GWS director Jimmy Bartel believes the acquisition of two Giants midfielders will put Richmond firmly back into premiership contention next season.
The Tigers landed both Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper in the trade period to bolster their midfield which many feel was an area in which they needed to strengthen.
Damien Hardwick’s side fell short in this year’s finals series, losing by two points to Brisbane in a dramatic Elimination Final.
Richmond immediately addressed their need for further midfield quality in the aftermath of that loss and Bartel feels the addition of Taranto and Hopper will have them right in the mix in 2023.
“Next year they are a genuine threat again,” Bartel said on Sportsday.
“Do Hopper and Taranto put them back in the premiership window? Absolutely.
“Because you get a revitalised Dustin Martin. We know Shai Bolton has gone to another level, they just need Dion Prestia’s hamstrings to hold on because he’s an unbelievable two-way player. He runs hard from goal square to goal square, he defends, he uses the ball well.
“I think it puts them right in contention.”
Despite appearing well below his best in 2022, Dustin Martin still poses a threat, especially now that Taranto and Hooper have arrived.
Bartel was asked if the three-time Norm Smith Medallist can still have a significant impact on this group of Tigers.
“Absolutely,” Bartel replied.
“If he’s on the field, he draws that much attention. Even if he’s not at his absolute best, the attention that will be drawn to him allows guys like Bolton a lesser matchup, if you will.”
Geelong great Bartel is also a massive fan of Richmond’s forward line which was led by this year’s Jack Dyer Medal winner Tom Lynch and includes the likes of Bolton, veteran Jack Riewoldt and the emerging Noah Cumberland.
“Tom Lynch had his best season at AFL level, in my eyes, and it was extraordinary,” he said further.
“He was back taking contested marks, his marking went to another level. He averaged the most amount of contested marks, highest average goals per game, even more than the Coleman Medallist (Charlie Curnow), Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron and Harry McKay.
“He was dominant when he was playing, he just missed a few games.
“And Bolton as well. He went from being the unbelievable highlight reel forward to the unbelievable highlight reel forward/midfielder. He ended up kicking 43 goals as both mid and forward.
“103 goals between them (Lynch and Riewoldt) and Lynch missed a number of games.
“They probably need another goalkicker though. Lynch kicked 63 (goals), Bolton 43 and Riewoldt 40, and the one that they did find to come along with them was Noah Cumberland.
“In the last half a dozen weeks, he kicked 19 goals and he’s a difficult matchup. He can actually take the goal square or play as the high half-forward or the third tall.
“So he might be the one that gives Jack some better matchups.”
Bartel predicted where the Tigers might finish in 2023.
“I’ve got them as a top-six side,” he said.
Image from Richmond FC.