Richmond list analysis: Why 2021 AFL season is a huge year for the Tigers
He’s still the leading goalkicker in a premiership team, but Jack Riewoldt is starting to lose some speed and touch. Is 2021 his last dance? EVERY TIGERS PLAYER ANALYSED.
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They have won three premierships in four years and Richmond looks set to be a serious force again in 2021.
Of the Tigers who collected 2020 premiership medals, only Nathan Broad, Bachar Houli and Marlion Pickett do not have contracts signed for next year.
However, there could be one or two retirements at the end of 2021 and next year shapes as a big one for Richmond’s list management team, with 23 players currently set to come out of contract at the end of next season.
So where is every player placed? We take a look.
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1. NICK VLASTUIN
Age: 26 Games: 161 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Unlucky not to make the final All-Australian side after being named in the initial squad following a sensational year. Led the Tigers for intercept possessions (7 a game) and intercept marks (2.1 a game) as a medium-sized defender and missed only one game before a Grand Final which saw him concussed in the opening minutes.
2. DYLAN GRIMES
Age: 29 Games: 171 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Like Vlastuin, made the initial All-Australian squad only to be left out of the final team which Grimes had made for the first time in 2019. An ever-reliable defender and organiser down back who lost just 20.9 per cent of his one-on-one contests across 20 games this year.
3. DION PRESTIA
Age: 28 Games: 164 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
It all started turning for the Tigers after Prestia was one of three key trade recruits at the end of 2016. An ankle injury and then infection meant Prestia played only nine games in 2020. But he was there when it counted in finals and had 14 disposals, four clearances and two goals in another strong Grand Final after winning the club’s best-and-fairest in 2019.
4. DUSTIN MARTIN
Age: 29 Games: 244 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2024
Quickly rising in the conversation about the game’s greatest ever players after another stellar finals performance and a record-breaking third Norm Smith Medal. There’s not much Martin can’t do and there’s not much opposition sides can do to stop him. An All-Australian for a fourth time in 2020, he led the Tigers for ranking points (105 a game), disposals (20.6 a game), contested possessions (10.3 a game), score assists (1.1 a game) and score involvements (5.8 a game). All that while kicking 22 goals from 20 games for the season. He’s certainly paying the Tigers’ back on that seven-year deal signed at the end of 2017.
5. JACK ROSS
Age: 20 Games: 14 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2022
Was dropped three times as he managed just seven games in 2020 after an impressive debut season in 2019. However, getting any games in a strong Richmond midfield is difficult at the moment. The Tigers like him and will be hoping the tough-nut’s development continues over the next two years.
6. PATRICK NAISH
Age: 21 Games: 3 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Managed just one game in his third season in 2020, logging nine disposals in a Round 8 clash against GWS which was just the third match of his career. Has shown speed and talent as an outside onballer, but next season shapes as a big one in a contract year.
7. LIAM BAKER
Age: 22 Games: 42 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Still on the rookie list – not that it matters much anymore – but has now played in two premierships in as many years and produced a career-best 2020 campaign. Has improved his one-on-one defence and ranked third at Richmond for intercept possessions (5.7 a game) behind Vlastuin and Astbury. Finished a very respectable sixth in the club’s best-and-fairest count.
8. JACK RIEWOLDT
Age: 31 Games: 283 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
You’d expect 2021 to be Riewoldt’s swan song. He produced an up-and-down 2020 season, but still finished as the Tigers’ leading goalkicker for an amazing 10th time with 33 majors from 21 games. Was almost unsighted in the first half of the Grand Final but played an important role in the second half to kick two goals among six score involvements. Doesn’t have the jump and pace he once did, but still has the football smarts, plays a team game and knows how to kick a goal.
9. TRENT COTCHIN
Age: 30 Games: 251 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2022
Now has the title as a three-time premiership captain. Not bad, alongside 2012 Brownlow Medal winner and three-time best and fairest. His body has been less reliable over the past two years, particularly with hamstring issues. But Cotchin still managed 17 of 21 games this year and averaged a very healthy 18.3 disposals. Body management will continue to be key going forward.
