Preview Season 2025

[_RT_]

Season 2025 is going to be the first real year Richmond embraces the much needed rebuild after the success that the club had between 2017 & 2020. After trying to avoid going down this path with the recruitment of players like Taranto & Hopper to try and keep us in the window, the club had little choice but to embrace the rebuild after we lost a host of premiership heroes to retirement/trades & free agency moves over 2022, 2023 & 2024 with the likes of Caddy Lambert Edwards Cotchin Riewoldt Soldo Castagna Baker Bolton Graham Grimes Martin Pickett & Daniel Rioli all moving on.

What that has meant is that we have gone from one of the oldest and most experienced sides to one of the youngest and least experienced sides. That's not necessarily a bad thing, we've got 8 highly rated draftees that have been added to the list and we've got a number of younger players who have been looking for opportunities. Now I'm not going to sit here and say that all of them are going to become members of the next Richmond premiership side. There is a chance that none of them are part of that side, given it's so incredibly hard to win a premiership.

It is those draftees and younger players that are going to give us fans the most to look forward to as we head to games this season. Whether it's at the MCG or Moe by the Sea, we will get to see glimpses of what they can do and while those glimpses may be few and far between early on they will keep giving us all hope and each week we will see more and more from them. It won't be full games, and none of us should expect that from any of them, but it will be a burst in a quarter, then it becomes a quarter, then a half and when we least expect it, someone will jump up and have a breakout game, that gives the club that of adrenaline that makes those cold winter days/nights in the stands worthwhile.

6 Players To Watch
Sam Banks - taken with 1 of our 5 top 30 picks back in 2021, Banks had been biding his time in the VFL in his first 2 years with us, before he got an extended opportunity last year to stake a claim to a wing spot. He never really established himself in the way that many would have liked, but there were glimpses as the year unfolded. Entering his 4th season, he will be given the first crack at filling the void at either wing or HB.

Jacob Bauer - taken in the 2022 MSD Bauer has battled injuries and off field issues that have stopped him from getting a clear run at AFL level. When he has played he is another who has showed glimpses and has had some standout moments in the VFL including kicking multiple match winning goals after the siren. Bauer looks to be given a chance as the 3rd tall forward to start the season and could very well thrive in the role with some consistent game time.

Tom Brown - like Banks, Brown is another of the players taken in the 2021 draft haul. He is another who has had injuries that limited his development and even heading into this year he is coming from a position where he has had to recover from off-season surgery. That being said there were many positive reports about Browns summer with him leading a lot of the running drills and also being someone we look to use coming out of D50. With plenty of openings to fill in our best 23, Brown will get a chance early on to take a key role in our back 6.

Rhyan Mansell - Mansell may not be everyone's favourite, but he seems to have taken a leadership role among the younger players and there has been plenty of positive reports about him over the summer and as a result will be a fixture in the best 23 for most of the season, like him or loathe him, the one thing with Mansell is that you know you're getting 100% every week. His performance this season will have a big say in how many games we win this year.

Samson Ryan - seems to have taken on the role as Whipping Boy after the departure of Cumberland and after a lot of positive talk during the summer, his performances in the practice matches has left a lot wondering who should be sacked for him being signed for another 3 seasons. Ryan plays his best as a number 1 ruck, but with Nankervis in the role as well as being club captain, it is shaping as another season where Ryan plays more VFL or as a ruck/forward at AFL level, which won't ease the questions about his future. What would be great to see is that during the year when Nankervis either gets hurt or suspended, Ryan comes in and plays in a way that makes Yze and co at least question whether Nankervis remains the number 1 ruck heading into 2026. If Ryan can step up it answers a big question about who our next ruckman will be.

Tyler Sonsie - the 3rd player on this list that was part of the 5 x top 30 picks in 2021. Sonsie has become somewhat of an enigma among supporters. There are some who believe he can become a very good player if played as a midfielder, while there are those who believe he hasn't got what it takes. In what won't be a surprise to many long time members, I'm on the fence when it comes to Sonsie. He has shown he can play the game to a reasonable level, but sometimes he just lacks the urgency and hunger that separates the players who just make a list and those who have long careers. By all reports Tyler has had a strong summer and has shown some signs playing in the middle 1/3 of the ground in match simulations either as a wing or flanker. Like the rest of the 2021 crop we need Sonsie to become a regular at the senior level.

