Triple-premiership Tiger David Astbury believes Richmond are ready to rebound in the coming seasons.
With the Tigers trailing eighth-placed Essendon by four points and a tick under 10 per cent, five premiership players have made way for Saturday afternoon’s meeting with Hawthorn.
Plucked by Richmond from a wheat farm near the western Victorian town of Tatyoon back in 2009, Astbury will hang up the boots after 155 games in 12 seasons at Punt Road.
Despite the Tigers’ failure to qualify for the finals, he is insistent his retirement, along with Bachar Houli calling time, doesn’t signal the end of an era.
“I’m not jumping off the gravy train because I think it’s dried up or anything along those lines,“ he told SEN Breakfast on Friday morning.
“With the people at that football club in particular places, whether it be club administration, football department, other key players along the playing list and the developing youth…
“I really think they can - we can - rebound really strongly, really quickly.”
Young defender Sydney Stack has been re-integrated into the backline in the last six weeks, while triple-premiership forward Daniel Rioli has reignited his career behind the ball.
The key position stocks are promising; defensive linchpin Noah Balta will return to the team next season, while Callum Coleman-Jones has booted 11 goals in seven games.
In the midfield, coach Damien Hardwick has afforded opportunities to Thomson Dow, Will Martyn, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jack Ross, none of whom are older than 21.
“I feel in the not too distant future, that team can be better,” Astbury continued.
“I certainly don’t think the Richmond supporters are going to be enduring a long stint of sparse joy.
“I feel it’ll continue, and the way the group has invested in it will ensure that too.”
As for Astbury, his cup is full.
“I’ve really enjoyed my humble role,” he reflected.
“I’ve always been conscious of not wanting to play for too long, or for the wrong reasons. I’ve been completely fulfilled with how my career has played out.”
Astbury and the Tigers will tackle the Hawks from 1:35pm on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.