10. SHANE EDWARDS
Age: 32 Games: 265 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Coach Damien Hardwick says of Edwards, “even I think he’s underrated still, which is hard to believe”. The midfielder has now played 14 seasons of football since debuting in 2007 and has only recently got the plaudits he deserves. Was the leading possession-winner on the ground in the Grand Final with 27 touches after an interrupted season which saw him miss 11 games due to the birth of his first child.
11. JASON CASTAGNA
Age: 24 Games: 97 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Missed the Grand Final goalfest in 2019 as he famously kicked 0.5, but got on the board with a goal in the 2020 decider. One of just three Tigers to play every game this year, the small forward rated above average for disposals (11.3 a game), goals (0.8 a game) and forward-50 pressure. Castagna has missed just three games – all through injury – in four years.
12. DAVID ASTBURY
Age: 29 Games: 138 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Does not win a lot of ball down back but also does not often get beaten by his opponent. Played 66 minutes on Tom Hawkins in the Grand Final and conceded two disposals and no goals. Also ranked second at Richmond for the season for average intercept possessions (6.4 a game) behind Vlastuin. A knee injury restricted Astbury to nine games for the season, but he had stayed relatively healthy over recent years after an injury-plagued start to his career.
13. JACK HIGGINS
Age: 21 Games: 43 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Had a remarkable debut year in 2018, but has not been quite the same since. Had brain surgery late last season which he remarkably returned from in Round 2 this year. But the small forward kicked only five goals from 10 games in 2020 and managed just one senior game after Round 10. The Tigers will be hoping he can get back to his best in 2021 with a full pre-season under his belt – if talk of a possible trade this year does not eventuate.
14. BACHAR HOULI
Age: 32 Games: 220 Contract Status: Out of contract
How did Essendon let Houli leave for free at the end of 2010? He has now played in three premierships for Richmond and is a dependable defender and well-respected member of the playing group. Played just 13 games in 2020 after staying in Melbourne for the birth of his third child, but played all three finals and battled on in the Grand Final after suffering a calf strain in the opening quarter. Turns 33 next May and there has been interest from Essendon to get him back, but you’d expect Houli to sign another one-year deal to stay at Richmond.
15. JAYDEN SHORT
Age: 24 Games: 92 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2022
A surprise winner of the club’s 2020 best-and-fairest ahead of Dustin Martin, but he did produce a super season which was capped by a great Grand Final performance in which he finished second to Martin in Norm Smith Medal voting. Averaged the second-most ranking points of any Tiger this season (98 a game), the most metres gained (484 a game) and the most marks (5.4 a game). His booming right foot is a serious weapon.
17. DANIEL RIOLI
Age: 23 Games: 95 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
By a measure of average goals and average disposals, 2020 certainly was not Rioli’s best year. He kicked only 12 goals from 18 games, going goalless in nine of those matches including the Preliminary Final and Grand Final. However, still finished equal-14th in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest, playing his role as a pressure small forward.
19. TOM LYNCH
Age: 27 Games: 175 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2025
Finished second behind Jack Riewoldt for Richmond’s goalkicking award, booting 32 majors from 19 games at 1.7 goals a game. The output was down on his average of 2.5 goals a game in 2019, but Lynch’s role this year was more to create a contest in the air and bring the ball to ground than be the main man up forward, given he was often double-teamed by opposition defenders. Still averaged the third-most score involvements of any Tiger (4.9 a game) and rated above average for contested marks (1.5 a game).
20. IVAN SOLDO
Age: 24 Games: 36 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Further consolidated his spot as the Tigers’ preferred No. 1 ruckman this season – before Toby Nankervis’ outstanding finals series – playing all but two games before rupturing the ACL and medial ligaments in his left knee during a marking contest in Round 17. Looks likely to miss all of the 2021 season, but will almost certainly get a new contract beyond that.
21. NOAH BALTA
Age: 21 Games: 30 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
The only 2020 premiership player to collect his first AFL premiership medal, Balta was a bolter for the Tigers this year. He finished eighth in the club’s best and fairest count after playing 17 games in which he was often pitted against the opposition’s best key forward. Lost just 18.4 per cent of all his one-on-one contests across the season down back and also showed his flexibility to go forward or into the ruck when needed at times.
