2016 Best 22

[quinny88]

I think Yarran. Got a feeling we will see Houli higher up the ground and across half forward a bit more this year. Was experimented with a few times last year and worked really well. He also eluded to it in an interview on the RFC website

[Nige]

So the AFL site has put all the best 22s post-drafts. Here's ours:



B: Dylan Grimes, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlastuin 
HB: Chris Yarran, Alex Rance, Bachar Houli
C: Brandon Ellis, Anthony Miles, Kamdyn McIntosh
HF: Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
F: Ben Lennon, Ty Vickery, Shane Edwards
Foll: Ivan Maric, Trent Cotchin, Jacob Townsend
I/C: Corey Ellis, Shaun Grigg, Jake Batchelor, Ben Griffiths

DEPTH
Key-position defenders: David Astbury, Nathan Broad, Todd Elton
General defenders: Taylor Hunt, Steven Morris
Key-position forwards: Liam McBean, Reece McKenzie, Callum Moore*
General forwards: Sam Lloyd, Oleg Markov, Daniel Rioli
Midfielders: Dan Butler, Jason Castagna*, Reece Conca, Nathan Drummond, Kane Lambert, Adam Marcon*, Connor Menadue, Andrew Moore, Jayden Short*
Rucks: Mabior Chol*, Shaun Hampson, Ivan Soldo*

Recruit Jacob Townsend is selected ahead of Reece Conca because of his inside strengths and the fact he was recruited to play a specific role in support of Trent Cotchin and Anthony Miles. Townsend also forces Kane Lambert out of the team. In the backline Chris Yarran is selected on a flank, where Richmond has stated it would like to play him. This gives the team two solid rebounding options. Nick Vlastuin is not expected to make a transition into the midfield in 2016 and remains a lockdown specialist in this 22, forcing Jake Batchelor (who is still required for height) on to the bench and the versatile Dylan Grimes to play tall. Corey Ellis is expected to entrench himself in the best 22 and Kamdyn McIntosh already has. - Nathan Schmook



I think it's true that Conca, Lambert, Townsend are fighting for one spot. Moore is depth until he proves otherwise while Hunt is depth.

The forwards are pretty much no surprise, Lids and Dusty will obviously have midfield minutes but get opportunities forward.

Rioli might get a run at some stage this year and Griffiths really has to prove that the three talls approach (Jack, Ty, Griff) works for us or he'll be swapped out for a small or for McBean.

I think Grigg and Chappy have been great servants for the club and play their roles well, Grigg arguably come off a career best year, but with the younger guys coming through, I reckon both could be on notice to perform well enough or risk being moved on for a new and younger fella.

[Toga]

I don't see Lambert getting squeezed out

[Kellogscrunchynut]

Talk about overrated, Townsend would be lucky to play 5 games.

[quinny88]

Roll on round 1

[Bully]

Interesting they have Broad as key position depth, based on my conversation with Rico I'm not so sure about that. We actually seem very thin in defence, pray that Rance, Grimes & Chaplin maintain their fitness.

[quinny88]

Interesting they have Broad as key position depth, based on my conversation with Rico I'm not so sure about that. We actually seem very thin in defence, pray that Rance, Grimes & Chaplin maintain their fitness.

Yeah I wouldn't have thought broad was a key defender.

Rance, Chaplin and Astbury are all very capable and then Grimes and Batchelor can play tall or small

[Nige]

Herald Sun article on the Richmond best 22: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-tigers-best-22-2016-ben-griffiths-needs-luck-kamdyn-mcintosh-ready-to-shine-/news-story/baa8d59a0ddfa209f99716320fcfffac

THREE years and three elimination final exits.

Also known as the Tiger conundrum or the stuff of nightmares for coach Damien Hardwick.

Yet, not much needs to change for Richmond to head deep into September next year, with its best 22 largely unchanged from this season.

But one Tiger will be hoping something does change â€" his luck.

Ben Griffiths was part of the Tigers’ three-pronged tall forward attack before a shocking run of injuries disrupted the form he’d been trying to find for years.

Not only did he miss games through concussion and a minor calf strain, but he was also sidelined for eight weeks after requiring two separate surgeries on his shoulder and finger.

