Richmond Tigers pick up where they left off in 2017, smashing Essendon to begin the JLT Series

AFTER an off-season filled with hype, Essendon would have left Saturday’s JLT clash with Richmond very disappointed. Chris Cavanagh examines where it all went wrong and just how good the Tigers were.

Jake Stringer is helped from the field. Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON had a much weaker team on the park against Richmond and was trying some new things but was left disappointed by its output after an off-season filled with hype.

A stronger side is set to be wheeled out for the club’s second JLT Series match against Geelong on March 11, but it seems the Bombers have still got a lot of work to do if they are to push for a top-four position this year.

Chris Cavanagh looks at all the big talking points from the JLT clash.

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THE BACKLINE

To sum it up in one word: sloppy. Richmond scored freely through a variety of avenues to goal, the Bombers simply having no answers all afternoon. The absences of Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker left a largely inexperienced backline from a key position perspective, headlined by Michael Hartley, Mitch Brown and Patrick Ambrose. Against a premiership forward line, they were out of their depth. But it should be added the belting that the Essendon midfield copped did not help.

Jake Stringer is helped from the field after a head knock. Picture: Michael Klein

JAKE STRINGER

One of the big talking points of the off-season, Stringer made headlines not just for his trade from the Western Bulldogs but also for everything from his new haircut to chest tattoos. His debut in Bombers colours proved fairly underwhelming, in a new role playing mostly in the midfield. After starting on the bench, he had his head cut open in a clash with Alex Rance’s chin which required treatment. He returned to the field but was not quite right and finished with just six disposals from limited game time.

THE OTHER NEW RECRUITS

Former GWS forward Devon Smith recorded a match-high 26 disposals playing mostly through the midfield and floated forward to kick a classy goal in the opening term in a performance the Bombers would have been thrilled with. Likewise, former Gold Coast Sun Adam Saad did plenty of nice things in his first game in the red and black, including running the ball from halfback to half-forward and kicking a goal from outside 50m in the opening term. Saad and Connor McKenna should prove a powerful rebounding combination this year.

Adam Saad kicked a brilliant goal for the Bombers. Picture: Getty Images

MIDFIELD MCGRATH

Last year’s Rising Star Award winner still spent some time in defence but was largely running through the midfield as part of a new role this year. While still learning about his new role, McGrath made a solid start as he racked up 18 disposals.

DUSTIN MARTIN

Premiership, Brownlow Medal, Norm Smith Medal, All-Australian and club Best-and-fairest. Martin did it all in 2017 and it looks like another big year is ahead. Speaking on Friday, Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said “I think he can get better” when quizzed about the 26-year-old. The midfielder again proved a class above on Saturday, picking up where he left off last year with 24 disposals and a goal before being rested for much of the last quarter.

New year, same old Dusty. Picture: Michael Klein

JACK HIGGINS

Many a Richmond supporter was keen to see the club’s first pick in last year’s draft in action but the reality was we did not see too much of Jack Higgins. Snapped up at No. 17 last year, Higgins averaged a whopping 145 SuperCoach points in 33 underage games and took out the TAC Cup’s Morrish Medal last year. Higgins did not look out of place out on the AFL field, but he only managed five disposals from limited game time.

THE RUCK STOCKS

Premiership player Toby Nankervis started in the ruck but his day lasted just over 11 minutes before he left the ground after a heavy clash with the Wangaratta oval’s turf. While there were initial fears over a possible arm injury, the Tigers confirmed at halftime that Nankervis had suffered a concussion. With Ivan Soldo cut from the initial squad for the match, 21-year-old rookie Marbior Chol was left to shoulder most of the ruck duties for the remainder of the day against Matthew Leuenberger. While he tried hard, it seems Chol is still some way off becoming a regular senior player.

Jack Riewoldt was a popular man at Wangaratta. Picture: Michael Klein

THE FORWARD LINE

Last year it was Jack Riewoldt and the ‘Mosquito Fleet’ that made up Richmond’s forward line and it looks like the Tigers will be rolling with the same set up again this year. While Daniel Rioli was missing as he continues his recovery from post-season ankle surgery, Richmond otherwise played the same forward mix as last year with the likes of Riewoldt, Jason Castagna, Daniel Butler, Jacob Townsend and Josh Caddy, with Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin rotating through. Shai Bolton — a very similar player to Rioli — also showed he will be pushing for more senior opportunity this year.

HUNGER FACTOR

Having conquered the mountain last year to win its first premiership in 37 years, the question mark was always going to be what sort of attitude Richmond brought this year. While it was only a practice match, early signs were good. The Tigers’ pressure levels were high, their attack on the ball fierce and they ensured nothing was easy for the Bombers. Then there was the final margin of 87 points — nothing to sneeze at.