With the decade coming to a close it is the perfect time to look back and celebrate the achievements of this time. In that spirit we have selected the Richmond Team of the Decade. It is perhaps no surprise that with two premierships in the last three seasons, the squad is heavily made up of players from these two teams.
BACKS
Richmond has had one of the stingiest defences in the competition for the last few seasons and it is easy to see why with this collection of Tiger premiership stars. With six All-Australian jerseys and 11 premiership medals between them it is one impressive group that would shape up well against the best forward lines of the decade.
MIDFIELD
With speed, pressure, and commitment, Richmond’s midfield has consistently worn down and overpowered their opponents in recent years. Five of this group of six and their relentless attack at ball and opposition alike have been integral to the club’s charge to two premierships in three years. While Deledio’s class and skill thrilled Tigers fans in the years preceding the long awaited return to the big time.
FORWARDS
Necessity is often the mother of invention, as was the case in Richmond’s one tall, five smalls forward setup that catapulted them to the 2017 flag and 2018 minor premiership. Some might not agree with our selection of Martin up forward, believing he should be in the midfield, but we thought we’d honour the team selection for the 2017 Grand Final and pencil him in at Centre Half Forward. At the end of the day, wherever he plays, he is going to cause some headaches for the oppostion.
INTERCHANGE
The depth of hard running, pressure applying smalls with goal sense is clear for all to see with this bench. All three of Castagna, Edwards and Graham have the ability to make an impact with limited opportunity making them the perfect accompaniment to the first XVIII. The same is true of big bodied, cult hero Maric, who would provide strong cover for Nankervis when the first ruck needed a chop out.
Richmond Team of the Decade
FB: Broad Rance Grimes
HB: Houli Astbury Vlastuin
C: Ellis Prestia Caddy
HF: McIntosh Martin Lambert
FF: Grigg Riewoldt Rioli
R: Nankervis Cotchin Deledio
INT: Castagna Edwards Graham Maric
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