2022 Team Preview – Richmond Tigers

Winning three out of four premierships isn’t a bad run of things, and I’m sure many a Tigers fans was probably expecting another run at it last year, but alas, it wasn’t to be. Fortunately, this Tigers list, while another year older, hasn’t had a crazy amount of transition from the team that went back to back, so another chance beckons this season.

Now while the Tigers might be up there on the ladder this year, and as they have been in years past, that historically hasn’t resulted in great Supercoach scoring, but still, there’s plenty of talent on their list with huge potential, so let’s take a look.

Defenders

Lock and Load – Jayden Short (535,200)

There’s not many defenders with the consistent scoring that this guy offers. He’s one of the best rebounding defenders in the competition and loves a long range goal, and with his beautiful disposal use he can usually work his way into a triple figure score with as little as 20 touches. Averaged 98 last season after 96 the year before and seems ready to up that again, especially with the departure of another great defender in Bachar Houli.

Money Maker – Josh Gibcus (171,300)

Drafted at pick 9 as a tall defender, it might take some time for Gibcus to take the park for the Tigers, similar to Denver Grainger-Barras last year, but like most high draft picks, he’s likely to get a chance sooner rather than later. With the departure of David Astbury, theres a spot going in Richmonds back six that may well have Gibcus’s name all over it.

Midfielders

Feeling Lucky – Dion Prestia (463,900)

Alright this might be really pushing the get lucky section, because this guy can just not stay on the park. He’s only played 20 or more games in three of his eleven AFL seasons, but has shown when he plays he is someone who is capable of pulling out consistent scores (averaged 101 in 2019). There’s plenty of scoring opportunities in the Tigers midfield, so can Prestia re-capture some of his form to make his selection worthwhile? Personally, I say too much of a risk, but you may think different…

Sydney Stack (368,800)

Now this guy provides a much more tantalizing option. In his limited career opportunities, he has provided a couple of standout games and would be more than keen to repay some faith with his on field performance after a couple of news headlines in recent years. Has the talent, and the role to provide some good value for money.

Money Maker – Tyler Sonsie (117,300)

Drafted at pick 28, this kid has a booming kick on him and may well make his debut sooner rather than later. At an almost rock bottom starting price, he’s one to put on the watchlist for pre-season and the season proper.

Rucks

Feeling Lucky – Toby Nankervis (509,300)

After a couple of injury riddled years, Nank was on the park for the majority of the games for the Tigers last year, and might well be worth a shot as POD. The reason surrounds his scoring capability. There’s been a couple of times this guy has dominated a game of football in the air and on the ground, plus, he can find the football pretty well and use it solidly enough too. He does have a couple of seasons with averages in the 90’s, so could he take the next step? Does the added role of captaincy at the Tigers push him to the next level?

Money Maker – Samson Ryan (123,900, RUC/FWD)

Got a debut last year with one of the unluckiest starts to a career, scoring -1. Definitely looks a project player but the reason I’ve put him in here is that he has that FWD/RUC DPP that would work well as a loophole C option, or for teams that may pick Luke Jackson or Peter Ladhams.

Forwards

Lock and Load – Dustin Martin (503,500, FWD/MID)

For the first time since 2014, Dusty didn’t finish the year with an average over triple figures, as he had probably the most inconsistent year of his career through a variety of issues. Now the reason he falls under lock and load is because he’s just too good of a player at that price to not rebound in 2022. He kicks goals, he wins the hard ball and will want to bounce back and get the Tigers back to their winning ways in 2022. Has the potential to average well over 100 in your forward line, which this year seems to be slim pickings at this early stage, so start up with him like most of the competition will and reap the rewards. 

Feeling Lucky – Kane Lambert (415,400)

A bit of an outlier last season from the crafty forward who could only muster an average of 76 from 13 games. Rewind back a couple of years though and Lambert was one of those guys who quietly went about his business to average in the high 80’s from 2017-19, so for his current price there’s a little bit of value there for the risk taker.

Shai Bolton (458,600, FWD/MID)

This guy may have left some coaches with deep scars last year. He shot to stardom after averaging 108 between rounds 4-13 last year, and had a massive boost in ownership, only to average 68 from that point onwards, enraging many a fantasy coach with his scores. The positive is that he has proven scoring history and is maturing into a fantastic hybrid player for the Tigers, but the negative is that he can go missing in games and or use the ball poorly, resulting in undesirable scores. A better option than Lambert for scoring potential, but might not be as consistent. Time will tell. 

Money Maker – Maurice Rioli (123,900, FWD/MID)

Made his way into the best 22 late last season, so if he holds his spot coming into 2022, he should have some quick money to make. My strategy is to have my rookies playing early to capitalize on cash generation as quickly as possible, so if he’s picked, he’ll likely play enough games and make enough money to make the starting selection worth it.

Currently I’m running with only Short, but Rioli and Martin may well make the final cut.

Who from the Tigers are you currently running with?

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