Universal Love Welcome to Richmond Adem Yze

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“Just to be a part of it was really special.”

First Adem Yze needs to fix Richmond’s game plan.

Then the new Tigers coach needs to make it his mission to find the missing Richmond A-Graders.

Yze’s declaration that Richmond could follow in the footsteps of GWS and bounce back into contention was entirely appropriate for a first-year coach expecting excellence from his players.

But as he admitted, Richmond hasn’t won a final in three seasons.

They haven’t fallen off a cliff post-dynasty but they are spectacularly mediocre.

CEO Brendon Gale’s comments cut to the heart of the matter.

Richmond did miss its most structurally important player in Tom Lynch last year but the Tigers’ famed pressure and contest was often non-existent as they bled inside-50s to moderate opponents.

“We were on the cusp of the eight for most of the year, we were probably teasing a little. At times early in the year we were unrecognisable,” said Gale.

“Dimma acknowledged that. Andrew (McQualter) did a wonderful job getting us back on track. We have got some really good players, we exposed a lot of our youth.

We can play a whole lot better, we will play a whole lot better. There is a saying I will pinch from (Yze). You get stuck in the past, you die in the present. We have to continue to evolve.”
Those missing A graders?

Richmond had only one member of the All Australian 44 in Martin, who turns 33 next year.
On pure pound-for-pound talent and match-winners the Tigers are clearly well behind the likes of Carlton, GWS, Melbourne, Collingwood and Brisbane.

GWS and Melbourne both have two first-rounders this year — Richmond has none — while clubs like Gold Coast which won nine games to the Tigers’ 10 are about to recruit three top-10 academy talents.

So Yze needs to squeeze every drop from this list if he is to finish top four, which to be honest seems an unrealistic goal until the next generation have at least another 40 games under their belt.
Those missing A graders?

Tim Taranto must spend every waking moment over summer working on skill acquisition given Champion Data rated his kicking as poor.

His efficiency by foot in his last six games was 35 per cent, 33 per cent, 46 per cent, 53 per cent, 33 per cent and 36 per cent.
Enough said.

Shai Bolton had another ‘nearly-there’ season kicking 31 goals, while averaging 21.7 possessions and four clearances but can former Dees kicking coach Yze straighten out his wonky right foot after 31.29 and 12 complete misses.

Jacob Hopper, Tom Lynch and Josh Gibcus need luck with the injury gods given Lynch and Gibcus could have been the bookends but played four games between them.

Hopper is a potential A grader but has played 20 games or more in only three of seven seasons, averaging only 17 games.
The back line has huge potential in Gibcus, Noah Balta and the big improver from 2023 in Tylar Young, with Richmond believing they can play 150 games together.

Slot in stars Jayden Short, Daniel Rioli and Nick Vlastuin and it can one day be premiership calibre again.
Then comes the group on which this team will rise or fall under Yze – the 12 or so kids who are yet to make the grade.
Can three become A graders and three turn into the type of dependable role players like Jason Castagna, Marlion Pickett, David Astbury in the premiership years?

That group includes half back Tom Brown (pick 17), Thomson Dow (pick 21), Tyler Sonsie (pick 28), Sam Banks (pick 29), Judson Clark (pick 30), Samson Ryan (pick 40), Noah Cumberland (pick 43), Hugo Ralphsmith (pick 46), Maurice Rioli (pick 51), Jacob Bauer (mid-season draft), Matthew Coultart (mic-season draft), and James Trezise (mid-season draft).

Yze said on Friday “it’s not about the talent, it’s about the character who walks through the doors at the footy club”, but talent is a bloody good start.

Melbourne and Richmond recently won flags by that A-grade talent, but both clubs also maximised their second and third-round picks as Demons like Tom Sparrow, Bailey Fritsch, James Jordon and Harry Petty combined with the blue-chip draftees.
So Yze doesn’t have a moment to waste with a compromised draft hand, a star forward in Lynch coming off dual foot surgeries and a batch of contenders that have gone past the Tigers at a rate of knots.
He will have a honeymoon period and the recent Richmond flags will buy him time with supporters, but if Richmond is to contend again soon he truly would be the new Damien Hardwick.

Seems like a sound article to me.

For me the message is Yze was a fine player, he could well be a dam fine coach.

I understand a narrative but Yze does not need to do the impossible or promise the impossible.

If Yze can develop and improve the talent and cohesion of the list and direction so we become a emerging force in the future in terms of contention I am happy with that.