How Many Wins
IMO I see us winning between 2-6 games this season, with 6 only happening if we have a charmed run on the injury front, so I'll settle on us winning 4 games and given the profile of the list, that's probably a fair return and something that we can build from over the next couple of years. As long as those wins are coming while we're pouring game time into the younger players then I've got no issues and there is no reason why it shouldn't happen that way. The 'reward' we'll get from that is first crack at the draft again and thanks to Norths desperation possibly a 2nd top 5 pick to go with it.

Summary
As I mentioned at the top this year is effectively ground zero for the rebuild. Our hand was somewhat forced and we've got little choice but to embrace the journey ahead, no matter how tough it gets. We waited 37 years for success last time around, hopefully the club has learnt from the Hardwick list build and knows that shortcuts won't get the job done. We need to be patient and take the hits that will come this year and there will be many, most likely starting in R1 v Carlton, but if it gets us back to the type of success we had in those premiership years then bring it on.

 

[richard parker]

How many annihilations by over 100 points can I expect? Not sure I've got it in me.

 

[sante]

 

[Mr Magic]

I am considering playing Tom Brown at CHF.

Now here me out please.

We have a heap of forwards. So we have options. We also have potential flexibility in the key posts potentially.

It looks like taller Lynch will be FF most likely. we need to set up smart around that.

Now, given Brown has supposed to have had a growth spurt in height, likes to take a mark and the way he plays taller I do not mind him presenting at times during the game as part of a rotation at CHF. Brown at CHF could provide more running power given he has supposedly improved his running and kicking wise he should be a great distributor into the forward line.

Given our options we could play Faull and Armstrong both on forward flanks to support and provide a different setup with running players around them and the likes of Lalor further deep with Lynch. It would be a different dynamic but I think it could work and throw a spanner in the works for opposition defences down the track in terms of matchups and ability to counter such a setup if effective.

On top of that Tom Brown can play in other positions so it is not like we have to lock down on this structure for the whole game. We can trial it and rotate different mixes around as part of our player development and synergy growth.

I just think Brown at CHF could offer us more forward line penetration and mobility. I still think he can straight us up with his aerial ability and he can have support around him.

The other thing is having Tom Brown CHF allows Smillie and Trainor to drift forward at times if we feel that works for us

 

[Bojangles17]

How many annihilations by over 100 points can I expect? Not sure I've got it in me.

I think we ll prove to be more competitive than that , we just ran into a near full strength pies out fit that on that side would be certain top 4 , their only problem will be if injuries set in

We won’t be facing D50 containing 4 AA players ea week in which case if we can maintain a healthy 50 entries we should make more of our 20 shots than 6 goals

Lynch and Balta playing most of season will be crucial to us being competitive , let’s see how we go

 

[Drunken Wookie]

I think we ll prove to be more competitive than that , we just ran into a near full strength pies out fit that on that side would be certain top 4 , their only problem will be if injuries set in

We won’t be facing D50 containing 4 AA players ea week in which case if we can maintain a healthy 50 entries we should make more of our 20 shots than 6 goals

Lynch and Balta playing most of season will be crucial to us being competitive , let’s see how we go

im of the same opinion. we still have enough quality senior bodies, when looking at a fit squad, to not get completely bullied every week IF the players are having a go. if heads start dropping and players aren't pressuring and tackling falls off that's when we'll see the big blow outs. that'll be the challenge for yze, keeping everyone up and about.

 

[LTT]

Season 2025 is going to be the first real year Richmond embraces the much needed rebuild after the success that the club had between 2017 & 2020. After trying to avoid going down this path with the recruitment of players like Taranto & Hopper to try and keep us in the window, the club had little choice but to embrace the rebuild after we lost a host of premiership heroes to retirement/trades & free agency moves over 2022, 2023 & 2024 with the likes of Caddy Lambert Edwards Cotchin Riewoldt Soldo Castagna Baker Bolton Graham Grimes Martin Pickett & Daniel Rioli all moving on.