22. JOSH CADDY
Age: 28 Games: 165 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2022
Injuries, form and being out of favour with the coach due to some ill-discipline meant 2020 was a largely forgettable year for the two-time premiership player, who managed just eight games. His lack of speed means the Tigers have better options on a wing and Caddy seems to have largely been squeezed out of the forward line despite kicking two goals against Adelaide in Round 18.
23. KANE LAMBERT
Age: 28 Games: 115 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2022
Didn’t quite have the impact of previous years, but still played an important role often switching between the forward line and midfield with Dustin Martin and had a good Grand Final. Missed only one game through injury and finished ninth in the club’s best and fairest – Lambert’s fourth top-10 finish in as many years.
25. TOBY NANKERVIS
Age: 26 Games: 82 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2023
Had been out of contract until Soldo’s knee injury in Round 17 forced the Tigers’ hand to make sure Nankervis was locked in for next year and beyond. After form and injury issues earlier in the season, Nankervis certainly repaid the faith and finished the year strongly, with a bumper finals series playing largely as a one-out ruckman. Averaged 134 ranking points across his three finals matches and was Richmond’s leading pressure player across those games.
26. RILEY COLLIER-DAWKINS
Age: 20 Games: 0 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2022
The Tigers’ first pick in the 2018 national draft at No. 20 is yet to make his senior debut but was considered close to doing so at stages this year. The tough inside-midfielder averaged 14.3 disposals and 3.7 clearances from 20 VFL appearances in 2019 and played in the club’s VFL premiership. Richmond rates him and a debut should be on the cards in 2021, all going well.
27. THOMSON DOW
Age: 19 Games: 2 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
The Tigers’ first pick in the 2019 national draft at No. 21, Dow got a taste of senior football late in the season with games in Round 14 and 15, which will do him no harm entering a second pre-season. Showed a bit as an inside midfielder who also has some wheels in his debut game against West Coast with 12 disposals and three clearances.
28. FRASER TURNER
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract Status: Delisted
A midfielder from Tasmania who was picked up at No. 58 in the 2018 national draft but has not been sighted at AFL level. Did some nice things in the VFL in 2019, though, averaging 19.2 disposals and 2.8 clearances and playing in Richmond’s premiership. Delisted this week.
29. SHAI BOLTON
Age: 21 Games: 47 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Alongside Balta, was Richmond’s rising star of 2020. Played in the 2019 premiership but took his game to a new level this year playing more midfield minutes, particularly when the Tigers were missing a host of stars mid-season. Missed only two games for the year and averaged 86 ranking points, 5.1 score involvements and 0.8 goals a game to finish fourth in the club’s best and fairest.
31. OLEG MARKOV
Age: 24 Games: 23 Contract Status: Out of contract
After just 23 games across five seasons, Markov’s time might be up at Punt Rd. The defender’s got some pace but doesn’t tend to find enough of the ball. He averaged just 11.3 disposals and 66 SuperCoach ranking points from six games this season, twice being dropped. Was one of the four emergencies for the Grand Final who has attracted interest from Gold Coast Suns at the trade table.
32. LUKE ENGLISH
Age: 20 Games: 0 Contract Status: Delisted
Hard to make any real judgment on a player who has not been seen at AFL level and managed just 12 VFL games in 2019. English had 16 disposals in the 2019 VFL premiership, but averaged just 12.1 disposals, 0.5 goals and 54 ranking points across the season playing a midfield-forward role. Delisted this week.
33. KAMDYN MCINTOSH
Age: 26 Games: 108 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Missed the 2019 finals series after some poor form at the back end of the year and missed the first three games of 2020. But McIntosh did not miss a game after that and played an important role on a wing that was recognised with a fourth-place finish in the Tigers’ best and fairest count. Not a high possession winner – averaging 13.6 disposals – but runs all day, is defensively sound and rated above-average for metres gained this season at 306m a game.
34. JACK GRAHAM
Age: 22 Games: 55 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2023
Was twice dropped earlier in the season but grew as the year went on to play 16 games and finish 11th in the Tigers’ best and fairest. A tough onballer, Graham has played run-with roles on some of the opposition’s best midfielders while also winning plenty of his own ball. He averaged 15 disposals and 3.8 score involvements this season, while also rating as Richmond’s best pressure player and leading tackler.
