In the lead-up to the start of season 2018, richmondfc.com.au is examining how the Tigers will shape up this year across all playing lines. We kick off this week with the forward line and, first-up, Tony Greenberg takes a look at the Club’s unconventional attacking formation.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it . . .
That familiar, old phrase is particularly applicable to Richmond’s forward line structure as the Tigers prepare for season 2018.
The 2017 Richmond forward set-up of only one ‘tall’ in star spearhead Jack Riewoldt, surrounded by a fleet of quick, slick small forwards such as Daniel Rioli, Dan Butler and Jason Castagna, with some important added grunt provided by strongly-built, medium-sized pair Josh Caddy and Jacob Townsend (late in the season), was pivotal to the Tigers’ premiership success.
Riewoldt finished with 54 goals, Butler 30, Castagna 26, Rioli 25, Caddy 21 and Townsend 16 (in just five games). But it wasn’t merely their capacity to keep the scoreboard ticking along that defined the work of the Tiger forwards in the Club’s drought-breaking premiership year.
Manic tackling, harassment and overall super-intense pressure applied to opposition backs was their collective trademark.
The unorthodox forward set-up was a Yellow and Black blueprint that worked a treat, and there seems no reason for the Tigers to turn away from it now.
“We are happy with our blueprint,” said Richmond’s forwards coach Justin Leppitsch.
“You don’t want to change too much. I think the game is always evolving, but to all of a sudden start playing three or four key forwards, and change entirely what got us to where we are, would be a mistake.”
That said, there is the possibility of some slight tinkering to the forward structure, should the Tigers deem that Riewoldt requires more tall support.
Premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis could be used in that back-up role to Riewoldt if Shaun Hampson regains full fitness following a nagging back injury that prevented him from playing at senior level last season.
Developing, young Tiger rookies Callum Moore and Mabior Chol also may come into calculations as tall support up forward.
