Here are the selections from John Ralph for discussion.
RICHMOND
FB: R. Tarrant, N. Balta, N. Broad
HB: N. Vlastuin, D. Grimes, D. Rioli
C: J. Short, T. Taranto, K. McIntosh
HF: S. Bolton, J. Riewoldt, M. Rioli
F: D. Martin, T. Lynch, N. Cumberland
Foll: T. Nankervis, D. Prestia, J. Hopper
I/C: L. Baker, B. Miller, M. Pickett, T. Cotchin
Sub: T. Sonsie
Notable absentees: J. Gibcus, J. Ross, J. Graham, H. Ralphsmith, J. Clark, I. Soldo
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper come into the side as round 1 locks and immediately supply the kind of selection pressure that will require Trent Cotchin to maintain the faith and Tyler Sonsie to continue his development.
Josh Gibcus’ early-season absence with hamstring issues will ease the squeeze for spots across the tall defensive posts, while Jason Castagna will miss round 1 but Judson Clarke, Noah Cumberland and Maurice Rioli will push for the last small forward spots.
Meanwhile Ivan Soldo has had a strong pre-season but finished the season behind Toby Nankervis and Ben Miller so that battle will play out in the next month.
-Jon Ralph