What that has meant is that we have gone from one of the oldest and most experienced sides to one of the youngest and least experienced sides. That's not necessarily a bad thing, we've got 8 highly rated draftees that have been added to the list and we've got a number of younger players who have been looking for opportunities. Now I'm not going to sit here and say that all of them are going to become members of the next Richmond premiership side. There is a chance that none of them are part of that side, given it's so incredibly hard to win a premiership.

It is those draftees and younger players that are going to give us fans the most to look forward to as we head to games this season. Whether it's at the MCG or Moe by the Sea, we will get to see glimpses of what they can do and while those glimpses may be few and far between early on they will keep giving us all hope and each week we will see more and more from them. It won't be full games, and none of us should expect that from any of them, but it will be a burst in a quarter, then it becomes a quarter, then a half and when we least expect it, someone will jump up and have a breakout game, that gives the club that of adrenaline that makes those cold winter days/nights in the stands worthwhile.

6 Players To Watch
Sam Banks - taken with 1 of our 5 top 30 picks back in 2021, Banks had been biding his time in the VFL in his first 2 years with us, before he got an extended opportunity last year to stake a claim to a wing spot. He never really established himself in the way that many would have liked, but there were glimpses as the year unfolded. Entering his 4th season, he will be given the first crack at filling the void at either wing or HB.

Jacob Bauer - taken in the 2022 MSD Bauer has battled injuries and off field issues that have stopped him from getting a clear run at AFL level. When he has played he is another who has showed glimpses and has had some standout moments in the VFL including kicking multiple match winning goals after the siren. Bauer looks to be given a chance as the 3rd tall forward to start the season and could very well thrive in the role with some consistent game time.

Tom Brown - like Banks, Brown is another of the players taken in the 2021 draft haul. He is another who has had injuries that limited his development and even heading into this year he is coming from a position where he has had to recover from off-season surgery. That being said there were many positive reports about Browns summer with him leading a lot of the running drills and also being someone we look to use coming out of D50. With plenty of openings to fill in our best 23, Brown will get a chance early on to take a key role in our back 6.

Rhyan Mansell - Mansell may not be everyone's favourite, but he seems to have taken a leadership role among the younger players and there has been plenty of positive reports about him over the summer and as a result will be a fixture in the best 23 for most of the season, like him or loathe him, the one thing with Mansell is that you know you're getting 100% every week. His performance this season will have a big say in how many games we win this year.

Samson Ryan - seems to have taken on the role as Whipping Boy after the departure of Cumberland and after a lot of positive talk during the summer, his performances in the practice matches has left a lot wondering who should be sacked for him being signed for another 3 seasons. Ryan plays his best as a number 1 ruck, but with Nankervis in the role as well as being club captain, it is shaping as another season where Ryan plays more VFL or as a ruck/forward at AFL level, which won't ease the questions about his future. What would be great to see is that during the year when Nankervis either gets hurt or suspended, Ryan comes in and plays in a way that makes Yze and co at least question whether Nankervis remains the number 1 ruck heading into 2026. If Ryan can step up it answers a big question about who our next ruckman will be.

Tyler Sonsie - the 3rd player on this list that was part of the 5 x top 30 picks in 2021. Sonsie has become somewhat of an enigma among supporters. There are some who believe he can become a very good player if played as a midfielder, while there are those who believe he hasn't got what it takes. In what won't be a surprise to many long time members, I'm on the fence when it comes to Sonsie. He has shown he can play the game to a reasonable level, but sometimes he just lacks the urgency and hunger that separates the players who just make a list and those who have long careers. By all reports Tyler has had a strong summer and has shown some signs playing in the middle 1/3 of the ground in match simulations either as a wing or flanker. Like the rest of the 2021 crop we need Sonsie to become a regular at the senior level.

