Richmond’s Season 2012. Pass or Fail?

[Jroo]

Even though Richmond didn't make the finals and have had some disappointing losses, they have shown plenty of signs to suggest they can be a fantastic team in the future. With wins against both grand finalists Hawthorn and Sydney, 10 of their 11 losses coming under 22 points and having the lowest average losing margin of any team in the AFL, it shows Richmond are not far of becoming a top 8 side. But even though Richmond haven’t set the world on fire like some of the other improved teams this year like Adelaide and North Melbourne they have been impressive in most weeks and only lost by more than 22 points once.  Richmond has definitely improved from last year as they only finished with 8 ½ wins as opposed to 10 ½ this year.

After Richmond’s round 10 win over St.Kilda they looked like they where certain to finish in the top 8 and play finals football for the first time since 2001 and where even a chance to have a top 4 finish! But 8 weeks later in round 18 after 3 consecutive losses under a goal, Richmond’s finals dreams were over.

Midfielders Cotchin, Deledio, Maric, Grigg and Tuck all had there best season ever in 2012. Riewoldt took out the Coleman with 65 goals while Edwards and Nahas where also good options up forward with 63 goals between them. Rance and Morris where solid down back while Conca, Ellis, Batchelor, Grimes, Astbury, Griffiths and Helbig all look like fantastic young players with a lot of potential. Add the #9 draft pick from this year, Chris Knights and Troy Chaplin and Richmond look set for a big 2013!

2012 Stat Leaders
Kicks - Trent Cotchin 372
Handballs - Shane Tuck 310
Disposals - Trent Cotchin  606
Marks - Alex Rance 136
Hit Outs - Ivan Maric 652
Free Kicks - Trent Cotchin 51
Tackles - Shane Tuck 124
Goals - Jack Riewoldt 65

But while Richmond’s season 2012 featured both highs and lows they have shown great signs of improvement and that’s why season 2012 is a pass for me, but just!

What do use think? Was our season 2012 a pass or another failed year?

[Mailman the 2nd]

Barely a pass, as per the reasons you stated. But a pass still

[Kellogscrunchynut]

Pass could have been so much more though.

[Cicjose]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149900/default.aspx

RICHMOND key position player David Astbury has capped his return from a major knee injury by signing a two-year contract extension.

Asbury dislocated his kneecap midway through the 2011 season and returned to the field midway through 2012.

His new deal takes him to the end of the 2014 season.

[tbagrocks]

Maybe guys like Martin and Roo were a little down, but Maric, Cotchin, Rance, Houli, Tuck, Lids were all first class, I think the comp was very deap and the Tige's were very impressive most of the time, I do believe there is big things coming

With Knights, Vickery and Chappy things get better very quickly. I expect big things from Tyrone! Chris Knights to!

[quinny88]

Fail from me.
Finals was the benchmark in 2012. Although it was only a 50/50 at the start of the year the fact is that we were 5-5 after round 10 and had just beaten St.kilda and had a good fixture in the second half of the year and we blew it.
Definitely a major improvement in almost every area in 2012 but it means nothing if you cant find a way to win when your in winnable positions.

Absolutely must take the next step in 2013. The expectations have now risen a notch. We dont make top 8 in 2013 and all hell will break loose

[aces-high]

Honestly showed more than i expected this year! I felt we would have a real tilt in 2013 at playing finals and would be still a fair way off the mark in 2012, but we showed some great signs and have me excited for next year :) Improvement will come from Martin (was down year this year), Tyrone, Chaplin, Knights, Jroo (down year and still won the coleman), Conca, Griffiths and Ellis. Cotch and Lids are elite and our depth looks good in most areas. Would love another solid backup ruck but the tyrone/Ivan combo (injury free) will be more than handy.
KPP's Griffiths, Rance, Chaplin,Vickery, Elton, Mcguanne, Post, Astbury
Half backs/small defenders Houli, Lids Newman, Ellis, Morris, Dea, Batchelor, Conca, Helbig
Midfielders Cotchin, Tuck, Martin, Deledio, Grigg, Foley, Jackson, Arnot
Rucks Maric, Vickery,Elton, Graham?, Dericx?,
Half forwards Martin, Edwards, King, Knights, White, Nahas, O'hanlon, Cotch
+ our upcoming draftees is showing great health and depth! Go Tigers :D

[aces-high]

So to be short i rate it a pass haha promised alot but i honestly didnt expect much coming into the year.

[Jroo]

Fail from me.
Finals was the benchmark in 2012. Although it was only a 50/50 at the start of the year the fact is that we were 5-5 after round 10 and had just beaten St.kilda and had a good fixture in the second half of the year and we blew it.
Definitely a major improvement in almost every area in 2012 but it means nothing if you cant find a way to win when your in winnable positions.

Absolutely must take the next step in 2013. The expectations have now risen a notch. We dont make top 8 in 2013 and all hell will break loose

Good points Quinny. I agree with 2013 part as well

[Nige]

I'd say it was a pass. Not by heaps, but we did enough call it one. To go beyond that and call next season a pass, we'll definitely have to make finals. Oh...and we can't lose to Gold Coast again.