Who are the contenders and pretenders in Richmond’s VFL side?

HOW does Richmond’s VFL talent stack up? Jon Anderson takes a look at the club’s contenders and pretenders.

Ben Lennon. Picture: Getty Images

“WE FEEL in the footy club now as good a list as I think we’ve had at my disposal since I’ve been there. Some of those players we’re yet to see, some you’ve seen a little bit of and they’re going to be incredible players going forward.” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick on May 25, 2016.

A message of “incredible” hope, delivered six weeks ago when the Tigers had come off wins against Sydney at the MCG and Fremantle in Perth after six straight losses.

Right now it lacks substance given Richmond sits 12th with six wins in the AFL and 13th with three victories in the VFL, hardly inspiring confidence about the coming years.

So just what do they have in a VFL team that has won three of eleven games but one that in fairness has shown considerably better signs in recent weeks?

Of the players who haven’t been seen regularly or ever at senior level, here is a form sheet based on their 2016 efforts. The most likely to win senior promotion are Jason Castagna, Oleg Markov and Callum Moore.

And you would anticipate with finals all but gone that the rest of 2016 has to be about finding out just who can play.

THE VFL CONTENDERS/PRETENDERS

Nathan Broad: (defender, pick 67 in 2015 draft, 2 games) Really good running player with plenty of dash who is worth a run of senior games.

Dan Butler: (forward, pick 67 in 2014 draft, 0 games) Struggling. Needs to use the first option rather than doing too much when he gets it.

Ben Lennon celebrates a goal with Jack Riewoldt. Picture: Getty Images

Jason Castagna: (defender, 2015 rookie draft, 2 games) Got good agility, good in close and rarely gets tackled. Just needs to put some polish on his game.

Mabior Chol: (defender, 2016 rookie draft, 0 games) A really exciting prospect but one that is expected to fully blossom in two to three years.

Nathan Drummond: (defender, pick 52 in 2014 draft, 1 game) Lightning quick but just back from an ACL suffered in his debut senior game last year.

Ben Lennon: (forward, pick 12 in 2013 draft, 18 games) Injury hasn’t been his friend. Just needs to put some games together to see what he’s got.

Adam Marcon: (midfielder, 2016 rookie draft, 0 games) Not overly quick so needs to give it off quicker when he gets it. A fair way off.

Oleg Markov: (forward, pick 50 in 2015 draft, 0 games) Is a real chance and should see senior action off a back flank or wing via his dash..

Liam McBean: (key forward, pick 33 in 2012 draft, 2 games) Was rated highly by the club early on but now in his fourth year and not making any real impact.

Andrew Moore: (midfielder, pick 9 in 2009 draft, 56 games) Tried in the midfield early on and since been used up forward. Struggling.

Andrew Moore playing in the Richmond VFL side. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Callum Moore: (forward, 2016 rookie draft, 0 games) Can play back or forward. Has good hands as shown when out-marking Lyndon Dunn on Sunday. Chance

Jayden Short: (midfielder, 2015 rookie draft, 8 games) Doesn’t get a lot of it but doesn’t miss too often which is his job.

Ivan Soldo: (ruckman, 2015 rookie draft, 0 games) Project ruckman who hasn’t played a lot of football.

Jacob Townsend: (midfielder, traded from GWS, 32 games) Hasn’t had the impact hoped for since being recruited from GWS.

Originally published as Who are the contenders and pretenders in Richmond’s VFL side?