Richmond season 2025 preview: Matt Turner breaks down where the Tigers sit
Richmond have undergone a serious makeover since their dynasty, and with so much turnover in talent, what can we truly expect? MATT TURNER breaks down where they are at.
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The glory days of the Tigers are well and truly gone, now they are the young cubs.
After a tough first season at the helm, followed by a mass exodus of some senior players, what can Adem Yze do with all the talent at Tigerland?
SURPRISE PACKET OF 2024
Seth Campbell played 21 of the Tigers’ 23 matches, won the club’s best first-year player award and finished 11th in Jack Dyer Medal polling. It was a strong return for the rookie-listed small forward/midfielder who was drafted from Burnie and North Launceston in Tasmania, and spent most of his first season in 2023 recovering from an adductor injury and leg issues. Campbell, who debuted in Opening Round, averaged 11.3 disposals, 2.9 marks, 2.7 inside-50s, 3.7 score involvements and kicked 10 goals. The 19-year-old earnt high praise from Richmond development coach Sam Lonergan at the club’s best-and-fairest night. “He’s going to be a highlights package of energy and excitement,” Lonergan said. “And he’s got great work ethic, dedication, along with great spirit. I’d like to commend our recruiting team for the work they’ve done with finding an absolute gem in the rough. He’s going to be a long-term player and a key part of our future.”
INS AND OUTS
IN: Jasper Alger (No. 58 draft pick), Harry Armstrong (No. 23 draft pick), Jonty Faull (No. 14 draft pick), Taj Hotton (No. 12 draft pick), Sam Lalor (No. 1 draft pick), Thomas Sims (No. 28 draft pick), Josh Smillie (No. 7 draft pick), Luke Trainor (No. 21 draft pick)
OUT: Liam Baker (trade, West Coast), Shai Bolton (trade, Fremantle), Matthew Coulthard (delisted), Noah Cumberland (delisted), Jack Graham (free agent, West Coast), Dylan Grimes (retired), Dustin Martin (retired), Marlion Pickett (retired), Sam Naismith (retired), Daniel Rioli (trade, Gold Coast)
WHO’S PLAYING FOR A CONTRACT?
Tom Lynch’s seven-season deal expires at the end of 2025 and it will be interesting to see what happens next. At 32 and after two premierships with the Tigers, does the key forward sign a 12-month extension or head to a contender? Lynch’s immediate goal will be to get back on the park. The former Gold Coast Suns spearhead has played just four games in each of the past two campaigns due to injuries.
LAST YEAR IN CONTRACT
Sam Banks, Jacob Bauer, Jacob Blight, Tom Brown, Judson Clarke, Thomson Dow, Liam Fawcett, Campbell Gray, Steely Green, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Tom Lynch, Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Kaleb Smith, Tyler Sonsie, James Trezise, Tylar Young
POSITION THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED AND WHO CAN FILL IT?
Rioli’s move to Gold Coast opens a spot at half-back, where Sam Banks and Hugo Ralphsmith loom as players who can help fill the void. Banks did not miss a game after the Tigers’ bye this year, for a total of 15 last season, his third at AFL level. Tasmanian Banks featured in defence and on a wing in 2024, but was drafted as a half-back. Ralphsmith lined up in 18 matches this year and finished equal-16th in the best-and-fairest. While he featured regularly on a wing, he might be an option to move to defence with Rioli gone.
BURNING QUESTION
How many wins is realistic next season? Richmond’s two victories in Yze’s debut campaign as senior coach were against eventual grand finalist Sydney at the MCG by five points in round 5 and the Crows in Adelaide by eight points in round 15. Since then three of the top six in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest have departed and the squad has got a whole lot younger. Crows premiership captain Mark Bickley predicted Richmond would be winless in 2025. That seems unrealistic. It has not happened since Fitzroy in 1964 and similarly inexperienced teams in the AFL era have always notched at least one victory. In the club’s second season in 2013, GWS went 1-21. Three years later, an Essendon team missing 12 experienced players through doping violation suspensions had three wins. Strugglers North Melbourne and West Coast recorded two triumphs each in 2023. With premiership players like Toby Nankervis, Nathan Broad, Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short still at Tigerland, and such an even competition, two to four wins seems a more likely outcome.
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