The outside contenders

[Jroo]

Thats a big if when talking about Knights and Grimes remaining fit. I agree Grimes is a key factor to your team but the kid can't stay on the park whilst Knights has never been able to play a full season.

You would hope guys like Griffiths, Arnot,  McDonough and McBean will improve as they have barely played a game whilst Hampson will never improve. He had what 6 seasons to do something at Carlton and he did absolute squat.

Looking at your depth compared to the rest of the teams in the top 8 you probably have the worst and this isn't me just on a vendetta against Richmond its the truth.

You barely have any mid depth you key defensive stocks are one of the worst in the league.

Fair enough.
What I meant was Griffiths, Arnot, McDonouts and McBean all have talent and a few of them will break into the team.
Hampson was third in line at Carlton and was forced to play as a forward. When playing as a ruckman he's actually played well.
Our depth isn't shower.

Richmond's best 22
B: Morris Chaplin Grimes
HB: Petterd Rance Houli
M: Ellis Jackson Deledio
HF: S.Edwards Vickery King
F: Martin Riewoldt Hampson
Foll: Maric Cotchin Conca
Int: Newman, Grigg, Vlastuin
Sub: Foley

Reserves
Key Defenders: Astbury, Griffiths, Darrou*
Medium Defenders: Batchelor, McIntosh
Defenders: Dea
Midfielders: Helbig, Arnot, Gordon, Thomas*, Miles*
Rucks: Stephenson*
Key Forwards: McBean, Elton
Medium Forwards: A.Edwards, O'Hanlon, Lennon
Forwards:Knights, McDonough, Lloyd, Banfield*, Williams*, Simon*

We've got five players who are capable of playing as a key defender, with AFL experience. I think that's pretty good.
Our mid depth is fine too, we've got plenty who can rotate in there and Helbig, Arnot, Gordon, Thomas and Miles aren't spuds.

[Noz]

None of those players you listed a capable of being serviceable for several weeks if needed.

6 of those have been recruited from previous AFL clubs where they didn't do anything for their previous clubs whilst the rest of them have barely seen any AFL games.

[Jroo]

Naming everyone on Richmond's AFL list doesnt count as great depth otherwise every team in the AFL has great depth.

None of those players you listed a capable of being serviceable for several weeks if needed.

6 of those players are all 2nd hand players who couldn't do anything for their previous clubs whilst the rest of them have barely seen any AFL games.

Really, most of our depth players are capable of playing at AFL level for many weeks, IMO.
Apart from Darrou, McIntosh, Gordon, Elton, Lloyd, Williams who are youngsters, the rest are decent depth.

[Noz]

Anyways AFL is proving to be more and more unpredictable so like Mailman said before no one can really predict whats going to happen this season until round 1 starts.

[Jroo]

Anyways AFL is proving to be more and more unpredictable so like Mailman said before no one can really predict whats going to happen this season until round 1 starts.

Yeah true Noz, but until then we got this thread  ::)

[specky92]

Yeah not great depth, Knights & Edwards look like the only ones comfortable at AFL level. Having said that McBean and Lennon have very nice potential along with a few midfielders but this year it's not going to be great

[Jroo]

Yeah not great depth, Knights & Edwards look like the only ones comfortable at AFL level. Having said that McBean and Lennon have very nice potential along with a few midfielders but this year it's not going to be great

I think our back depth is good.
Astbury, Griffiths are more than capable playing as the third tall.
Batchelor and Dea aren't bad too.
Mids and fwds are fine too, while we have big O as a ruck depth.
I think our depth is fine, it's been a while since a Tiger side has had more than 22 players capable of playing at AFL level. :P

[quinny88]

Richmonds depth no good? WTF! It's one of the better depths in the league at the moment.

Our midfield is classed as one of the best in the league not just by Richmond people but every commentator and so called expert.
Cotchin
Deledio
Martin
Jackson
Conca
Foley
Vlastuin
Ellis
Edwards
Grigg
Arnot
McDonough
Thompson
Miles

Sounds like a pretty strong and deep batting midfield to me.
If we lost a KPP we would struggle but name a team that wouldn't?

