Touted by AFL fans and pundits as the side forever ninth, Richmond will head into the 2013 AFL season with a point to prove. With their last finals appearance a distant memory way back in 2001, the Tigers have become accustomed to preparing for holidays in September. Coach Damien Hardwick will be hoping such plans are interrupted this year.
They have lost Angus Graham to the Crows and delisted the likes of Daniel Connors, Jayden Post and Andrew Browne. However, Richmond appear to have recruited strongly. The inclusion of experienced defender Troy Chaplin from Port Adelaide should stablise the back half, while Aaron Edwards from North Melbourne and Chris Knights from Adelaide should offer added support to 2012 Coleman Medalist Jack Riewoldt up forward.
Just one pre-season loss, occurring against the Kangaroos in week one of the NAB Cup, bodes well for Richmond. They impressed in Wangaratta against the Bombers and won a one-point thriller against the Hawks in Tasmania, building a positive foundation ahead of their round one clash against Carlton.
The agony of consistently missing out on finals action has been a significant burden for Richmond supporters over a long period, and with Hardwick heading into his fourth season at the helm, successfully reaching September is non-negotiable.
Key Player: Trent Cotchin
Pick two in the 2007 draft and the 2012 Jack Dyer Medalist, Trent Cotchin will head into the 2013 season with huge weight on his shoulders. Coming off a brilliant 2012 campaign where he averaged just under 28 disposals and finished equal second in the Brownlow medal count, a great deal will be expected of the strong and elusive 22-year-old.
He exemplifies maturity beyond his years and despite accumulating just 85 games to date, Cotchin has been rewarded with the Richmond captaincy.
There is no doubt that the added leadership pressures will have some sort of an effect. However, Richmond supporters are hoping their skipper can thrive in the new role. Success as a player and captain in 2013 is vital towards desired team outcomes.
In a midfield that boasts the likes of Brett Deliedio, Shane Tuck and Dustin Martin, Cotchin has made himself the jewel in the crown over recent seasons.
Circle it on the calendar: Round nine, Richmond v Essendon
Hyped as one of the premier games of the season, ‘Dreamtime at the G’ is not only a celebration of Indigenous culture in Australia, but a fierce battle between two old rivals.
Since 2006, Richmond and Essendon have traded victories in the fixture. It’s the atmosphere and intensity of the game that makes it a match-up of significance for the Tigers. The game, which is close to sold-out almost immediately every year, is the closest Richmond has been to a finals experience in the past decade.
If the Tigers are to have any hope of winning a final in 2013, their game against Essendon will give them great experience come September. A full MCG with all the entertainment trimmings and a bumper crowd of passionate fans has all the hallmarks of a final in the middle of May.
Prediction: 9th – 11th
Finishing 12th last year, the Tigers have recruited well with obvious intentions to make their forwards bigger and stronger. Their defence on the other hand, which has been questioned for years now, doesn’t seem to have the might to match it with the league’s best. They could climb up the ladder. However, other teams who just missed the eight in 2012 will have a greater chance to play in September.
Alex Pavlidis is a third-year Bachelor of Sports Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on twitter: @pav035
