Richmond’s recent defeat to North Melbourne was neither humiliating nor a complete disaster, yet it left fans questioning the team’s progress. The match demonstrated the potential for excitement that can arise from encounters between struggling teams, as evidenced by Richmond’s previous win over West Coast. However, Sunday’s game was marred by lackluster strategy, uncontested marks, and a pervasive sense of futility. Several veteran players appeared to have lost their edge, the forwards struggled to make an impact, and promising young talent remained sidelined.
Typically, a performance of this caliber would draw heavy criticism. A coach with a paltry record of nine wins out of 60 games would likely be in jeopardy of losing their position. However, the situation is complicated by a continuous stream of player injuries affecting nearly every part of the body, including hips, feet, knees, collarbones, throats, groins, and ligaments. The unpredictability of these injuries has only added to the team’s frustration. Tom Lynch has had to undergo speech therapy after losing his voice box, Josh Smillie traveled to Philadelphia for body reprogramming, and Sam Lalor is still dealing with what is vaguely termed a ‘partial Achilles tear.’
Lalor’s absence is particularly keenly felt. His ability to read the ball off the ruckman’s hand, the way he maneuvers out of stoppages, and his skillful shoves to create space and time remind fans of a young Dustin Martin. He is a player who inspires hope and concerns opposing coaches. In matches where Richmond has struggled, he often emerged as the most confident player on the field. Unfortunately, while the 34-year-old Martin is now playing for Port Douglas, the 19-year-old Lalor remains unavailable.
Lalor was the standout player in the 2024 draft, regarded as one of the most talented groups of young players in the sport’s history. Fans at Punt Road paid $25 to witness Ben Dixon’s humorous commentary and to see the club select eight new players, six of whom were in the first round. This draft was particularly challenging to predict, with no clear frontrunners and various unexpected developments. Carlton’s senior staff, now mostly departed from the club, were thrilled to secure Jagga Smith at pick three, while Fremantle celebrated landing Murphy Reid at 17.
Richmond’s draft picks initially generated optimism, yet some selections carried inherent risks. Lalor, despite being many analysts’ top choice, had a history of injuries that kept him off the field. He had never completed a proper pre-season. When Trent Cotchin handed him his jumper, the former captain seemed more like a rookie than the seasoned player he is. Taj Hotton, arguably the most gifted of the new recruits, was recovering from an ACL injury. Jonty Faull, who was selected higher than expected, had spent six months sidelined due to stress fractures in his back. All eight draftees hailed from private schools, most were tall, and many had previously played together in youth teams and competitions. A significant number are now photographed on crutches.
In this rebuilding phase, Richmond has placed their bets and bided their time. That is the essence of a rebuild—teaching, hoping, and waiting. The reality is widely acknowledged. Everyone understands the arduous journey ahead, filled with losses and periods of stagnation. Fans are aware that they must watch as some of their fiercest rivals thrive and win championships. They also know that not all draftees will succeed, and the coach may not endure through the entire rebuilding process.
After 18 months since that promising draft, many had anticipated better visibility into the team’s progress. Yet it has been the subsequent year’s draft that has provided the necessary attributes of speed and resilience. Seth Campbell, a pivotal player in many victories under Adem Yze, was selected from the lower end of a rookie draft that primarily consisted of teams reselecting previously delisted players.
Some rebuilding efforts unfold gradually, others remain ambiguous, while some lead to dead ends. Richmond’s situation, however, is uniquely frustrating. Memorable moments have emerged during Yze’s tenure, including a notable victory over Sydney at the MCG, where the Swans were the top team. An almost farcical win against Carlton in the opening round of the following season also stood out. There have been commendable losses, such as the recent match against Brisbane in Hobart. Yet, for the most part, the team seems to be caught in a state of stagnation, unable to develop a cohesive and sustainable playing style, which complicates any assessment of their progress.
- This is an extract from Guardian Australia’s free weekly AFL email, From the Pocket. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
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