AFL season review: Adem Yze facing huge challenge to rebuild Richmond as end of era looms

Dustin Martin gone. Daniel Rioli on the way out. And a host of other stars who could join them. Adem Yze is set to face one of footy’s greatest rebuilds as Richmond’s grand era comes to an abrupt end.

They say Father Time is undefeated, and Richmond is just another victim in his impressive record.

Not long ago the Tigers were one of the unstoppable forces in the AFL, touted as many as one of the great dynasties in football history.

The abrupt departure of Damien Hardwick halfway through 2023 was seen as the start of the slide, but 2024 that trickle turned into a waterfall.

Richmond on Saturday secured the wooden spoon, with its 21st loss in 23 games, and farewelled both on-field and off-field champions of the club.

Liam Baker is tipped to leave Richmond as part of a mass exodus. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Tigers will be without the retiring Dustin Martin, Marlion Pickett, Dylan Grimes and Sam Naismith, will likely lose Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham to rival clubs, while Brendan Gale and Neil Balme have left their respective off-field roles.

Richmond is completely starting fresh, and have a chance to bring in a core of young talent at the draft to kick-start a rebuild that was delayed under Hardwick as he chased more premiership success.

CONTRACT CALLS

The list decisions, particularly with big-name contracted players, will define the long-term future of the club.

Bolton and Rioli are both contracted until at least 2027, but are open to moving clubs and both would fetch at least one first-round pick and possibly more.

Baker will also likely move clubs, with West Coast and Fremantle both interested, but the out-of-contract vice-captain is not a free agent.

Graham is exploring free agency and will likely land the Tigers a decent compensation pick, meaning if the club decides to clean house, they could end up with at least four first-round selections in this year’s draft.

Shai Bolton is keen to head west. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Daniel Rioli has requested a trade to Gold Coast. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Armed with the first overall selection, the Tigers have plenty of options.

They have trialled multiple contenders for the top pick in the VFL, with Jagga Smith, Harvey Langford and Finn O’Sullivan all rolling through the Tigers’ midfield at Punt Rd.

Smith is the likely candidate for the top pick, with the smooth-moving midfielder recently beating out Josh Smillie for the consensus number-one pick option.

Jagga Smith looms as Richmond’s possible No.1 draft pick. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

COACHING CALLS

Adem Yze was under the pump from day one, with some of the side’s veteran leaders spending more time in the medical room than on the training track.

It’s hard to build a new game plan and implement strategies into a side as a first-year coach if there is no consistency with the team picked each week.

There were 42 players featured at senior level for Richmond in 2024, more than any other team in the competition.

The constant revolving door of players in and out of the side made it difficult for any game plan to stick.

The midfield group was under constant pressure, with young and inexperienced players rolling through at times.

Adem Yze had a torrid first year in charge at Punt Rd. Picture: Michael Klein

Their clearance differential and scoring from clearances was the second worst in the competition, while they were the worst centre clearance team.

The Tigers did learn to score from turnover as a result, becoming the fourth-best team to capitalise from turnover in the final six games of the season.

While there is no real pressure on Yze at the end of the season, with more pain expected in 2025, there will be an expectation that the kids start to show signs of growth next year.

Rebuilding coaches are rarely at the club to see the fruits of their labour start to bloom, at the absence of young talent at the club is apparent.

But if the Tigers land a major first-round draft haul in November, the future will be bright under Yze.

2025 PREVIEW

It is shaping to be another year of pain for the Tigers. They will blood their draft picks early and often, and hope they don’t have as many injury issues as they did last year.
Tim Taranto will be the Tigers’ best player next year, with the midfielder hitting his prime in his third year at the club.

He’ll have a young midfield core around him and will be an important contested ball winner.

Taranto moved from the Giants along with Jacob Hopper with the allure of premiership success, but the club has gone backwards.

Hopper came on a big-money contract but has battled injuries during his time at Richmond, managing just 28 games in two seasons.

Tim Taranto and the Tigers are facing years of pain. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

With a young midfielder coming to the club with the first overall pick, Hopper will need to find some consistency in 2025 to help ease the burden of expectations on an 18-year-old’s debut season.

Toby Nankervis led from the front in 2024 as captain and will likely hold onto the mantle next year, having just turned 30 and playing some of his best footy.

But with Baker likely out the door and some of the senior players leaving, the Tigers will need the next generation stepping into leadership roles.

Noah Balta is one who could make the move into the leadership group, while Jayden Short is likely to remain as a vice-captain.

WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTION: 18th (4-19)

Originally published as AFL season review: Adem Yze facing huge challenge to rebuild Richmond as end of era looms