Kane Cornes doesn't think Richmond can win the premiership in season 2021, saying they look a “shell of themselves”.
The Tigers recorded their lowest score (2.10.22) since 1961 and their sixth worst in VFL/AFL history in Friday night’s shock 40-point loss to St Kilda.
The reigning premiers are clinging onto eighth spot with ninth-placed Fremantle (7-7) and 10th-placed GWS (6-6-1) breathing down their necks.
Richmond could fall out of the top eight by the end of Round 15 if the Giants beat Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.
“I think there are enough warning signs now that we can put a line through Richmond for genuine premiership contenders,” Cornes told AFL Media’s The Round So Far.
“The body of work there now is to say that they are not going to win the premiership this year.
“Uncharacteristic errors again in their back half … they just looked a shell of themselves and their record at the MCG this year is concerning.”
Subscribe to the SEN YouTube channel for the latest videos!
Stay up to date with all the latest news from SEN. Sign up HERE.
Damien Hardwick’s side have lost four of seven games at its MCG fortress this season.
“They have just been pretty much a walk-up win (at the MCG). There is not that fear factor there,” Cornes said.
“Perhaps that is part of the ‘Richmond Army’ – 14,000 there on Friday night – I’m not sure where all the Richmond fans have gone, I understand the circumstances that we live in.
“But perhaps not having 80,000 there on a Friday night that they usually would has affected them, and their record says that as well.”
Injuries to important defenders Noah Balta (syndesmosis) and Nick Vlastuin (leg) further soured Richmond’s defeat to the Saints.
The 7-7 Tigers will look to bounce back against lowly Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night.