No need for us to over reach and shoot ourselves in the foot not knowing where we are at, other clubs of course will want us to follow this course of self destruction by getting ahead of ourselves

I am looking to development and improvement in our players and forecast and something that makes sense for the years ahead the players, especially the youngsters, can believe in and strive for promoting confidence in the direction and approach we take.

We want the next premiership coach, even if it is a few years away, we did not ask for a God or a messiah. So Yze deserves and should be afforded time to put a few bricks in place
 
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So you want a club to be run based on the exploitation of idiots by a ruling elite or something more meaningful where many fans can embrace and enjoy the rise and rewards of success of a fruitful journey from achieving well earned premiership victories by our players as a team??
Ah no, I’m just saying a lot of Tiger fans are idiots. In fact most fans are idiots.

More often than not supporters are just opinionated, judgmental and just plain wrong.

But it’s entertaining.
 
Do you also remember 1967? And think oh well, staff don’t really care about getting better as we won a flag.

It’s always nice to reminisce about past success but that’s all it is. It’s about the here and now. We wasted some genuine flag potential years. Time to be present and make those memories be just that, not dictate what’s happening in the now.
Nah I dont mate, too young ;)

I agree, but why hate on the bloke that delivered the success that none of us ever thought possible?

I guess I choose positivity over negativity, its how I cope haha
 

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I’ll always love Dimma but the recent events have taken a little tiny shine off for me but who cares.

He doesn’t owe us anything. Get over it peeps. Deliver 3 flags I never thought I’d see and you can * us over after that all you like.

People forget this is a business and not all business decisions are solid.
Strange attitude!

That's like saying that they gave me three children so they can screw me over and take me to the cleaners all they want.
 
Strange attitude!

That's like saying that they gave me three children so they can screw me over and take me to the cleaners all they want.
This here is the problem with so many.

You take sport too serious. It’s a ****n game.

If you’re comparing family to footy then you sir have some deep rooted issues
 
So you want a club to be run based on the exploitation of idiots by a ruling elite or something more meaningful where many fans can embrace and enjoy the rise and rewards of success of a fruitful journey from achieving well earned premiership victories by our players as a team??
Are you talking about Richmond or Australia? Gonna be a long time waiting for the 2nd half if it's Australia.
 
Tzatziki_Man where’d you hear that Yze wasn’t keen on how we shifted our players around to different roles?

If true I’d be stoked to get a coach playing midfielders as midfielders (eg get Ross back in the guts), have maybe one or two mids who play forward in stints (Dusty, Bolton), but then play actual forwards there. Get players back into their natural positions.

Maybe that’s also what he was alluding to when he said he wants the game to be easy to play/understand.
Tatzaki man was to yze what dribbles was to mini , hate to break it to anyone who wasnt in on it ,,,,,classic 101 psychic John Edward’s fishing the audience
 
Tatzaki man was to yze what dribbles was to mini , hate to break it to anyone who wasnt in on it ,,,,,classic 101 psychic John Edward’s fishing the audience
I hope you enjoyed the show
 

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Tatzaki man was to yze what dribbles was to mini , hate to break it to anyone who wasnt in on it ,,,,,classic 101 psychic John Edward’s fishing the audience

Just wrong.

Spoke to him several times throughout as we shared info and he’s been spot on as well as revealed his sources.

Tzatziki_Man is gonna be a great source of info.
 
Yze says a focus will be on Defense and Contest which has essentially been Melbournes mantra over the last couple years, that we aren't a top 4 defensive side and the teams in pre lims all have defense/systems that kept them in the games. Also mentions liking our handball chains and quick ball movement so hopefully we retain that and don't become as dour as melbourne.

 
Yze says a focus will be on Defense and Contest which has essentially been Melbournes mantra over the last couple years, that we aren't a top 4 defensive side and the teams in pre lims all have defense/systems that kept them in the games. Also mentions liking our handball chains and quick ball movement so hopefully we retain that and don't become as dour as melbourne.

Defence and strong in the contest very happy to hear that will be a focus.

We have some good offensive weapons so if he can give the group an attitude adjustment to focus on the stuff that wins flags, as long as we don't get too dour and realise we need to score to win games too, then I have high hopes.

There's no doubt our pressure and contest stuff has gotten sloppy these last few years.
 
