Ins: Kaelan Bradtke (Pre-Season Supplemental Selection), Seth Campbell (Rookie Draft), Steely Green (NAB Draft, Pick 55), Jacob Hopper (Trade, Greater Western Sydney), Kaleb Smith (NAB Draft, Pick 49), Tim Taranto (Trade, Greater Western Sydney), Tylar Young (Rookie Draft)
Outs: Jake Aarts (Delisted), Josh Caddy (Retired), Riley Collier-Dawkins (Delisted), Shane Edwards (Retired), Kane Lambert (Retired), Will Martyn (Delisted), Matthew Parker (Delisted), Sydney Stack (Delisted)
Draw: Based on the new weighted draw brought in for the 2023 season, Richmond will statistically have the 8th hardest draw in the competition. The Tigers will face Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs twice throughout the season.
Forwards: Jacob Bauer*, Seth Campbell*, Jason Castagna, Judson Clarke, Mate Colina*, Noah Cumberland, Tom Lynch, Dustin Martin, Jack Rielwoldt, Maurice Rioli, Ivan Soldo
Midfielders: Shai Bolton, Trent Cotchin, Thomson Dow, Jack Graham, Steely Green, Jacob Hopper, Kamdyn McIntosh, Marlion Pickett*, Dion Prestia, Jack Ross, Jayden Short, Tyler Sonsie
Rucks: Toby Nankervis, Samson Ryan
Defenders: Liam Baker, Noah Balta, Sam Banks, Kaelen Bradtke*, Nathan Broad, Tom Brown, Josh Gibcus, Dylan Grimes, Rhyan Mansell, Ben Miller*, Bigoa Nyuon*, Daniel Rioli, Kaleb Smith, Robbie Tarrant, Nick Vlastuin, Tylar Young
* Indicates rookie/long-term injury listed player
Ones to watch: New recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper will slot directly into Richmond best 22 and play a significant part of their rise up the ladder this season. All eyes will be on superstar Dustin Martin as he looks to get back to his scary best. Martin only played 9 games last year due to personal and injury issues. Trent Cotchin looks also set to move out of the midfield and into the forward line with Jack Riewoldt cheekily naming him Trent ‘Coleman’,
Strengths: X Factor GALORE! With Dusty Martin missing majority of the 2022 season, Shai Bolton took his game to the next level. His ability to be clean around stoppages and his big improvement in work rate, he become one of the most dangerous players in the competition. Along with Taranto and Martin, their midfielders have the ability to take any opponent deep into the 50 and dominate. Their twin towers up forward are still one of the best forward combinations with Riewoldt taking more of a selfless role in recent years. Their backline is led by one of the best one on one defenders in the competition in Dylan Grimes, assisted by veteran Robbie Tarrant. Both of these players have the ability to shut down any forward combination in the competition.
Weaknesses: The Tigers don’t have many weaknesses in their best side and would have been extremely disappointed in missing the finals in 2022. Looking closely at their list, if Toby Nankervis was to go down with injury, it would be an absolute disaster for the Tigers. Samson Ryan looks to be a good future prospect, but would likely get dominated if he was the sole ruckmen at the top level. Their depth was their issue throughout several games in 2022, although this year they look better, if they were to get injuries to key players they may struggle again.
General thoughts: Expect the Tigers to start the season strongly after a disappointing 2022 campaign by their own lofty standards. The inclusion of Tim Taranto will be a huge, his ability to run forward and kick goals whilst also get back and provide pressure will be vital for the Tigers in 2023. There are no reasons looking at the Tigers list as to why they cannot get back to where they belong (top-4, not 9th).
Coach Pressure Gauge – 3/10 – Although the Tigers and Damien Hardwick had a disappointing year in 2022, they have been the dominant team over the past 5 years. Hardwick has been proven to be one of the best coaches of the modern era, yet if they were to have another repeat of last year, with their ageing list, expect the pressure to rise.
Breakout year: Josh Gibcus
B&F Winner: Tim Taranto
Fantasy relevant:
Tim Taranto – $846,000 – Mid/Fwd
Dustin Martin – $677,000 – Mid/Fwd
Samson Ryan – $200,000 – Ruck/Fwd
Finishing spot prediction: 4th
