Dermott Brereton has given some snap judgements on a trio of questions relating to the Richmond Football Club.
After tipping the Tigers to bounce back in a very early 2022 flag prediction, the Hawthorn champion then touched on some specific players.
Key forward Tom Lynch had an immediate impact at Punt Road after joining from Gold Coast prior to the 2019 season.
The Tigers won the 2019 and 2020 flags with Lynch delivering, particularly in the first year with 63 goals.
He was solid without setting the world on fire in 2020, kicking 32 majors in the revised season, before battling knee issues and indifferent form in 2021 with 35 goals as the Tigers fell away.
With that in mind, the question was posed to Brereton: Have we seen the best of Tom Lynch?
“I reckon you can hold on what we’ve seen in recent times,” he said on SEN Drive.
“I don’t think we’re going to get better than what we’ve seen, but I reckon he can hold.”
But will Lynch’s ‘holding’ of form still be enough for the Tigers to win the flag?
“I think so.”
Lynch’s attacking partner Jack Riewoldt has enjoyed a superb career in the yellow and black.
But at 33 and entering his 16th season, is his best behind him? Has Riewoldt got another good year in him?
“He’s got moments of very good in him which will still work for the club,” was Dermie’s snap judgement on the 715-goal forward.
Another question pertaining to the Tigers is who will replace Trent Cotchin as captain?
There are a number of names being floated, with superstar Dustin Martin one of those.
Should Martin be the captain of Richmond if he wants the job?
“No, I think he probably relishes being senior, but not the captain,” said Brereton.
“There are probably some better candidates who would be willing to get out there every day to promote the club.”
After struggling in 2021 where they finished 12th, the Tigers will be keen to quickly rebound in 2022 with Lynch, Riewoldt and Martin all contributing significantly as we saw in previous years.