Yze says a focus will be on Defense and Contest which has essentially been Melbournes mantra over the last couple years, that we aren't a top 4 defensive side and the teams in pre lims all have defense/systems that kept them in the games. Also mentions liking our handball chains and quick ball movement so hopefully we retain that and don't become as dour as melbourne.

Melb adopted our forward handball but were also very good at defending it , their small forwards in kozi and chandler were offense first defensive second, I think we have the assets to emulate that
 
Yze says a focus will be on Defense and Contest which has essentially been Melbournes mantra over the last couple years, that we aren't a top 4 defensive side and the teams in pre lims all have defense/systems that kept them in the games. Also mentions liking our handball chains and quick ball movement so hopefully we retain that and don't become as dour as melbourne.

As long as it’s the handball chains of 2017-2022 and not the handball chains to nowhere in 2023 then I’m happy.

Our handballing was decent even in 2021 and 2022. It was awful this year.
 
As long as it’s the handball chains of 2017-2022 and not the handball chains to nowhere in 2023 then I’m happy.

Our handballing was decent even in 2021 and 2022. It was awful this year.
Shedda and Lambo had elite hands, their replacements not so much
 
Yze says a focus will be on Defense and Contest which has essentially been Melbournes mantra over the last couple years, that we aren't a top 4 defensive side and the teams in pre lims all have defense/systems that kept them in the games. Also mentions liking our handball chains and quick ball movement so hopefully we retain that and don't become as dour as melbourne.


Music to my ears.

Again validated a lot of posters thoughts on the last three years.

But that game style is what wins finals. Defence first. Be solid and don’t give up scores. We can then attack that.

He’s a bloody good operator. Can’t wait for this new era.
 
Confirmed we're bigger than the Pies.This article was the Headline on the H/sun site.


Richmond Tigers coach Adem Yze talks connection with Neale Daniher, the big issues at Tigerland​

Adem Yze was tracking towards history in 2007, until a tough but fair decision by Neale Daniher ended it. Richmond’s new coach reflects on how that moment forged his coaching beliefs.


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Jon Ralph


02:54
Yze beats out McQualter for Tigers top job

AFL: Adam Yze has beaten out caretaker coach Andrew McQualter to be chosen as the new Tigers head coach.


What could have been the most humbling moment of Adem Yze’s career became a window into the coaching “genius” of an AFL luminary.
The silky Melbourne left-footer was 18 games short of Jim Stynes’ cherished record of 244 consecutive games when coach Neale Daniher dropped the hammer on him.
He snapped Yze’s 11-year streak of 226 straight matches in round 2, 2007, denying the 29-year-old a chance at history.
It is the day after Yze has been appointed Richmond’s 42nd VFL-AFL coach and as he drives into the Tigers AFLW game he is asked to reflect on that decision from a coaching perspective.
As it turns out, Daniher had perfectly read the moment in the same way Yze would hope he can in his new Richmond tenure.
[PLAYERCARD]Adem Yze[/PLAYERCARD] and Neale Daniher.

Adem Yze and Neale Daniher.
“I had an amazing relationship with Neale. It was after round 1 and there was the possibility I could pass Jimmy’s record that year,” Yze tells this masthead.
“I would go in for a routine post-game meeting and at the end of that meeting there was something in the paper about the pressure and whether I would make it to the milestone.
“He asked about the pressure. I was adamant I didn’t care about the milestone.
“And he said we have to make sure it’s not impacting your form. Your teammates need to make sure you are playing for them and not that milestone.
“And I said if that’s the case I would rather not play. Let‘s break it. If I don’t play hard enough it’s because I haven’t played hard enough.”
The pair reconvened over a coffee catch-up later that week and Daniher’s mind was made up.
“He said I am going to release that pressure and take away all the anxiety and outside noise. We won’t play you this week and we can bring you in next week and get our season going. “So he did it for me. It was awesome. (The milestone) wasn’t a goal of mine.
“I look at that and think, “If I was a coach and I showed that much care … even though it looked like he dropped me, he was doing it for my form and almost for my own wellbeing. I don’t hold any grudges. It’s the genius of Neale. He was a hard man but a really smart man and a caring man. I hope I can have an impact like that on some of my players.”
Yze is finally in the driver’s seat at Richmond – beating out interim coach Andrew McQualter – in part because can build those relationships like Daniher.
He cannot wait, even if the stresses of coaching are always close by.
Yze praised Daniher’s coaching style, citing their amazing relationship.

