Strategy What is the best Richmond midfield mix for 2025?

[Michaels]

What is the best midfield mix for Richmond in 2025?

Our midfield mix is something that has left a lot to be desired the last couple of years and 2025 presents some more challengers in this space.

A lot will argue that Prestia, Taranto and Hopper are our best starting mids.

As individual players they all fit the bill, BUT as a collective trio I think we lack too much speed and X factor with all 3 in the guts together.



In the video below Grock and I took a look at it, definitely plenty to consider!

Who are you going with?

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Hotton the forgotten man. If he can get some continuity in his game post rehab he will be that speed and x factor we lack. Similar to Shai but wants to be a midfielder where Shai I feel almost begrudgingly went into the centre.

 

[Michaels]

Hotton the forgotten man. If he can get some continuity in his game post rehab he will be that speed and x factor we lack. Similar to Shai but wants to be a midfielder where Shai I feel almost begrudgingly went into the centre.

I agree on Hotton but I feel like he might be a 2026 midfield play with us leaning on the side of caution

But long term, he adds a ton of x factor!!

 

[Drunken Wookie]

I agree on Hotton but I feel like he might be a 2026 midfield play with us leaning on the side of caution

But long term, he adds a ton of x factor!!

He's back running and into ball work post Chrissy from what I've read. Hoping he can string some VFL games together by mid-year and get a look in in the back half. Was pumped we took him will be a star.

 

[Michaels]

He's back running and into ball work post Chrissy from what I've read. Hoping he can string some VFL games together by mid-year and get a look in in the back half. Was pumped we took him will be a star.

Would LOVE to see him in for 7-8 games if his form warrants it!

 

[DickieKnee]

Lalor too is a handy forward to by all reports. Would hope to see at least a couple of our new recruits playing senior footy by the end of 2025.

 

[tiger_tough]

Prestia, Taranto, Hopper, Smillie and McAuliffe.
Hotton or Lalor to replace Prestia in 2026.

 

[4tune8]

What is the best midfield mix for Richmond in 2025?

Our midfield mix is something that has left a lot to be desired the last couple of years and 2025 presents some more challengers in this space.

A lot will argue that Prestia, Taranto and Hopper are our best starting mids.

As individual players they all fit the bill, BUT as a collective trio I think we lack too much speed and X factor with all 3 in the guts together.



In the video below Grock and I took a look at it, definitely plenty to consider!

Who are you going with?

I look at the Lions midfield and don't see a lot of pace there with Neale, Dunkley, McLuggage and Berry. What I do see however is speed of ball movement where the mids extract from stoppages then get it to either fast players or excellent distributors by foot, so those 2nd and 3rd receivers are the key to speed. It's probably why I was most keen on Lindsay and Oliver in the draft as they were the best kicks, they didn't fall our way as they were both gone at our selections but i have no doubt that they would have been high on our board.

Begs the question then, where does our link up speed and/or foot distribution come from? There's been an obvious lean towards ball movement in the preseason so far but I'm wondering who provides that burst off HB and who are those outside players that can deliver with precision.

HRS has foot speed, but I'm unsure of his kicking skills, seems to rush his disposals or used to. I'm at a bit of a loss though trying to identify anyone else, maybe Kaleb Smith. Brown and Banks look to have good kicking skills as does Bauer who could play that higher HF role linking up with transitional plays, MRJ certainly has burst speed but not full time. Judson Clarke has speed and kicking skills. Will be a lot to play out in this area and will be fascinating to see.

 

[tony__montana]

Prestia, Taranto, Hopper, Smillie and McAuliffe.
Hotton or Lalor to replace Prestia in 2026.

Ross will also be part of the rotations

 

[Grrr]

Ross will also be part of the rotations

Ross is a similar type to Smillie in some respects. Quite agile, similar speed, holds the ball and can take the tackler on and still makes good decisions. But he is hardened, deserves a really good crack in the middle so is surely over Smillie who won't be far away.

If Taranto, Hopper, Prestia, Ross and McAuliffe get through preseason, then that is a strong midfield over and around the ball and should not get beaten up. Really need McAuliffe to use his pace and give some spread offensively because that is where our midfield is not strong, although Prestia has always been a very attacking player.

 

[Madtiger2006]

We’ll need to alternate every one at Centre bounces. We should be competitive enough. Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, Mcauliff, Ross, Dow, Lalor, Smilie

 

[Boston tiger]

This defensive speed that we lack isn’t the problem. Once good midfield groups get hold of the ball first there isn’t much you can do.
We need to add value when we get it first… need some brains in there.
Prestia knows what to do .
Taranto doesn’t link up at all unless it’s a basic handball.
Hooper I’m not sure about . He has a sidestep which looks good but would rather he a linked up with a handball.
McCauliff looked like a natural.
Ross can link up.

No injuries and hard work in the pre season should help things.

 

[tiger_tough]

Ross will also be part of the rotations

Yeah probably, if hes not on a wing.

 

[sante]

Dow and only Dow

 

[DickieKnee]

Dow and only Dow

We tanking for another spoon?

 

[rammmbo]

1 experienced mid + Nank then 2 young mids is what I want to see.

Also 1 of Hopper or prestia should be playing vfl to help fast track development..

Carnt see yze doing this though as he will be trying to get short term results to save his own arse so it will be Tarranto Hopper and prestia as much as possible.

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

Send hopper down forward, caddy mk2.. Too late and won't happen tho

 

[rammmbo]

Send hopper down forward, caddy mk2.. Too late and won't happen tho

Hopper is only of any value as an mid same with prestia.

Tarranto has some ability as a forward but don't want him there either because there way better options.

 

[THE_GUN]

In the mix for 2025

Taranto , Hopper , Prestia , McAuliffe , Sonsie , Smillie & Lalor on limited minutes

If they stay healthy and if they dont then we will start seeing the likes of Campbell , Clarke , Green making cameo appearances

 

[kozi]

Sonsie Dow and get RCD back

 

[tiger_tough]

Send hopper down forward, caddy mk2.. Too late and won't happen tho

Thats Taranto if anyone.

 

[sregit]

We’ll need to alternate every one at Centre bounces. We should be competitive enough. Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, Mcauliff, Ross, Dow, Lalor, Smilie

Dow should be rotated into the 2s. He will be gone at season’s end unless there is a phenomenal amount of improvement in his game. I can’t see it.

 

[Damo80]

As individual players they all fit the bill, BUT as a collective trio I think we lack too much speed and X factor with all 3 in the guts

I have a suspicion we’ll see MRJ attend a fair amount of centres bounce stoppages next year. Adds exactly what the others lack, and had started to be injected in there on occasions this season.

Surprised his name hasn’t been thrown up to this point!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Michaels]

I have a suspicion we’ll see MRJ attend a fair amount of centres bounce stoppages next year. Adds exactly what the others lack, and had started to be injected in there on occasions this season.

Surprised his name hasn’t been thrown up to this point!


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I'm 100% with you, I have been throwing up MRJ's name to go into the middle since half way through last year I reckon.

It was good to see him doing this craft at VFL level as well but I think his speed and pressure could be of real use.

 

[Ralll]

By default it's Hopper, Taranto and Prestia, with Lalor, Smillie and Hotton (as well as other highly rated youngsters on the fast track list) getting as much experience as possible.
We use Ross, Dow and co. as backup and to fill the rest of the midfield spots as their form warrants.