How Many Wins
IMO I see us winning between 2-6 games this season, with 6 only happening if we have a charmed run on the injury front, so I'll settle on us winning 4 games and given the profile of the list, that's probably a fair return and something that we can build from over the next couple of years. As long as those wins are coming while we're pouring game time into the younger players then I've got no issues and there is no reason why it shouldn't happen that way. The 'reward' we'll get from that is first crack at the draft again and thanks to Norths desperation possibly a 2nd top 5 pick to go with it.

Summary
As I mentioned at the top this year is effectively ground zero for the rebuild. Our hand was somewhat forced and we've got little choice but to embrace the journey ahead, no matter how tough it gets. We waited 37 years for success last time around, hopefully the club has learnt from the Hardwick list build and knows that shortcuts won't get the job done. We need to be patient and take the hits that will come this year and there will be many, most likely starting in R1 v Carlton, but if it gets us back to the type of success we had in those premiership years then bring it on.

I like your emphasis on the 2021 draft. Early in the season we need to play these kids and Grey Blight Bauer and Fawcett in their correct positions. Most of the 2024 draftees will not be ready first up anyway. If the 2021 kids step up that will speed up our rebuild, if not bring more kids in. For players like Short MacIntosh Broard and Miller this will mean games in the vfl. For players like Toranto Hopper and Prestia this will mean playing less mid field minutes. The emphasis needs to be on the future

 

[wegetpumped]

I am considering playing Tom Brown at CHF.

Now here me out please.

We have a heap of forwards. So we have options. We also have potential flexibility in the key posts potentially.

It looks like taller Lynch will be FF most likely. we need to set up smart around that.

Now, given Brown has supposed to have had a growth spurt in height, likes to take a mark and the way he plays taller I do not mind him presenting at times during the game as part of a rotation at CHF. Brown at CHF could provide more running power given he has supposedly improved his running and kicking wise he should be a great distributor into the forward line.

Given our options we could play Faull and Armstrong both on forward flanks to support and provide a different setup with running players around them and the likes of Lalor further deep with Lynch. It would be a different dynamic but I think it could work and throw a spanner in the works for opposition defences down the track in terms of matchups and ability to counter such a setup if effective.

On top of that Tom Brown can play in other positions so it is not like we have to lock down on this structure for the whole game. We can trial it and rotate different mixes around as part of our player development and synergy growth.

I just think Brown at CHF could offer us more forward line penetration and mobility. I still think he can straight us up with his aerial ability and he can have support around him.

The other thing is having Tom Brown CHF allows Smillie and Trainor to drift forward at times if we feel that works for us

I always knew magic was miahceals alt account this proves it

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Hear me out... might win the injury count again!

 

[rammmbo]

I am considering playing Tom Brown at CHF.

Now here me out please.

We have a heap of forwards. So we have options. We also have potential flexibility in the key posts potentially.

It looks like taller Lynch will be FF most likely. we need to set up smart around that.

Now, given Brown has supposed to have had a growth spurt in height, likes to take a mark and the way he plays taller I do not mind him presenting at times during the game as part of a rotation at CHF. Brown at CHF could provide more running power given he has supposedly improved his running and kicking wise he should be a great distributor into the forward line.

Given our options we could play Faull and Armstrong both on forward flanks to support and provide a different setup with running players around them and the likes of Lalor further deep with Lynch. It would be a different dynamic but I think it could work and throw a spanner in the works for opposition defences down the track in terms of matchups and ability to counter such a setup if effective.

On top of that Tom Brown can play in other positions so it is not like we have to lock down on this structure for the whole game. We can trial it and rotate different mixes around as part of our player development and synergy growth.

I just think Brown at CHF could offer us more forward line penetration and mobility. I still think he can straight us up with his aerial ability and he can have support around him.

The other thing is having Tom Brown CHF allows Smillie and Trainor to drift forward at times if we feel that works for us

Brown and trainer are what we need on the wings .imo . The club needs to get away from normalcy norman thinking and build a unique structure and game plan for the future not what campaigners are doing now .

