top of page
Football Central
Rebuild Richmond
Richmond is in strife. They have had a horrible season when expected to make finals at the beginning, and they look like they aren't going anywhere. What can Richmond do to turn it around? It will most likely take something radical.
1. The Coach
Damien Hardwick has been in the job for seven years now, and is the unfortunate man with the most games coached without a finals victory. From three finals, his side have capitulated every time, and that comes back to the game plan designed by the coach. The personnel he's had has been an issue, but 'Dimma' must have had a say on strategy of recruiting mature-aged cast-offs from other clubs (who didn't want them for a reason) or from the state leagues. If he were out of contract the Tigers would sack him on the spot, but Richmond would be forced to pay out about one million dollars if Hardwick's coaching tenure was to be cut short, blowing the club's financial position. A perfect option to replace Hardwick if he were to go is Bomber Thompson. He has around football success and knows how it's created. If he's got the fire in the belly, a club like Richmond or maybe Brisbane should jump at the chance to get someone of his profile.
2. The Recruiters
Let's face, the Tigers haven't had much to play with in the draft in the last couple of years, but if you look at their recent first round draft picks, they have done nothing. Reece Conca, Brandon Ellis, Nick Vlastuin and Ben Lennon and Corey Ellis have all had good cracks at it, and none apart from Brandon Ellis have shown any A-grade potential. I believe they've hit the nail on the head with Daniel Rioli, and that he will be a star of the future. The thing is, great teams aren't just built of early draft picks (with the obviously exception of the mob that call themselves the Giants). Hawthorn had Sam Mitchell (pick 36), Liam Shiels (34), Ben Stratton (46), Luke Breust (47), Paul Puopolo (66) and more recently James Sicily (56), while Geelong had Paul Chapman (31), Corey Enright (47) and Cameron Ling (38), along with countless priceless third round father-son selections (hello Ablett Jr, Scarlett and Hawkins). The only Richmond finds have been Oleg Markov and Sam Lloyd. Sack the recruiters, and gets someone who thinks they know what they are doing. Why not give Cal Twomey or Christopher Doerre a chance?
3. Trading
They need high draft picks and quick. They could try to do a quick rebuild by trading out one star for picks, but I think they should take a different approach. Ask the question to yourself: Will any of these players be around for the year GWS finally doesn't win a flag? If the answer is no, trade him. Trade Deledio and Edwards and release Vickery this year and stock up on late first-round/mid second-round picks, as there appears to be 30 players of first-round talent in this draft, without stand outs. Next year try Brandon ELlis and one of Cotchin and Dusty, along with the pick you started with, and you've got a juggernaut on the way. Forget Prestia, get the picks.
With Bomber Thompson, a stack of draft picks and the bookends in Rance and Riewoldt, Richmond may be able to challenge again, if they are willing to take the long road in.
Left: 'Dimma,' a man under the pump.
bottom of page