Richmond's 2022 review: The Hope, the Hurt and the Clanger

Richmond's 2022 campaign finished in dramatic fashion, as a nail-biting ending ensued on Thursday night up at The Gabba against Brisbane.

17 lead changes occurred during the elimination epic, with the margin not exceeding 16 points as both sides wrestled momentum from one another.

Tom Lynch took a contested mark deep in the pocket late in the final term, with a goal all but cinching victory.

However, a supposedly errant kick that saw the ball soar over the goal post had all viewers in shock as to what the decision would be.

The goal-umpire signalled six points, but still went upstairs to the ARC to ensure the correct call was made.

After much deliberation, the decision was overturned and the Tigers were awarded one point.

A minute later, the Lions went down the other end were some Joe Daniher heroics saved the home side from yet another finals defeat, as the club knocked off Richmond by two points.

The season ended in disappointment as highs and lows were experienced all throughout.

Following three flags in four years, the Tigers returned to finals football after missing in 2021.

With Dustin Martin out for most of the year, the task looked tough in 2022, especially given the poor start to the season.

The club was 2-4 after round six, with wins against Western Bulldogs and the Giants the only positives early in the piece.

However, an 109-point drubbing of an undermanned and decimated West Coast kick-started a string of wins that put Richmond back into finals relevance.

Following four consecutive wins, Sydney was their next task, as another controversial ending took place.

The Swans prevailed by six points, but could've cost themselves two points as Chad Warner kicked the ball into the crowd although Richmond were due to take a free kick from 70 metres out. 

Debate took place over whether or not the Tigers should've been awarded a 50 metre penalty, putting Dion Prestia in goal-kicking distance.

At the bye, Damien Hardwick's men sat 6-5 and were ready to attack the second half of the year.

The month after the bye was near perfect by Richmond, who put together three wins and a narrow loss to Geelong (three points), despite being a worthy winner on the day.

However, a disappointing fortnight was about to transpire, with back-to-back losses to Gold Coast and North Melbourne.

Noah Anderson broke the hearts of Tigers fans with a goal after the siren, while Cam Zurhaar's six-goal effort delivered North Melbourne's second win of the season.

Sitting just in the eight on percentage, finals was on the line.

The side put four wins and a draw in the remaining five rounds together, booking themselves a spot in September, with the rest being history.

Three Tigers players were rewarded with All-Australian squad selections, as Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Lynch took their spot in the 44-man lineup.

However, only Bolton would be apart of the best 22, being placed on the half forward.

The Hope

Young midfield

With the exciting prospect of landing Tim Taranto, the Giants bull will join a young midfield brigade that consists of Bolton, Jack Graham, Jack Ross, Jayden Short alongside veterans Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia.

Taranto (24) will be a like-for-like replacement for Cotchin as a tough, inside rover giving his teammates first look.

Bolton's speed and elusiveness as well as Graham's gut-running ability and Short's damaging foot skills will all complement the pick two from the 2016 Draft as the Tigers will soon have a much more balanced midfield and more depth.

Tom Lynch

As long as Lynch is playing, Richmond remain relevant in the premiership race.

In arguably his best season to date, the former-Sun put together an All-Australian worthy season, especially given his absence from four games.

Slotting 63 goals and being deadly accurate (63.6 per cent), Lynch proved to be the difference at times throughout the season and had the game in his hands on the weekend.

The 29-year-old led the league in contested marks (62) and averaged 3.4 marks inside 50, ranking elite.

The Hurt

Premiership stars retiring

Richmond waved goodbye to three of their premiership stars, with Josh Caddy, Kane Lambert and Shane Edwards all departing from Punt Road.

Edwards, who played in all three flags (2017, 2019, 2020), tallied 303 games for the Tigers as well as being selected in the 2018 All-Australian side.

Lambert was also a three-time premiership player, despite being overlooked in many drafts prior to being selected in 2015.

Caddy joined the Tigers at the beginning of 2017, after coming from Gold Coast and Geelong in the previous years.

The former-Cat was a two-time premiership player and a key contributor to the team's success.

ARC review - Tom Lynch's miss

Prior to Daniher's clutch goal, Lynch had the opportunity to put the game to bed but unfortunately the ARC denied that chance.

The ex-Sun had a shot from the pocket that looked like sneaking in, although the review saw it different despite the goal umpire's decision for six points.

What seemed to be insufficient evidence to overturn the umpire's call, the ARC review somehow found something to change the decision and ultimately the course of the game.

The AFL ticked off the decision to call Tom Lynch's late shot a behind last night. pic.twitter.com/RUB55WIiOQ

— Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) September 2, 2022

Post game, Hardwick expressed his frustration and anger at the sweeping disappointment felt by the Tiger faithful.

"Why don’t we just let the umpires make the call? They’re paid to do a job, let them do a job – or don’t have them, one of the two," Hardwick said.

The Clanger

Joe Daniher's last-minute goal

In the most crucial moment of the game, experienced Richmond players had a momentary lapse that costed them the game and ultimately their season.

Leading by four points with 70 seconds to go, Zac Bailey pumped the ball deep inside 50 for the Lions, landing the ball in the goal square, leaving Tigers players the opportunity to knock it through the points.

Jack Riewoldt, Toby Nankervis, Robbie Tarrant and Noah Balta guarded the goal square and had the chance to win it for their side.

Daniher, alongside defender JackPayne tried to even the contest, but struggled to fly for the ball.

Balta, Nankervis and Tarrant all rose to clear the ball, essentially competing against one another as Daniher was able to read the ball and crumb the spillage, hacking the football out of mid air through the big sticks.

In that moment, Richmond had no coverage on the goal line nor were they able to kill the ball and found themselves in a vulnerable position.

What do Richmond need?

Aside from Geelong, Richmond are the second oldest team (25.1 years old) in the competition, with some of their stars still being heavily relied upon.

Dylan Grimes, Tarrant, Riewoldt, Martin, Cotchin and Prestia are all nearing retirement and will need some youngsters to replace them.

Although Bolton, Graham, Nathan Broad, Nick Vlastuin, Liam Baker and Daniel Rioli look to be the next wave to carry the Tiger side, there isn't enough young talent at the moment to really contend for the flag in the next year or two.

Josh Gibcus and Maurice Rioli look ready made players but the Tigers need to simply add more.

The club currently holds picks 12, 19 and 30 in the upcoming draft and can use that to select some future midfielders and half backs to bolster their list.

Players linked to the club

Tim Taranto is all but set to land at Punt Road, as the deal was put on hold until after Richmond's campaign finished.

The GWS midfielder looks like signing a long-term seven year contract, as the Tigers look to bolster their young midfield brigade.

Teammate Jacob Hopper has also been on the radar of Richmond, but seems unlikely given his link to Geelong.

2022 Out-of-contract players

Retirees and Delistings