Kane Cornes is not quite as bullish as some on Richmond’s 2023 prospects.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio on Friday, both Stephen Silvagni and Matt Rendell agreed that the Tigers would be a top four team next season, thanks to the acquisitions of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.
However, Cornes believes many questions marks remain over Richmond next year.
“They think Richmond are primed. Why are Richmond primed? Hopper and Taranto come in, but I think they’ve got some issues,” he told AFL Trade Radio.
“They’re clearly all-in on this group and they went on about the midfield … we can’t expect Dion Prestia to play more than half a season, he continually gets injured.
“Dylan Grimes has had issues with his hamstrings and is going to be nearly 32 by the start of next year.
“Taranto and Hopper are great additions, but they’re injury prone as well particularly Taranto.
“Everyone is saying they’re going to get Dustin Martin back – well are you? Are they going to get Dusty back? What sort of version of Martin are we going to get back? Is he fully invested?
“I don’t think that just because they’re getting Hopper and Taranto that Richmond are automatically a lock for top four, but I understand I’m largely on my own with that opinion.
“What do you do with Trent Cotchin? Jack Riewoldt is going to be 34, Tom Lynch has had his injury concerns, Toby Nankervis is a solid citizen as a ruckman. I’m just not buying into all the Richmond hype.”
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd agrees, wondering where Richmond’s internal improvement comes from.
“I want to go through the best and fairest results at Geelong. Everyone gets sucked into the age, but what about the improvement?” Lloyd said.
“Who’s Richmond’s Sam De Koning who finished eighth in their best and fairest and took the game by storm? Who’s the Brad Close going to be? He transformed himself into one of the most consistent half forwards and finished seventh.
“Who’s the Tom Atkins? He finished fifth. They might say it’s Tim Taranto or Hopper. Who’s the Tyson Stengle who came fourth and kicked 53 goals as a forward?”