The Richmond Football Club is fresh of winning its first wooden spoon in 17 years and Adem Yze’s short time at the helm has been nothing short of tumultuous, through no real fault of his own. After completing a successful dynasty and striving to keep the premiership window open for a number of seasons, rebuild time is now for Richmond.
The Tigers’ effort to prolong their time at the top was evident as they traded future picks to beef up the engine room adding Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto (both from GWS) prior to the commencement of the 2023 season. These signings had Richmond fans optimistic about what was to come as they desperately chased that feeling of premiership glory for a fourth time in a short period. The way it has turned out for Hopper and Taranto is unfortunate as they were promised the world. They were promised a seamless transition into a premiership-winning team as Richmond desperately attempted to give the flag tilt one more shake, which looked realistic at the time. This pair also came to the club under the expectation that they would be coached by a senior coach who had proved himself in Damien Hardwick. Having heard Hopper and Taranto speak in the media, I think they are ready and optimistic about the challenge but there is no doubt that Richmond wouldn't have traded all of those future picks away at the time if they knew they would be in the position they find themselves in currently. As a significant amount of experience departs Punt Road this off season through retirements and trades, this rebuild will take time but there is a plethora of young talent for Yze to work with, or many "new toys" in the words of Dimma.
Hardwick’s mid-season departure in 2023 was the beginning of the end for the Tigers. Did Damien Hardwick stuff the club around? Well yes and no. Was it the right idea to trade away picks when still in the premiership window? Yes. Did it work out according to plan? No, it definitely didn’t.
Richmond fans and the club can find some comfort in the fact that they made the most of their premiership window. After a 37-year drought, three premierships in four years (including a losing prelim – yes, the Mason Cox game) is the definition of capitalising on opportunity. Maybe the fans recognise that you can’t stay at the top forever unless you’re Sydney, Geelong or Collingwood, and it is a rite of passage or perhaps even a circle of success. If you take a quick look at the Melbourne Demons, it quickly puts it in perspective. While the Demons secured a long-awaited flag in 2021, two straight exits have seen a dynasty go begging. The wheels appear to have fallen off at Melbourne and their once formidable side which was full of premiership stars doesn’t even begin to compare to their current side.
Hawthorn Blueprint
Richmond will definitely take some learnings and optimism from the way Hawthorn have fast-tracked their rebuild. The club is the most recent and best example of how to essentially take years off the process. After losing their first five games in 2024, the return to finals was thought to be 10 years away and while the momentum shift didn’t happen overnight, it has provided optimism to struggling clubs. There are hundreds of reasons as to why and how the Hawks have transformed themselves into genuine premiership contenders this year, but Sam Mitchell’s brilliance as coach cannot be understated. Mitchell had his fair share of doubters when he took the lead role at Hawthorn as part of a succession plan to supersede Alastair Clarkson. When the succession plan didn’t go exactly to plan, there were some questions asked of the club and the way they handled the transition. But one thing was clear, they saw huge potential in Mitchell and definitely didn’t want to risk missing out on acquiring his services as senior coach.
Mitchell was a new coach much like Adem Yze, but he wasn’t afraid to do it his way and didn’t waste any time trying to lure the players he knew would fit into the game plan he was trying to build. And now all of a sudden, they are playing in September and firming as a serious challenge for any team who meets them. It is far too early to call for Yze’s head or even question his game plan given the huge injury toll that the side has faced throughout 2024. But the numbers show it is Richmond’s worst ever season going off their 2-21 win-loss record and externally people will look for Yze to throw away ‘the nice guy’ label and take full control over his side. I’m a big fan in giving a coach adequate time at the helm to build what they want, strongly because of how Damien Hardwick responded after being almost sacked in 2016. But if Yze is to survive the entire rebuild, he will have to make the big decisions, the club will have to nail the draft and he will have to generate an effective game plan that holds up against the best sides in the competition. Yze has probably faced a little bit of ‘imposter syndrome’ throughout his first year as coach. While I don’t think players at Richmond have driven their own agendas this year, it is hard to come in and make the hard decisions surrounding highly respected club legends. I think this will become easier following some of the retirements and trades.
Mass Exodus at Tigerland
There is no way to describe the departure of so much experience other than as a ‘mass exodus’. It truly is the end of an era. Dustin Martin, who has had a huge impact on the success of the club and the game, has hung up the boots. It was an emotional farewell for a player who will forever be remembered as one of the greats, especially among the Richmond faithful to which he provided so much joy. Dylan Grimes who epitomises everything you want in a player also called time after an incredibly successful career, a true warrior and leader. Two-time premiership hero Marlion Pickett played his last game at AFL level in Round 23. Who could ever forget the history-making premiership debut against the Giants and the unselfish play from Dusty which gifted him his first goal and produced an almighty roar from the Tiger Army. Pickett is not only etched in Richmond’s history but will remain as one of the greatest fairytale stories that the league has ever played host to. Sam Naismith is another Tiger to hang up the boots despite having not played many games in the senior team due to a poor run with injuries.
Shai Bolton requested a trade to go back home Western Australia and found himself a new home at Fremantle. While this was understandable for family reasons and the fact that he is still in his prime years chasing success, it was disappointing for Richmond fans who know how special a player like Bolton is. Other things which make it more disappointing include the fact that he was contracted for four more years (until the end of 2028) and just 25 years old.
Daniel Rioli was traded to the Gold Coast Suns to reunite with former premiership coach Damien Hardwick after formally requesting a trade last year. It cannot be understated how important a dashing half-back could be for the Suns’ side this year. It may be exactly what they need to play finals this season which is a must after a disappointing 2024 season. Rioli is 27 years old and playing some of the best football of his career.
Liam Baker was Richmond’s vice-captain and remains one of the most courageous players in the competition. The hard nut requested a trade back to Western Australia and landed at West Coast. Baker grew up as a mad Eagles fan idolising the likes of Ben Cousins, Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr and was happy to touch down in the land of Harley Reid. The 26-year-old was out of contract and jumped off the sinking ship at the right time. It would've no doubt been hard for Richmond fans to see Baker getting kicks against the Tigers in the pre-season clash today. He is a player that is very easy to love. His courage, work rate, as well as his humble and light-hearted personality off- field have always stood out and were some of the things that made him so valued at Punt Road.
Perhaps the most interesting trade was that of two-time premiership Tiger, Jack Graham or ‘Fridge’ as he was more affectionately known within the club. Graham was out of contract as a free agent, and ultimately chose a four-year deal from West Coast over a “really good” offer that Richmond put in front of him.
Graham played in the 2017 grand final against Adelaide as a fresh 18-year-old in just his fifth game of AFL football which feels like yesterday. I have always seen incredible leadership in him and the way he plays, seeing him as genuine captain material. Maybe even Trent Cotchin’s predecessor, or so I thought. At the ripe age of 26, he still has plenty left in the tank. However, his performances in recent years have been underwhelming and despite everyone else leaving, I was somewhat surprised to see the Tigers offer him a new deal. The move to West Coast was a win-win in my opinion. It helped to bolster Richmond's phenomenal draft stock and allows Graham to reinvent himself, in a career move that I think he needed.
You can read about all of Richmond's draft picks below in an in-depth analysis that I published late last year.
All photos are owned by Blair Burns and are not to be re-used without permission.
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