Noz seriously get over you're hate for Richmond, it's getting to your head
Tiges will finish top 6 and every chance to finish top 4

[TeeJay]

Tiger fans save your breathe.
The tiger haters group will grow more and more as they get better and better.
Don't know how many of you fellas were around in the 70's but Richmond were always as hated as Collingwood.
Why? Because they have a huge supporter base and they are successful. People can't handle it.
Let their footy do the talking. They are set for a successful era starting this year. Sit back and enjoy and let the peanuts throw in their uneducated predictions based on nothing but pure hope that Richmond fail.
They are the best team and list outside of the top 4 and have everything on their side to push for top 4, it's up to them now

[Noz]

Richmonds depth no good? WTF! It's one of the better depths in the league at the moment.

Our midfield is classed as one of the best in the league not just by Richmond people but every commentator and so called expert.
Cotchin
Deledio
Martin
Jackson
Conca
Foley
Vlastuin
Ellis
Edwards
Grigg
Arnot
McDonough
Thompson
Miles

All of those players are in your best 22 so pretty much your only depth in the midfield is Arnot (4 games), McDonough (1 game), Thomas (At his 2nd club didn't so much at his first), Miles (At his 2nd club didn't so much at his first)
Most of your team can push through and play in the midfield but if you were to have 1 or even 2 serious injuries in the middle you have a lack of players capable of filling the holes

[Ringo]

To be honest can not see any team from outside last years top 4 coming in - The only team that may slip may be Geelong but will they slip enough to go from 3 to outside the top 4.

Richmond will finish 5th and positions 6 - 8 can be filled from any of 10 teams imo and will depend on form and injuries.

My couple of cents worth to the argument.

[Noz]

Richmond are putting themselves in a damaging position in the future years as the gap between their young players and younger are becoming greater and greater they have 12 players at the age of 20 or younger with the average game of just 6. 74 games have been played by the 12 players and 42 of them belong to Ellis whilst 18 of them belong to Vlastiun.

[quinny88]

Richmonds depth no good? WTF! It's one of the better depths in the league at the moment.

Our midfield is classed as one of the best in the league not just by Richmond people but every commentator and so called expert.
Cotchin
Deledio
Martin
Jackson
Conca
Foley
Vlastuin
Ellis
Edwards
Grigg
Arnot
McDonough
Thompson
Miles

All of those players are in your best 22 so pretty much your only depth in the midfield is Arnot (4 games), McDonough (1 game), Thomas (At his 2nd club didn't so much at his first), Miles (At his 2nd club didn't so much at his first)
Most of your team can push through and play in the midfield but if you were to have 1 or even 2 serious injuries in the middle you have a lack of players capable of filling the holes

Lol what does that matter? Depth isn't just your reserves players. Everyone's best midfielders play in their 22, it's about how many guys you can rotate through there. So if one or 2 went down then one or 2 would just spend more time in the middle and all of those guys are capable of playing permanent midfield roles if needed.
Obviously if we lost Cotchin and lids or something we would be stuffed as any team that lost their 2 best mids would be.
How would collingwood go without Pendles and Swan?
Port without Boak and Ebert?
Geelong without Selwood and Stevie J?
Every team would be screwed.
Richmond have more guys capable of filling holes than most teams though.

[quinny88]

Richmond are putting themselves in a damaging position in the future years as the gap between their young players and younger are becoming greater and greater they have 12 players at the age of 20 or younger with the average game of just 6. 74 games have been played by the 12 players and 42 of them belong to Ellis whilst 18 of them belong to Vlastiun.

Yeah that's the sign of having a settled side pushing for top 4 mate. We blooded countless kids when Dimma first came in and got games Into them all so they could step up. He turned over half the list over and We got belted for 2-3 years and are now seeing the rewards of it.
It's also the reason we now have our own VFL side so they can be coached and developed to step straight in.
Stop trying to nit pick and find things wrong with Richmond  ::) were in a good position just admit it.

[Noz]

None of your young players apart from Vlastiun, Conca and Ellis who are already in your best 22 will push towards best 22 selection because the club hasn't given them any chance to impress in the AFL instead they continue to recruit players from other clubs who have done nothing and give them first option over their kids

Grigg, Houli, Maric, Hampson, Knights, Chaplin, Stephenson, Thomas, Petterd, Gordan, Banfield and Miles have all been giving a second chance by Richmond.

Each year new players are expected to push senior players even harder to make them ready just incase an injury strikes you have no one.