Lefau should be played as a a true ruck rover to replace one of the slugs as well probally hopper.

 

[ShereKhan]

I am considering playing Tom Brown at CHF.

Now here me out please.

We have a heap of forwards. So we have options. We also have potential flexibility in the key posts potentially.

It looks like taller Lynch will be FF most likely. we need to set up smart around that.

Now, given Brown has supposed to have had a growth spurt in height, likes to take a mark and the way he plays taller I do not mind him presenting at times during the game as part of a rotation at CHF. Brown at CHF could provide more running power given he has supposedly improved his running and kicking wise he should be a great distributor into the forward line.

Given our options we could play Faull and Armstrong both on forward flanks to support and provide a different setup with running players around them and the likes of Lalor further deep with Lynch. It would be a different dynamic but I think it could work and throw a spanner in the works for opposition defences down the track in terms of matchups and ability to counter such a setup if effective.

On top of that Tom Brown can play in other positions so it is not like we have to lock down on this structure for the whole game. We can trial it and rotate different mixes around as part of our player development and synergy growth.

I just think Brown at CHF could offer us more forward line penetration and mobility. I still think he can straight us up with his aerial ability and he can have support around him.

The other thing is having Tom Brown CHF allows Smillie and Trainor to drift forward at times if we feel that works for us

Couldn’t disagree more. Flags are won by elite defensive groups who’ve played multiple seasons together, and this is an area of the ground we have a chance to be elite in if fitness permits:

Key backs: Balta, Gibcus, Trainor, Blight (Miller, Kosi and Young as back-ups). Gibcus and likely Trainor can play tall or mid-size.

Others from: Brown, Banks, Tresize, Short, Vlastuin, Smith.

Of those 13 Short and Vlastuin the only ones over 26yo. And a couple more won’t be on the list 2027 onwards.

It’s a potentially elite defensive unit and they need to play together ASAP so they have 3-years as a unit when we are ready to contend.

You can win a flag without an elite forward group … you can’t get anywhere near it without an elite defensive unit and Brown is a crucial component of that.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[GN272]

I’m an optimist and think this could be the Cinderella story of the century … GF for the Tigers this season….

 

[Groupie_]

I’m an optimist and think this could be the Cinderella story of the century … GF for the Tigers this season….

imagine the umpiring

 

[Mr Magic]

Couldn’t disagree more. Flags are won by elite defensive groups who’ve played multiple seasons together, and this is an area of the ground we have a chance to be elite in if fitness permits:

Key backs: Balta, Gibcus, Trainor, Blight (Miller, Kosi and Young as back-ups). Gibcus and likely Trainor can play tall or mid-size.

Others from: Brown, Banks, Tresize, Short, Vlastuin, Smith.

Of those 13 Short and Vlastuin the only ones over 26yo. And a couple more won’t be on the list 2027 onwards.

It’s a potentially elite defensive unit and they need to play together ASAP so they have 3-years as a unit when we are ready to contend.

You can win a flag without an elite forward group … you can’t get anywhere near it without an elite defensive unit and Brown is a crucial component of that.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I think you underrate some of our players, especially from a projection standpoint, and allowing for the general development factor given our list is in a growth phase.

Trainor to me was really a top 5 draft pick. He was in early phantoms. The concussions probably may have put others off. I actually at the moment have Trainor ahead of Smillie on pure footy IQ and confidence. Smillie might go past him and be a better footballer of course, who knows. In fact Trainor could be better than Lalor in the end but possibly not. It is up to development and hopefully concussions are avoided and he has a good crack at it. If true what does that mean? It means players like Trainor could do more than just half back potentially. I like Trainor was not fazed by Pendlebury in match play but Pendlebury is getting on. I have backed Trainor for the rising star as a long shot. Trainor is a interesting one. He has a slight build like Will Day. Every player is different . Not sure how he will fill out a bit. If he did not have the concussions straight in the backline. However, Trainor could be more. I am not sure Trainor could be a ruck rover or rover but could he develop into a centre or central distributor? Not impossible. If Trainor develops to that potential, players of that ilk, when versatile, can play well wherever they go and it is more a question where they are most effective at certain times against certain matchups.

