AFL 2022: A look at how the Tigers are shaping up ahead of Round 1
After a disappointing 2021 campaign, there is plenty of buzz out of Punt Rd. And one young gun in particular is set to feature early doors. TRAINING NOTES
Watch out – these Tigers are on the prowl again.
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“The pundits may write us off and see that 2021 was maybe the start of the down spiral of the Richmond Football Club, but we feel like we’re in a good position,” he said.
“We’ve enjoyed our time training.
“In 2018 we were flag favourites and were bundled out in the prelim … I remember Kane Lambert saying then that there was a feeling about ‘redemption’.
“Maybe there is a small feel about that, that this is a chance for us to stamp our mark on the competition again. Everyone starts at 0-0 and we’re excited for obviously that Round 1 game against Carlton.”
CUBS ARE PURRING
A recent trip to Bright – with an Amazing Race theme under Damien Hardwick’s watch – further solidified the strong relationships at Tigerland and confirmed Jack Riewoldt’s suspicion that the five new Tigers are more than ready for what the AFL system will bring. Josh Gibcus was Richmond’s top pick at the draft and has lived up to the hype, and could well feature early in the season. Has shown plenty in recent weeks and is providing plenty of excitement at Punt Road.
TOM TO BE TIP-TOP
Premiership forward Tom Lynch has battled a hamstring issue in recent weeks but has been backed to play in Round 1 – and maybe sooner. He was on light duties in Thursday’s main session, alongside Kamdyn McIntosh and Kane Lambert, with a cautious approach favoured given his previous injury issues. He was back running almost immediately in the rehabilitation program and should feature in the pre-season series.
SOLDO ON SONG
Big Ivan Soldo is back after his knee reconstruction and looked in top shape in Thursday’s training session at Punt Road. He looked to have added some size in the wake of his knee injury and will again look to work in conjunction with fellow big man Toby Nankervis. And don’t fret, facial hair enthusiasts – the famous ‘mo’ remains intact and thriving.
SHOW US YOUR SKILLS
Slick skills have been firmly on the agenda at Richmond this off-season, with former Carlton coach David Teague also bringing some offensive flair to the mix after being added as an assistant coach. Forward Jack Riewoldt said the team’s game style – which was in full fast flight on Thursday morning with quick hands and clean passages to the forward line – won’t change drastically from recent years, but there has been a particular focus on honing their craft with countless “skills minutes” under their belts.
BACK FOR JACK
Premiership player and captaincy candidate Jack Graham was restricted to walking laps at Richmond on Thursday as he battles a mild back and hamstring issue that isn’t expected to hamper his preparations for the season
Riewoldt weighs in on Richmond’s big captaincy call
Jack Riewoldt says he would step up as Richmond captain if asked as the Tigers rally around a grieving Dustin Martin who has been backed to return as the “bull” that rammed through 2017.
The Tigers remain without a skipper just 41 days out from Round 1 after Trent Cotchin stepped down as the longest-serving leader in the club’s history after last season.
Riewoldt — who has served as vice-captain since 2017 — said he would “step up and do it” if asked, but said as he nears the end of his career it was up to the club whether it wanted a short or long term figure at the helm.
“If the club wanted me to do it, I’d just step up and do it,” he said.
“I’ve captained the football club when Trent has been injured. There’s a whole host of factors you’ve got to take into it … there’s some older players, like myself and Shane (Edwards) who are coming towards the end of their careers. Do they want to go for a short-term captain, or someone else who might have a three, four, five-year capacity as captain.
“It’s a great strength and a great position to be in that we have got three or four options in terms of the demographic of players to select from,” he said.
“We’re very fortunate to be in that position.”
Martin is one name that has been thrown up, alongside the likes of Jack Graham, Tom Lynch, Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin.
The Brownlow medallist endured an off-season like no other, including a gruelling kidney injury that stripped him of some 15 kilograms in October and the recent death of his New Zealand-based father, Shane.
And it could be through the midfield that he runs riot again after a few years contributing up forward.
“I don’t think he really harbours too much want to become the best player in the competition, I think he just wants to be the best version of himself,” Riewoldt said.
“He’s got a bit of a buzz around him at the moment, and I feel like there is a little bit of hunger there to get back to where he was.”
Riewoldt said the team had rallied behind their mate in the wake of Martin’s father’s death in December, which had only been compounded by an inability to travel in the months leading up to his passing and subsequently to farewell the 54-year-old.
“It’s been a really difficult time … amplified with the fact that he wasn’t able to go and see him and didn’t get to see him before his passing,” Riewoldt said.
“As mates more than anything, you rally around your friend and provide the support that you can. We’ve all tried to do that, especially the older guys who have got a great relationship with Dustin and been through thick and thin in terms of the premierships … you try and support them as much as possible.
“Unfortunately nothing that we say or do will replace his father being here. Like anything, when someone suddenly passes, there’s a real grieving period. I’ve obviously been through that (after cousin Madelaine passed away) … the initial support is there, but it’s the support that we’ll provide him down the track when no doubt it will affect him at some point.”
Riewoldt also flagged a return to where the triple-premiership Tiger did his best work in his Brownlow Medal-winning 2017 campaign.
“The way we use him this year will be interesting as well,” he said.
“He’s such a talented player — we may push him into the midfield a little bit more to see if we can get that bull from 2017 back again.
“Do I think he can? I’ve got full belief in Dustin. He’s always taken his game to the next level. When I thought that he might be at his peak, he’s been able to go again, so we look forward to seeing him back out there.”
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