The Tigers didn’t reach their great heights in 2022 which is back to back down years for them now, they did finish 7th but were eliminated in week 1 of the finals. Their list is aging but they did blood some decent youngsters last season and with a few handy recruits watch them bounce back. Over the last few years they haven’t been the most relevant team as they don’t produce many premium scorers throughout the season. But this year could be different with Taranto and Hopper jumping ship and sitting in roughly half of teams currently.
Defenders
Feeling Lucky: Nick Vlaustin ($548 200) is priced at an average of 99.6 and it is hard to see any value. He was solid as a rock last season and always seems to play well but at top dollar he will not be a popular pick.
Midfielders
Feeling Lucky: Jayden Short ($543 800) was another defender that when he played as a pure midfielder his scoring output dropped. He averaged 98 in 2022 making that 2 years in a row but he really dropped away in the back end of the season as his defender role turned to midfield turned to mid/forward at times. If he does return to the backlines as it seems he will then he may become relevant again if he can gain DPP.
Jacob Hopper ($332 000) could’ve easily been in the Lock and Load section but with his awkward price and the unknowns at a new club, that in the past don’t produce big SuperCoach numbers means he slots in here. In saying that he looks a great pick as he is priced at around the 60 mark. In 2021 he went at a career best average of 97 along with 95 in 2019 with another year in the 90s to go with it albeit they were not full seasons. He has been brought over to be a pure midfielder from all reports and if this is the case it is hard to see him not break that 95 barrier again.
Rucks
Feeling Lucky: Toby Nankervis ($531 100) had a good year playing every game for the first time and averaged 96 which was just under his career best 98 in 2018. He will be the main man in the Ruck again but with Soldo in the mix to play alongside him as he has in the past it seems risky as well as the danger of his body not holding up.
Money Maker: Samson Ryan ($123 900) made his debut in 2021 with an unfortunate final score. That is all in the past now and after a great year in the VFL he could be in the mix at some stage this season.
Forwards
Lock and Load: Tim Taranto ($503 100) was another Giant that made the switch in the off season, to get more opportunity as an on baller. At the Tigers he will get that wish. He is priced at 91 which isn’t a true reflection on his scoring potential. Timmy was chucked in the forward lines for large parts of games and after his move in the off season it sheds a little light potentially. He has been fairly durable and produced a couple of great seasons in 2019 averaging 102 and 2021 with 97. He will definitely average more than he is priced at but can he reach that 102 mark whilst playing the Tigers brand of footy.
Feeling Lucky: Can’t have a Tigers team preview without mentioning Dustin Martin ($480 400). Dusty only managed the 8 games last year and had his 2nd lowest average of his career, in his debut year of 2010 he averaged 77. Now he is another year older and after missing 20 games in 2 years his body may be a cause for concern. Guaranteed to start well on Thursday night against Carlton and if he does he very well could be in more teams come lockout of Round 3.
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Good article there. Must say Richmond don’t want to offer too much for Supercoach other than their new recruits.
I was then reading an article from a couple days ago from Richmond with the headline: “Experienced Tigers consider load management approach”
This article states Richmond look to take on how Geelong approached last year where they could “manage the workload of its veteran squad this season, with eight premiership Tigers – including Riewoldt, Cotchin, Martin, Grimes, Pickett, Prestia, Lynch and Broad, as well as a ninth in Tarrant”
With this occurring it could make for some interesting results, as more rookies might get games, but roles may change more often to fill the void of rested players.
More from that article is about the ruck structure. “Richmond appears set to continue with a two-ruck approach this year, enabling either Toby Nankervis or Ivan Soldo to drift forward. ”
“We do like the thought of Ivan Soldo or Toby Nankervis being able to pinch-hit up forward as well, so we’ve been training those guys.”
This may cause more doubt for Nank as a premium, as it looks like he won’t get into enough ruck contests, thus relying on goals for good scores.
A positive that can be taken from this is 124k RUC/FWD rookie Samson Ryan.
It was stated that” there are also high hopes for 206cm youngster Samson Ryan as another attacking option.”
Ryan “has had a great pre-season. He’s put on a lot of size and a lot of strength. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring as well.”
Another FWD rookie is Jacob Bauer (124k)
He is a potential candidate to step up and assist Lynch and Riewoldt.
“He was very close to playing senior footy last year. He’s starting to find his footing.”
“He’ll hopefully get some opportunity in pre-season games this year.”
Definitely one to watch as he may be a mid season money maker.
Thanks Alza!
Can someone who is way better with numbers than I am tell me what Hopper would need to average to hit $480K by the bye? Your answer will make or break a few teams this year….
I still don’t rate Timmy T’s disposal, but it’s hard to ignore a $500K midfielder that you can slot into the forward line.