I am not sure Trainor is ready for the running power of the wing especially at this youthful stage . I would rather Trainor have the ability to get more ball in his hand, centrally that is how high I rate him. First things first though, no concussions, we are in development phase, no need to push the envelope!! Having said that, in terms of package, Trainor could be more ideally suited to the wing than Brown. That would be expected from a potential top 5 draft pick in a strong draft after adjusting for the concussion issues. With Brown I am not sure he is nimble for wing, in terms of his package, against better players but he could play wing. I am not sure Brown is not more effective forward than back due to his kicking and Brown is a bit more pristine than run of the mill backmen, especially regarding delivery. The other thing with Brown at half forward it helps Smillie and Trainor develop at half back and remember, we are going through a organic development phase where we are finding out more about the players, where what best suits them and how they can grow and get better. A number of these players have a fair amount of ability and project aspects about them. These players could play a few different roles and be effective such is the quality and versatility attached to them and our player mix caters for versatile players because versatile players accomodate other versatile players because they enable other players to move around and cover for their rotations in different situations against different match ups

The thing we us we have Armstrong and Faull and other forwards. What do we do with them and how can they be most effective?? Given the long kicking abilities of Armstrong who is also a leftie and Faull a right footer, theoretically they could play on opposite half forward flanks provided they had enough running support around them especially Armstrong who would be more dangerous up ground with his long kicking. Apart from separation that would only work with proper running power around them when the ball hits the ground. Browns main weapon to me seems to be his kicking. If he is has the ball at half forward or beyond that could be deadly giving our forwards and score a big boost and if he is central he could pinpoint either way given our opposition nightmares. Have to remember we are not talking about locking players into specific roles forever. For example Faull could be CHF, he could be FF, he still has to make it, Armstrong could play a few different forward positions and we have other prospects we are still figuring out like Bauer, Fawcett, Gibcus and others.

Smillie as well is a bit of a slow burn and unicorn. What do you with someone like that? Smillie and Trainor could play CHF in different setups in the years ahead. Nothing is impossible with our options going forward and possible development. Ideally if you can put Smillie in the team with Trainor where you can when they are ready and see how they develop and grow and become how they play against different opponents. It is a bit of an open book on the ceilings of Smillie and Trainor on how they develop and what they will or will not be able to do. Smillie also is a bit better than we will stick you in a back pocket and work on your craft for the next ten years along with your defensive mix, there your done( it is not like that and we do not want barriers on Smillie either). Brown forward helps Smillie and Trainor develop at half back obviously, like Daicos, albeit different player types but it give players wriggle room to grow, but with Trainor and Smillie to, we do not want concussions

I look at the RFC website about what is been happening and I see a snapshot with Simms in it. There is another one. What do you do with Simms in terms of fitting him in the group mix and development phase? Well being a bigger type he needs more runs on the board unlike a Kako. But I like Simms in that he has a crack and I like his mobility for his height and size. Simms could be quite the force down the track. Obviously in the reserves he has room to develop with plenty of others more advanced in this infancy but I would really like to see what Simms could do down back, apart from his forward craft and ruck. The thing is a lot of our players have a lot of potential, and some quite versatile. They are not plain Jane rabbits. If a player can show more in different roles it will help them get more opportunity and enable others to develop along with them creating more powerful upside for the team. MRJ was in the snapshot with Simms, can he develop to be more like Kako?? We will have to wait and see

 

[_RT_]

I like your emphasis on the 2021 draft. Early in the season we need to play these kids and Grey Blight Bauer and Fawcett in their correct positions. Most of the 2024 draftees will not be ready first up anyway. If the 2021 kids step up that will speed up our rebuild, if not bring more kids in. For players like Short MacIntosh Broard and Miller this will mean games in the vfl. For players like Toranto Hopper and Prestia this will mean playing less mid field minutes. The emphasis needs to be on the future

I agree with some parts of your post and disagree with others.

