's gonna be a slow burn. Can't see us being competitive for 4 or 5 years, and that's if our young recruits progress.

What did you think at the end of 2016?
Things can turn so quickly.

 

[baazzaa]

What did you think at the end of 2016?

Not OP but in 2016 i thought all the coaches should be fired because I was confident we had a top-4 list.

My opinion on our current list is it will hit rock-bottom in 2027...