Richmond showed they will have the capacity to trouble teams in 2024 as a mix of the new and the old combined under new coach Adem Yze to overcome a slow start and defeat Melbourne in match simulation at Casey Fields on Sunday.
After conceding the first five goals, the Tigers reeled off 10 unanswered as Noah Balta and Jacob Koschitzke took over inside-50 to kick six goals against a defence containing Melbourne stars Steven May and Jake Lever.
Kysaiah Pickett flies for a mark.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne missed Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver in the middle, but the Tigers were without Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia and Tim Taranto.
What you need to know
Melbourne are heading into 2024 with minimal change to their structure or the faces filling key roles. Brayshaw (flu) and Oliver (managed) will improve them in the middle. Recruit Caleb Windsor can find the football but needs to work on his kicking, while Kynan Brown showed promise as a light but brave forward. Jack Billings had little impact as a high half-forward while Blake Howes is yet to take the next step. How to deploy Christian Petracca’s power will once again be a major question for the Demons as they wait and see whether recruit Shane McAdam and Harrison Petty return in time for the opening round.
Max Gawn and Samson Ryan contest the ruck.Credit: Getty Images
By contrast, Richmond appear revitalised with Balta dominating inside-50, his aerial strength creating chances for Melbourne’s small forwards. With Martin, Taranto, Prestia and Toby Nankervis sidelined, the Tigers tried Thomson Dow in the middle, with Sam Naismith and Samson Ryan rucking. Ryan was impressive and the other two were steady, but it shows their depth. Rhyan Mansell will have scans on Monday after hurting his ankle in the first quarter. Mansell was in a moon boot and there are fears he may have suffered a high ankle sprain, while supplementary selection period hope Mykelti Lefau helped his chances with a goal in a strong last quarter.
Expert’s view
The Demons have not sprung any surprise positional moves to shake things up, but they appear to be working on using their hands more out of the back half to create overlap run. Melbourne are trying to find someone to support Max Gawn in the ruck, with Jacob van Rooyen asked to relieve him in the first half. Rookie ruckman Will Verrall took over from Gawn at half-time.
Clayton Oliver takes to the field after the first four periods.Credit: Getty Images
What they said
Ben Rutten (Richmond assistant coach) on the new look forward line:
“Both of them (Noah Balta and Jacob Koschitzke) were able to display their strengths. It might be a bit clunky at times while they learn how each other works.”
What’s next
The Tigers play Collingwood in an official practice match on Tuesday, February 27 from 6.40pm at IKON Park. Melbourne play Carlton on Wednesday, February 28, with last year’s semi-final loss fresh in their minds.
