Richmond’s famed pressure fell away only marginally, but still tellingly, towards the end of last season. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

RICHMOND
2018 record: 19 wins, 5 losses (3rd)
List age ranking (oldest to youngest): 9th
List experience ranking (most to fewest games): 4th
Footyology draw ranking (easiest to hardest): 14th

THE INS
Tom Lynch (Gold Coast), Maverick Weller (St Kilda), Riley Collier-Dawkins (Oakleigh Chargers), Jack Ross (Oakleigh Chargers), Fraser Turner (Clarence), Luke English (Perth), Jake Aarts (Richmond VFL), Sydney Stack (Perth)

THE OUTS
Reece Conca (Fremantle), Sam Lloyd (Western Bulldogs), Anthony Miles (Gold Coast), Corey Ellis (Gold Coast), Tyson Stengle (Adelaide), Ben Griffiths (retired), Shaun Hampson (retired), Nathan Drummond (delisted)

THE BEST 22
B: Nick Vlastuin, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes
HB: Bachar Houli, Alex Rance, Jayden Short
C: Shaun Grigg, Kane Lambert, Shane Edwards
HF: Josh Caddy, Jack Riewoldt, Jason Castagna
F: Daniel Rioli, Tom Lynch, Jack Higgins
R: Toby Nankervis, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin
Inter: Dion Prestia, Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Graham, Nathan Broad
Emerg: Brandon Ellis, Dan Butler, Maverick Weller, Jacob Townsend

THE PROGNOSIS
Richmond’s 2018 was hardly flawless. But the Tigers did prove themselves the best side in the competition over a five-month period, finishing the home and away rounds two games clear on top of the ladder.

Finals being what they are, ultimately just one untimely poor performance and an injury to superstar Dustin Martin were enough to deny them what would have been thoroughly deserved back-to-back premierships.

That hurts. But it still means that when it comes to 2019, there’s not that much remedial work to be done. There’s also, of course, the recruitment of one of the best key forwards in the competition in Tom Lynch. Which means it would be a major shock if Richmond wasn’t again up to its neck in the pointy end of the season.

The Tigers had the second-best attack and second-best defence in the competition last season, as well as the best percentage (136.1), thanks to an average winning margin of 37 points. They still have four bona fide superstars in Martin, Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin. Last season also saw the emergence of Jayden Short and Jack Higgins.

Lynch adds a whole new dimension, giving Richmond a wonderful key forward target and at the same time relieving some of the pressure on Riewoldt.

Whilst you could argue that the inclusion of a new piece in the forward set-up risks throwing out the chemistry created by the existing structure, there’s probably a stronger one that with the new 6-6-6 centre bounce rule and the extra space forwards are likely to have after the bounces, Lynch’s arrival is perfect timing.

The concerns? They’re not major relative to most of the Tigers’ rivals. But the ruck set-up is certainly one area coach Damien Hardwick will have thought long and hard about given how critical was Collingwood’s ruck dominance in the preliminary final defeat.

Under the new centre bounce laws, Shaun Grigg as a pinch-hitting back-up to No.1 man Toby Nankervis is a less viable option. Ivan Soldo is the most genuine alternative, but picking him as well as Nankervis may also cost the Tigers some flexibility. Even Lynch might spend some time giving Nankervis a chop-out.

Depth might also be more of an issue for Richmond than previously, after something of a spring clean in which the likes of Reece Conca, Sam Lloyd, Anthony Miles, Corey Ellis and Tyson Stengle all departed Punt Road. Maverick Weller is another import who should see his share of senior action as a result.

The other more intangible factor to be watched closely is Richmond’s famed pressure.

Whilst it was only a marginal decline, the Tigers did fall away in that department last season compared to their 2017 levels, and in retrospect, some narrow wins over Geelong, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs over the last month or so of the season proper might have been a good indicator that Richmond wasn’t quite as sharp as it had been heading into September 12 months previously.

Those 2017 levels of hunger are going to have to be restored for the Tigers to ensure the best possible chance of atoning for that preliminary final nightmare. But in terms of the raw materials, they couldn’t possibly be better placed.

THE PREDICTION
2nd. Plenty of stars, a proven formula for success, good coaching, it’s all there for Richmond. And while the pain of last September can’t be erased, it’s certainly a pretty good motivator for the Tigers making sure they get a step further this time.

THE LADDER SO FAR (click on team to read)
2. RICHMOND
3. MELBOURNE
4. ADELAIDE
5. COLLINGWOOD
6. ESSENDON
7. NORTH MELBOURNE
8. GEELONG
9. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
10. HAWTHORN
11. SYDNEY
12. BRISBANE LIONS
13. PORT ADELAIDE
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS
15. FREMANTLE
16. CARLTON
17. ST KILDA
18. GOLD COAST