I agree the emphasis needs to be on the future, but you can't just throw kids to the wolves and expect then to thrive. They need those older players taking a lot of the load especially early on. As the younger players start to establish themselves then you increase the expectations on them.

Patience is going to be the key over the next 2-3 seasons.

 

[tiger_tough]

I can cop us being shit when I'm expecting it, and I expect us to finish last this year. It's when I expect us to be good and we're not that I get pissed off.

I'm just looking forward to watching all the kids this year and hopefully some semblance of a game plan. Not too fussed on the win-loss column as long as we continue to see the 'green shoots'.

 

[Coach_Required]

Going to be a lot of games this year where we will look ok for a quarter or 2 and then get blown away in 10 min bursts that the games will be over.

How it goes after that is what I want to see, I'm predicting most games it will get pretty ugly though.

 

[Bojangles17]

im of the same opinion. we still have enough quality senior bodies, when looking at a fit squad, to not get completely bullied every week IF the players are having a go. if heads start dropping and players aren't pressuring and tackling falls off that's when we'll see the big blow outs. that'll be the challenge for yze, keeping everyone up and about.

Particularly sides in our weight Div thereabouts ,,, not top 4 aspirants that might get ugly . V the pies every time we got it in , daicos, Houston , quaynor and Moore flogged us to the contest
There'll be better chances than that to make our mark

Eg I expect a pretty good game v saints , what R is that

 

[GN272]

imagine the umpiring

I don't think I can - a world where the umpires call it fairly ... thats a very utopian world ... (spolier - it doesnt exist)

 

[Ralll]

Those 6 players to watch are the bottom 6 players in a good team imo...and Ryan would need to improve.

 

[LTT]

I agree with some parts of your post and disagree with others.

I agree the emphasis needs to be on the future, but you can't just throw kids to the wolves and expect then to thrive. They need those older players taking a lot of the load especially early on. As the younger players start to establish themselves then you increase the expectations on them.

Patience is going to be the key over the next 2-3 seasons.

With the 2024 draftees we do definitely need to give them support but the 2021 draftees and the mature age mid season draftee we need to chuck them in the deep end and see if they survive. Then cull the ones that don’t. After that we need to play the 2024 draftees in the spots that become vacant. We have so many kids, so we need to see who is worth investing games into.

 

[Dr Tigris]

If the injury gods like us we should be fairly competitive with about 8 teams this year. So win 1/2 of those games and we get 6 wins or so.

If the injury gods don't like us then we'll get smashed repeatedly, maybe 0-2 wins.



We need to both blood and protect our 2024 draftees. So don't just play the kids!

But the 2021 guys should be ready to take it week in week out.

If we get lucky and a few guys like Sonsie, Banks , Bauer, Brown and Mansell (as mentioned) step up then we will be a much stronger and deeper team than people think right now.

So a really interesting year of footy watching. If we get it right then we'll be mostly competitive, and developing at a rapid pace.

What I'd really like to see beyond the above is us getting a game plan that works. e.g. Introducing players like Rioli, Campbell etc to increase speed and ball movement. I don't care much if it isn't awesome. But that we try and it works at times would be enough. If we can step the team structure up from patchy and dysfunctional, to patchy and sort of functional I would be very happy. Add in good development of the draftees, and some of the 3-5 year guys coming through then a good year, no matter where we finish.

 

[Groupie_]

I watched the first half of the praccy against colonwood - RYAN IS A MUPPET HAS NO CLUE

made me melt down

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

Ready for newy ball round from round [emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]] to the GF [emoji471]


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[Tiger51]

Some training today provided by Caesar on PRE

am guessing a main session or even an Intra will be held tomorrow?

I walked past this morning and they just had all the forwards out there for 20 minutes of goalkicking:

You all know who they are but just seeing them all together, (bar Colina), it is just a reminder of our options now and going forward, (yes Hottton was having a few shots at goal).

Lynch
Mansell
Faull
Lefau
JNR
Hotton
Bauer
Jasper
Lalor
Seth
Steely
Simms
Armstrong
Colina
Fawcett