Season on brink for flag favourites Richmond and West Coast

The AFL season resumeed three weeks ago but it’s been a false start for premiership contenders Richmond and West Coast.

West Coast players react to another horror loss, this time to Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

The clash between Richmond and West Coast on the Gold Coast was always going to be hotly anticipated, as both clubs have been excellent over the past three seasons.

At least, that was the initial ­appeal. Now Thursday night’s match is an almost do-or-die ­affair between two teams that were both considered likely premiership contenders this year.

After dominant victories in Round 1 in March, the premiership clubs of the past three seasons are yet to win a match since the resumption of play.

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The champions are on the ropes and fighting to remain in touch with the eight.

They have lacked punch in attack, cohesion across the ground and the speed and skill that once made them so superb.

Aside from the unbeaten Port Adelaide, the evenness of the season means both clubs’ hopes remain alive, with their seasons not yet at crisis point. But their poor form, combined with an abbreviated season, adds urgency to their challenge, with finding a winning solution an immediate priority.

“The season is short. Every win is incredibly valuable, especially early in the season. We have got to start getting some ‘Ws’ in our column,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd is among former champions who have expressed concern for the reigning premiers.

“They are struggling for speed and they are not applying the pressure. Their lack of speed is a real concern for Richmond,” Lloyd told The Sunday Footy Show. “Their pressure is way off and they are super slow at the moment.”

Richmond followed a low-scoring draw against Collingwood to restart the season with losses to Hawthorn and the Saints.

Both sides were well beaten on Saturday, with the Saints appearing fresher and faster than Richmond and West Coast tailing off against Port Adelaide.

There are signs of decline. Tempers are fraying. And the frustration at their inability to deliver what in recent seasons came easily has led to poor discipline.

For Eagles pair Jeremy McGovern and Will Schofield, this has led to suspension or a ­report, the latter for headbutting Zak Butters on Saturday.

The Tigers conceded a couple of goals at crucial times against the Saints with gift free-kicks. Even captain Trent Cotchin lapsed, which allowed the Saints a kick for goal in Richmond’s 26-point loss.

They are the type of errors that rarely occurred when the two clubs were at their peak, with Nick Riewoldt saying the Tigers appeared frustrated.

“This is a team that has achieved great things over the past three years. At the moment, they’re not at that level,” he said on Fox Footy.

Premiers in 2017 and 2019, the Tigers are in the bottom third on the ladder with a percentage of 87.9. They have kicked 20 goals and conceded 31 in three matches since the resumption.

And there has been a dip in form across the board.

Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin is averaging six fewer touches and one goal per match less than last year.

A player ratings system suggests Dion Prestia’s impact has dropped 25 per cent in comparison to a year ago. Jack Riewoldt is averaging one goal a match.

The manner with which teams are using handball and run to move the ball into their attack has also limited the effectiveness of those capable of taking intercept marks and rebounding defence into attack.

Will Schofield has been reported for this incident with Zak Butters. pic.twitter.com/UN4GHndM9L

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Richmond have been more competitive than the Eagles, who sit at 16th with a percentage of just 68.75, above only the winless Dockers and Crows. The Eagles are yet to kick more than six goals in a match since the restart, while their rivals have booted 37 against them.

Coach Adam Simpson said their problems were deeper than simply failing to adjust to life in the hub, citing a lack of consistency and discipline.

The Eagles had six players in 2019 who rated above 90 (out of 100) on an amalgamation of different statistical measurements. This year, Andrew Gaff is the only Eagle above that level.

Even in a 17-round season, there is still time to atone for their false start. But not much.