On the eve of the 2015 season, we look at each of Richmond’s playing lines. Today, it’s the midfielders.
Matt Arnot: The Tigers have been impressed with how the 21-year-old has responded to being moved on to the rookie list, noting a change in his training intensity this summer. Booted two goals in the opening pre-season challenge match.
Daniel Butler: Drafted as a midfielder and a forward, Butler will be used primarily in attack in his first season. Played half a game against the Western Bulldogs and impressed with his speed and tackling intensity.
Reece Conca: Conca was the standout performer on the track before he had a knee operation in January. He could manage two pre-season games, with the Tigers keen to rotate him through midfield, half-back and half-forward roles.
Trent Cotchin: Cotchin was carefully managed with hamstring soreness through the latter stages of the pre-season. He returned to play the final match against North Melbourne, where he stamped himself as a Round 1 starter with 20 possessions in three quarters.
Brett Deledio: Has been held back this pre-season for an ongoing Achilles tendon problem. However, the vice-captain was unveiled in the second and third rounds of the pre-season challenge and will take up a regular role across half-forward.
Nathan Drummond: Recruited as a midfielder, Drummond is likely to settle in the backline in his first season after spending most of the summer with Ben Rutten's group. Suffered some pre-season niggles but was ready for the Tigers' first pre-season game, winning nine possessions.
Brandon Ellis: Has completed more pre-season work than any midfielder, leading the club's time trials and setting the bar in all aspects of training. Continues to work on becoming a duel inside-outside threat.
Corey Ellis: The No.12 draft pick arrived at Punt Road with a foot issue and had surgery late last year. Returned to full training in March and is unlikely to be rushed into AFL action.
Nathan Foley: Hasn't been able to get any consistency in his training, having a knee cleanout before a recent foot injury that sidelined him for up to nine weeks.
Shaun Grigg: Earmarked to help the Tigers' inside midfielders in an expanded ball-winning role. Has the size and toughness to play a contested game and has recovered from a plantar fascia injury earlier in the pre-season.
Shaun Hampson: After a full pre-season, Hampson was one of the Tigers' best in their opening pre-season match with 38 hit-outs. Has been challenged to win more possessions and has enjoyed an even battle in training against Ivan Maric.
Taylor Hunt: The former Geelong tagger was one of Richmond's most impressive players in the pre-season challenge, playing all three games. The Tigers don't want him to be a tagger and are hopeful he can thrive on a wing after running second in time trials all summer to Brandon Ellis.
Kane Lambert: Showed his ball-winning ability in three pre-season matches, earning elevation to the senior playing list. A star in the VFL, he has adjusted quickly to AFL demands and has been the surprise packet of the summer.
Ivan Maric: The No.1 ruckman started pre-season early alongside the Tigers' young players after avoiding off-season surgery. He has enjoyed an injury-free run, benefiting from a more tailored training program.
Dustin Martin: After a more consistent 2014 season, Martin has focused on building his engine to increase his time in the midfield. A weapon when forward, he has also been challenged to win more contested ball in the midfield and run smarter.
Matt McDonough: Earned his seven senior games last year as a running defender but starred in the VFL later in the year as a half-forward. Going into his third season, the Tigers are looking to settle him in the midfield based on his solid clearance and contested possession numbers when used there.
Connor Menadue: The Tigers will be patient with the No.33 draft pick, whose priority will be to fill out after joining the club weighing 69kg. An elite endurance athlete, he has spent more time on the track than any of the club's first-year players.
Anthony Miles: A revelation in the second half of 2014, the former rookie has not lost any momentum going into this season, starring on the track. He shapes as a key player for the Tigers in 2015.
Ricky Petterd: Has settled in the midfield group, spending an entire pre-season with one line for the first time at Punt Road. Had 15 possessions in the opening round of the pre-season challenge, with the Tigers excited about the toughness he can add to the midfield.
Ivan Soldo: The former basketballer is still learning the game in his first pre-season at Punt Road. A non-registered category-B rookie, the ruckman will spend most of the season in the TAC Cup.
Matt Thomas: Had a knee operation at the end of last year and is just returning to full training. Has the best skinfolds at the club and kept himself in top condition through his rehab.
