Kane Cornes is concerned about a few areas of Richmond’s game following their subpar start to the resumed season.
The Tigers were easily beaten by Hawthorn last night which comes a week after their draw with Collingwood in a low-scoring affair.
The reigning premiers have kicked just 10 goals in eight quarters of footy over the past two weeks and it has prompted Cornes to raise his concerns for Damien Hardwick’s side.
“It’s tough to stay at the top. That’s why hardly anyone wins back-to-back flags,” he said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
“They are hard to win because it’s hard to stay hungry and motivated when you’ve reached the absolute pinnacle like Richmond have done in the last three years.
“I’m concerned. I still had them the number one ranked side when I did the Monday Means Test this week. I think they’ll be ok but there are some concerns for Damien Hardwick.
“I’m not jumping off, Richmond fans. Don’t shoot me down. But there’s a lack of hunger which is an early concern to start the year.”
Cornes’ five concerns for the Tigers
1. Marking contest
“I hated Bachar Houli pulling out of that marking contest in the first quarter.
“He could have just stood in front of Jonno Patton and taken a reasonably easy uncontested mark. He pulled out of that.”
2. Excuses
“Damien Hardwick last week on the dew of all things on the MCG.
“Let’s ask Hawthorn how they dealt with the dew. There was no issue for ‘Silk’ Shaun Burgoyne as he kept lacing out Jack Gunston. No issues there.
“I hate excuses and for a team that never leaves the MCG, they haven’t left there this year, they’ve played their last home and away 10 games if you don’t mind.”
3. Uncontested possessions and tackling
“The uncontested possession count, the lack of defensive action. 27 tackles.”
4. Jack Riewoldt
“Jack Riewoldt is a concern. He looks banged up, he looks like he can’t move. He can’t score from 35 metres out directly in front. He looks frustrated.
“His cheap shot on Sicily in the second quarter was un-Riewoldt-like.
“I think there are some concerns with the forward line as well.”
5. Marlion Pickett
“Is Marlion Pickett a one-hit wonder?
“Disposal count since the Grand Final: 14 Round 1 against Carlton, seven last Thursday night in about 39 minutes of game time - can’t even get on the field - and 10 last night and no influence.
“He does look to be struggling to pick up the pace of the game. That is a concern.
“A lot of people thought Richmond’s improvement will come from the likes of Marlion Pickett who is going to improve. Well, he’s really struggling.”
The Tigers currently have a record of one win, one draw and one loss in 2020 as they look ahead to their Round 4 clash with a revitalised St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Saturday.