Almanac Footy: Richmond 2026 season preview

 

And now, the tenacious Tigers.

 

List:

Richmond is always hard for me to do, given my bias. However, clearly Richmond is in a state of flux. With so many juniors brought in over the last few years, more than half the list sits in the junior (18-21) and developing (22-24) age brackets. Consequently, twilighters have been retained to provide some structure.

The clear gap on the Tiger list is that Nankervis sits alone as #1 ruckman, although undersized according to the new rules, with Hayes-Brown and Sampson already in mature phase without experience, and no junior understudy.

Also, one can see that this may be the last season for some of the twilighters, especially in its defence. The youngsters are coming on and they need opportunity.

Richmond will continue its transition this season. There will be players omitted in the start of season 23 that come into the midseason or EOS 23. But, that happens with all clubs. With such transition occurring, it is hard seeing the Tiges moving up the ladder. They may improve, but that may not reflect itself in wins and losses.

 

Select 23:

As said, positions are open or under challenge.

The Tiges have a fairly stable defence with Vlastuin, Broad and Miller. Balta is said to be returning to defence. While Banks, a now developing tall-medium defender has clinched a rebounding defensive position. Campbell Gray, with only 3 games in 2025, showed very good intercepting skills with limited opportunity. But Trainor, Gibcus, Trezise, Brown, and Kaleb Smith will all be looking to grab a spot.

Some of the forward line, and an interchange ruckman’s spot, I’ve left blank because there are no clear contenders who have proven themselves capable.
In the ruck, Sampson Ryan keeps breaking down, while Hayes-Brown hasn’t played a game yet. One thinks that if one of these grabs a spot, the other may be traded/delisted for a junior ruckman. If neither succeed, an external developing ruckman may be sought, as was Nankervis almost 10 years ago.
Up forward, Lynch, Lalor, Campbell were the only regulars to kick 1 or more goals per game. The positions have been left open for one tall and one small forward.

So the Tiges have some sorting out to do, before they start moving up the ladder:

 

B: Vlastuin, Miller, Gray

HB: Broad, Balta, Banks

C: Short, Hopper, Ralphsmith

HF: Lalor, Lynch, Ross

F: Campbell,    ?   ,   ?

R: Nankervis, Taranto, Prestia

I: McAuliffe, Sonsie, Brown, Trainor,   ?   .

 

You can follow all my list updates as they become available at https://www.ozfootylistmanager.com/2026-lists-new.html

 

Next, the Sainters.

 

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