“The off season gives you a lot of time to reflect and look at the stuff that you need to work on,” Ben Griffiths told the club website.

“You can go back to the drawing board, and start afresh on day one of preseason.

“The way im going at the moment, I’m definitely pushing myself to new levels.

“I’ve trimmed down a little bit to try and increase my endurance, but for me, the main thing is contested marking, as it is for most of the taller guys.”

Despite missing a large chunk of the season, Griffiths returned for the Tigers’ elimination final loss to North Melbourne.

Outmuscled by the eighth-placed Kangaroos, Griffiths says the Tigers’ focus this off-season has been on their physicality.

“We need to get that ruthlessness about us and I think we’re all working extremely hard against each other and against ourselves to drive better standards and get better,” Griffiths said.

“The competition within the club is great because it forces each and every one of us to train harder and get better, which in turn is a better thing for the club so the competition can only be a really positive thing for us.”

LOCKS

Alex Rance, Bachar Houli, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Ivan Maric, Anthony Miles, Brett Deledio

RISING STAR

Daniel Rioli

The standout at this year’s draft combine, Rioli has elite speed and endurance, not to mention that very famous surname. Originally from the Tiwi Islands, Rioli recorded the fastest time in the 30 metre repeat sprints, and finished in the top 10 in four other categories to receive the award for best all-round performer at the combine. Already, he’s confident that he’s faster than “cousin” Cyril Rioli.

THE BUBBLE

Kamdyn McIntosh

The 21-year-old’s AFL debut in Round 1 was outstanding. Not only did he collect 23 disposals, nine marks and a goal, but was also awarded with a Rising Star nomination. He went on to play in all 23 games for the Tigers, averaging 15.4 disposals in what was an impressively consistent debut season. With another preseason under his belt, the WA native possesses all the qualities to become one of the Tigers’ elite players next year.

IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR ...

Dustin Martin

And not because the 24-year-old needs to prove himself on the field. Rarely beaten one-on-one, Martin capped off his wonderful 2015 season with a second placing in the Richmond best and fairest. But then December happened and the well-documented chopstick incident, which is now the subject of a police investigation. Regardless of the outcome, it’s going to be a big year for Martin, who will face some kind of internal sanction from the Tigers.

RICHMOND’S BEST 22

B: Jake Batchelor, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes

HB: Bachar Houli, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlaustin

C: Brandon Ellis, Trent Cotchin, Chris Yarran

HF: Dustin Martin, Tyrone Vickery, Brett Deledio

F: Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt, Ben Griffiths

FOLL: Ivan Maric, Anthony Miles, Kane Lambert

I/C: Shaun Grigg, Reece Conca, Taylor Hunt, Kamdyn McIntosh

EMERGENCY: Ben Lennon, Sam Lloyd, Steve Morris

OTHERS: David Astbury, Nathan Broad, Daniel Butler, Nathan Drummond, Corey Ellis, Todd Elton, Oleg Markov, Liam McBean, Reece McKenzie, Connor Menadue, Andrew Moore, Shaun Hampson, Daniel Rioli, Jacob Townsend

ROOKIES: Jason Castagna, Mabior Chol, Adam Marcon, Callum Moore, Jayden Short, Ivan Soldo

[tbagrocks]

You all are missing Richmond's most important player in their best 22 ;)

The shrink ;D

[powersuperkents]

You all are missing Richmond's most important player in their best 22 ;)

The shrink ;D

Better than the Crow's most important player...

Michael Talia  ;D

[frenzy]

You all are missing Richmond's most important player in their best 22 ;)

The shrink ;D

ROFL  ;D

[Nige]

Yaz is battling a calf issue and probably won't play for the first 'third' of the year according to Dimma. Means one more spot for a bunch of blokes to battle over.

[Football Factory]

Yaz is battling a calf issue and probably won't play for the first 'third' of the year according to Dimma. Means one more spot for a bunch of blokes to battle over.

Hopefully he gives birth soon  ;D   :-X

[quinny88]

Broad hopefully! Good for SuperCoach

[Nige]

I still really want Castagna to be elevated and given a shot.