The game has changed, it always does.
We are on the slide, but I'd take 4 years with 3 flags over 10 years of making the PF or GF and winning none any day.
The stars are dimming, but they get to run around because they are the stars who brought us 3 flags.
Time to sit back and assess where we are and where we need to go.
Ok, Riewoldt, Shedda and Cotchin - they get to run around for the rest of the year, with some games off "managed". Shedda, if he regains form, may be able to go on but he needs to find form soon. Lambert is also a worry, his injury suggests he will struggle to play much from now on.
We need a clear assessment of the younger players as to where they are at, and who will be in the next Richmond team to be a contender:
Parker - appears to be not up to AFL level, has been given a chance but not consistent enough.
Aarts - another not up to AFL level and has been given a fair number of games, not good enough.
RCD - NFI, get games into him at AFL level and let's see if he is good enough before the end of 2022 and make a decision.
Dow - keep playing him, can be good enough, maybe some missed games to manage him, still young.
Graham - play for a few more games and then maybe back to VFL to see if he can improve, decision at end of contract.
Sonsie - get some games into him at AFL level.
Ross - play him in the guts for maybe 3-5 games, if he can't make it there, forget it. He is no winger, not quick enough. His role needs to be get ball, spread, otherwise goodbye.
Soldo - keep, he has shown he can be good enough, back in the seniors when he has more confidence.
Gibcus - keep playing in AFL with some weeks off as he is young and it is a long season.
Clarke - get some games at AFL level.
Banks - games at AFL level
Ralphsmith - persist, shows signs, seems quick, can work on disposals, is young and needs more experience.
Stack - so difficult, I would keep him in the VFL until he shows he has the fitness for AFL, then a few games.
Brown - games at AFL level.
Mansell - games at AFL level
Ryan - develop in VFL, young tall will take time, find opportunities to play at AFL level.
Martyn - hmm, difficult, maybe see how he goes at VFL level with a view to a game or 2 at AFL level.
Cumberland - games at AFL level
Nyuon - games at AFL level
Miller - persist, has height, can run, decent disposal. Is confidence the factor? I don't know, but has potential to be a solid if unspectacular defender.
MRJ - looks to be a project, can he play in the middle? I don't know but let's try and, if not, can he be an effective small forward?
What we need to be thinking is whether a player would fit in a team that is able to contend for a flag. We are at the point where the older stars have dimmed too much to contend again, they deserve our respect and thanks and for that they get to continue until the end of 2022. But, we need to be looking at our next contending team, and understand it will be a few years away. 2022 is already looking like a write off so getting some games into the youngsters, seeing whether those who have been around for 2 or 3 years can make it and getting games into the youngsters is the way forward. The older players can also be playing at least partially to direct and teach the younger players, they may not be able to win flags any more but they can pass on the wisdom of those who have won flags.
DS