Yze praised Daniher’s coaching style, citing their amazing relationship.
The string of sleepless nights analysing Melbourne’s semi-final loss were instantly replaced by lying wide awake pondering his new Tigers role.
The mood for change at Punt Road is obvious after three seasons without a finals victory, Yze tapping into it as he told the selection panel: “If you get stuck in the past, you die in the present’.
But the challenges are obvious.
The club’s one true superstar in Dustin Martin is 32, bookends Tom Lynch and Josh Gibcus spent the 2023 season sidelined and Richmond titans Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin retired weeks ago.
There is a vast talent and leadership drain from the 2020 premiership side.
And yet in this list Yze sees vast promise, even if he concedes the Tigers need a dash of luck” when they continue what he calls a list “regeneration”.

STYLE OF PLAY​

“My philosophy is around coaching the player first. Around clarity and connection. You try to coach their heads and hearts, but it’s about contest and defence,” Yze says.
“My philosophy is based around being stable and strong in the contest and letting your offence come off the back of that.”
Yze took his son Noah to Friday night’s preliminary final – great mate and potential coaching recruit Brett Ratten was sitting only 10 metres away – and basked in the spectacle.
(He learnt from Alastair Clarkson footy clubs must remain family friendly, with Yze’s daughter Jasmine growing up playing footy with new Hawks star Jasmine Fleming).
But he also says it was instructive that both clubs kept in the match despite a dour offensively poor game because of their strong defence and contest.
Yze has surely drilled into the stats around Richmond’s mediocre season.
But to the eye the most alarming aspect of the season was the total lack of pressure around the ball.
The club’s DNA – insane pressure at the ball carrier – had evaporated.
Yze doesn’t disagree.
“Yes, but to be fair when you have had success you feel everyone is chasing you so you think you have to tweak your game plan. Richmond in the flag era was easy to scout but hard to beat. So it’s not about trying to create new tricks and new game plans,” he says.
“It’s upskilling players who can get better at those roles in that system. (Richmond) went away from that because they were getting chased (tactically) and they were getting their game plan pulled apart. That’s only my opinion. But I have a clear focus on getting the boys re-energised, which is exciting.”
Yze highlighted the importance of clarity and connection. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Yze highlighted the importance of clarity and connection. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

THE BOOKENDS​

Yze didn’t waste any time asking the club’s fitness staff about the availability of the big bloke in the No. 19 jumper.
The good news for Richmond fans is after twin surgeries on his broken metatarsal Tom Lynch has turned the corner.
“It was the first question I asked in the meeting yesterday before the press conference.
Not only is a great player, he is a terrific leader around the club and he can help the young forwards,” Yze says.
“Hearing those words yesterday that he’s progressing really well and out of a (moon) boot and should be ready to get into the pre-season, it’s awesome.
“I flicked him a message yesterday once I heard that. I’m really excited that he’s on the mend but also the impact he can have on the young boys.”
After a wildly exciting 18-game debut season No. 9 draft pick Josh Gibcus tore his hamstring tendon, with a reinfection ending his season before it started.
But Yze says he is off to Dubai to finetune his body with a training program that prioritises injury prevention.
“He is on a program where everything is tracking really nicely,” he says.
“They will even send him overseas to see the experts over there to set a really clear plan for next year. It’s awesome. He’s going over to Dubai. Strong footy clubs look at all avenues. He is progressing nicely and touch wood he shouldn’t miss any of our pre-season. It’s about giving him the best chance to strengthen (his hamstrings) and not go through this again.”
Tom Lynch missed a huge chunk of 2023. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Tom Lynch missed a huge chunk of 2023. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Josh Gibcus has shown plenty of promise. Photo by Michael Klein

Josh Gibcus has shown plenty of promise. Photo by Michael Klein
Richmond is attempting to circumvent equalisation policies in the same manner as Geelong – compete endlessly rather than rebuild.
Yet Geelong had Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins as constants, then brought in the generational midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, then the brilliant free agent Jeremy Cameron.
Geelong are the exception, not the rule, which is why Yze acknowledges the Tigers will need luck in coming years with injury to pull off his mission of bouncing back into the top four.
“If you are in a regeneration phase which we are – and the process was started 18 months ago – you need to give them a clear focus but you need a lot of luck with injuries,” he says.
“GWS had zero injuries at the right time of the year. At Melbourne we started getting injuries to critical players at the wrong time of the year. Tom Lynch and Josh Gibcus were the full back and full forward. So it’s not to say we can’t win, it’s just that if we have everyone available we will be really exciting and hard to play against. But we just need some luck with injuries when we are going through this process. Touch wood we get the best of both.’’

