Kane Cornes has one major concern surrounding Richmond in 2023.
The Tigers reloaded in the off-season after losing the Elimination Final to Brisbane by one point, recruiting Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper to bolster their midfield.
On paper the team looks much stronger leading into the new season which has many pundits forecasting success for the yellow and black.
Cornes acknowledges that Damien Hardwick now has a deeper list at his disposal but is concerned that Richmond’s very best players often cop injuries of the soft tissue variety which subsequently hinder the group.
“When you look at the names on paper and you look at the midfield depth that they’ve got and their ability in the forward line, I agree (they have a good side),” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“The thing I always say with Richmond is they get injured a lot. I don’t have the numbers, I’m not a sports scientist, but their best players get injured.
“(Dion) Prestia, (Dustin) Martin gets injured, (Dylan) Grimes gets injured, (Trent) Cotchin is always injured, (Jack) Graham is injured at the moment, (Tom) Lynch gets injured, (Jason) Castagna has a hammy, (Josh) Gibcus has got a serious hammy, (Nick) Vlastuin missed games last year.
“They all do hamstrings, for whatever reason, and they seem to do them at crucial times.
“So provided they stay sound - and not everyone is sound for the whole season - but if they get the majority of those players to play 18-plus games I reckon they’ll be in the mix.
“But if not, it can go wrong pretty bad for Richmond, injury-wise.
“Taranto is another injured player. He gets injured as well.
“Richmond’s injuries, I’ve said it for three years, I’m right on this. They get injured a lot, their best players do a lot of hamstrings. I don’t know what it is.
“Once you’ve done one hammy and you get a bit older you’re more prone to doing others.”
Despite the doubts, Cornes has high hopes for the midfield/forward duo of Shai Bolton and Dustin Martin after the latter was restricted to just nine matches in 2022.
“What I’m excited about for Richmond though is when I look at Martin and Bolton,” Cornes added.
“Bolton does his best work front of centre. He’ll go to the centre bounce and then get a mismatch and he’s a nightmare.
“But Martin and Bolton could be the best medium-to-small forward duo in the game and kick 80-plus goals between them this year.
“They’ve topped up but they also haven’t neglected the draft. I think they’ve been pretty shrewd with their picks.
“I guess my only concern is the injuries.”
Co-host David King picked out a trio of Tigers he is keen to see, including former Giants midfielder Taranto who he believes can go to another level in 2023.
“I’m more excited about Noah Balta at centre half-back. I think he’s one of the most athletically gifted players in the competition,” King said.
“And Noah Cumberland as that wildcard forward who rides shotgun next to Lynch (and Jack Riewoldt).
“I think Tim Taranto will announce himself as a bona fide star of the AFL under the bright lights of the Richmond Footy Club.”
King laid out what he believes to be a pass mark for the Tigers, indicating that he is very keen on the 2017, 2019 and 2020 premiers to have another crack at a flag this year.
“They’re in for a big year, the Tiges,” he added.
“I’m really excited about their season. To win one final is probably a pass mark but they’ll be top four for me.
“I’m flirting with the idea of tipping them to win the whole lot.”
Richmond meets North Melbourne (this Friday) and Melbourne (March 4) in practice matches before opening the 2023 season against Carlton at the MCG on March 16.