35. NATHAN BROAD
Age: 27 Games: 70 Contract Status: Out of contract
Interesting one to be without a deal after playing in his third premiership for the Tigers. There has been interest from opposition clubs at the trade table, with Broad still weighing up his options. The backman does not get a lot of plaudits but played 16 games this season and always plays his role, not giving opponents an inch.
36. WILL MARTYN
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
The Tigers’ third pick in the 2019 national draft at No. 44, the midfielder was unsighted this season with the lack of second-tier competitions. Martyn had a foot injury which sidelined him for 10 weeks mid-season but has since recovered from that.
38. NOAH CUMBERLAND
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
The Tigers’ second pick in the 2019 national draft at No. 44, Cumberland had a year to forget after rupturing his ACL at training in May. The injury will mean a delayed start to next season, but the Tigers see the midfielder-forward as a very promising player with a bright future.
39. JAKE AARTS
Age: 25 Games: 14 Contract Status: Out of contract
Made his AFL debut in Round 5 and played every game before being dropped for finals after his form faded a touch. But coach Damien Hardwick expects Aarts to come back better in 2021. He kicked 14 goals from 14 games as a small forward, along with averaging 3.6 score involvements and 2.4 tackles a game.
40. CALLUM COLEMAN-JONES
Age: 21 Games: 1 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Played his only game in Round 10, 2019 as he failed to crack into the senior line up this year. Had been considered a chance to get a game late in the season if he had not been suspended for breaching AFL COVID-19 protocols. Has served six matches of a 10-match suspension for that indiscretion so far.
41. MABIOR CHOL
Age: 23 Games: 21 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Took some further strides forward with his game this year after a promising 2019 season. Played 11 games as a back-up ruckman and forward and kicked eight goals. An athletic 200cm tall but needs to work on impacting more contests and taking more marks in the air as he is prone to fading out of games too often.
42. RYAN GARTHWAITE
Age: 22 Games: 9 Contract Status: Out of contract
Showed plenty of promise as a defender over the past two years, but might seek opportunity elsewhere after failing to crack a senior game in 2020. The mid-sized backman had played seven games in 2019 and two in 2018.
43. DEREK EGGMOLESSE-SMITH
Age: 22 Games: 8 Contract Status: Out of contract
Played six games mid-season this year and did some nice things off halfback but found himself squeezed out of the line-up after some stars returned. Had produced a strong 2019 VFL season, averaging 17.6 disposals and 84 ranking points.
44. SYDNEY STACK
Age: 20 Games: 26 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
Like Coleman-Jones, was suspended for 10 AFL matches after a COVID-19 protocols breach, four games of which he still has to serve in 2021. After a super impressive debut season in 2019, the suspension ended what had been a poor year for Stack. He was dropped after Round 4 and played just nine games, averaging 10.2 disposals and 51 ranking points. The Tigers will be hoping he can bounce back strongly next season.
45. HUGO RALPHSMITH
Age: 18 Games: 0 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
The Tigers’ fourth pick in the 2019 national draft at No. 46, the midfielder-forward is the son of former Hawthorn and St Kilda player Sean Ralphsmith but was unsighted this year due to the lack of second-tier competition.
46. BEN MILLER
Age: 21 Games: 0 Contract Status: Out of contract
The key defender has had three years on Richmond’s list and has not been able to crack a senior game as yet, but was considered close to a call up late in the season. Has been compared to David Astbury in the way he goes about it down back.
47. BIGOA NYUON
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract Status: Contracted until the end of 2021
The Tigers’ last pick in the 2019 national draft at No. 54, the athletic key position prospect is a work in progress. He had been part of St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy before being drafted to Richmond.
50. MARLION PICKETT
Age: 28 Games: 19 Contract Status: Out of contract
Two years, 20 games, two premierships. Not bad for a mature-age pick 13 from the 2019 Mid-Season Rookie Draft. Played 19 of a possible 21 games this season, including all three finals, and averaged 12.2 disposals and 3.3 score involvements. Has a new two-year deal on the table from Richmond that he is expected to sign.
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