THE CHAMPION​

Yze won’t try to change Dustin Martin, but he will ask even more from him at a club that can no longer count on Riewoldt and Cotchin’s sage counsel or on-ground instruction.
He says he will have succeeded if Martin remains a one-club player because he will have created an atmosphere mixing enjoyment and high performance.
He has coached the champions before, with Lance Franklin similar to Martin in his love of the game, his reclusive media nature and his capacity to take the kids under his wing.
Richmond is keen to extend Martin’s deal past next year in an environment where he clearly looked around at clubs including Gold Coast before staying put. Yze said he would love to give Martin the chance to win a fourth premiership but even if he doesn’t there the new Tigers coach believes the triple Norm Smith Medallist has so much to give.
“He was almost one of the first players to send me a message to wish me all the best. He’s an amazing talent and I have some real empathy around Dusty with how big he is in the AFL industry. Coaching Lance Franklin (at Hawthorn) was similar. I have some clarity on how to coach those boys who are under pressure with all the external pressure based on who they are.
“Make it a fun environment to come into in our footy club and that should hopefully be a release for them when they come into our doors.
“Dusty is a Richmond man …. If he could finish his career here. To be fair I will be trying to win some more silverware for him and that would be an amazing way to go out. But if that doesn’t happen, if can go and help Jack Ross become a better player and hand over the baton to Shai Bolton and allow these guys to take the club forward.
“I will be hoping we not only see him next year but for a few more years after that as well.”
Yze said the selfless nature of Luke Breust’s decision to knock back rival offers including GWS after three premierships showed how satisfying remaining at a club in transition can be.
“He’s not the same type of player but I am really close with Luke Breust and he had a decision to make on whether he left the Hawthorn footy club and finish his career somewhere else. But he decided to stay because of his legacy and he wanted to impart his knowledge onto players. I find the humility around that amazing.”
Dustin Martin looks set to bring up 300 games as a Tiger. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Dustin Martin looks set to bring up 300 games as a Tiger. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

ON THE TOOLS​

In an era when senior coaches can become almost EPL-style managers, Yze says it is critical he gets his hands dirty working one-on-one with players.
Tim Taranto and Shai Bolton shared 1160 possessions and 50 goals between them in 2023 so they are not the problem, but both kicked the ball poorly once more.
“I love the art of kicking,” says Yze.
“In my first year I grabbed ‘Trac’ (Christian Petracca) and on our day off we would have a kick at the park. It was just the fun of shaping the footy and the art of kicking and having fun and not being so robotic.
“I love doing it, it gives me great connection with the players and if it was Tim Taranto I could put my arm around him and hone in on the finer parts of this game.
“When you look at the kicking percentages if you play in the wet and have a game plan around surge footy and booting it on, then your percentages suffer. I won’t be looking at percentages about efficiency but if we have good conditions I would expect we are going to share the ball and shift the ball really well and hopefully that way we look a more skilful team.”
Tigers CEO Brendon Gale has already urged greater levels of leadership from Dustin Martin next season, and it is here that Yze spies an opportunity.
“Dusty is an amazing kick so part of his leadership might be helping the players with the kicking program. And imparting his knowledge around the feel of kicking,” he says.
[PLAYERCARD]Adem Yze[/PLAYERCARD] meets the Tiger faithful. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Adem Yze meets the Tiger faithful. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

THE YOUNG CORE​

Richmond has a core of 12 players with untapped talent including 2021 national draftees Gibcus, Tom Brown (pick 17), Tyler Sonsie (pick 28), Sam Banks (pick 29), and Judson Clark (pick 30).

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Revealed: Killer line in Yze’s interview that won over Tigers
To put it bluntly, the club’s future finals aspirations will depend upon Yze’s capacity to turn more than just Gibcus into A-grade talent.
Yeah, I can’t wait to coach them and I hope they feel excited by the opportunities,” says Yze of the under-25s.
“There are guys retiring and not only guys on the list, guys who play every week. So there are a couple of positions available every week. As a young player coming into the system when Todd Viney retired or Garry Lyon retired, I was in my third year and thinking, “There is a little carrot there”. So when they rock up on day one we will see guys hungry for those positions. There is a lot of excitement for a coach, knowing there is opportunity and waiting to see who is going to take it.”

 

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