Richmond didn't just go deep into a few seasons in a row, they went right to October in 2020. 2020 had an impact on everyone. At the highest level sport is close, it doesn't take much to slip a few, or more than a few, places. Physically I reckon we were down last year but mentally they went through the huge effort of winning the flag in a very taxing season, there are costs to doing this.
The break will do them good and hopefully some reflection on the way the game has changed. The game always changes, the teams who don't win the flag are always looking to improve and reach the top. The game develops and staying competitive means improving, even if you won it the previous year. Add to this the rule changes, the constant changing of interpretations, and there will always be work to do on strategies.
I reckon we will at least make the 8 this year, the trick will be to make top 4, and that means forcing another team out. Plenty of decent teams around. Melbourne obviously, Footscray with improved defence (they will be working on this), Brisbane, Port, Geelong, etc - we have to displace someone to get back up to the top 4 and there are plenty of other teams trying to do the same. It is never easy but we have the players and we have some exciting youngsters who have had their development interrupted. The pieces are there, we're a shot at top 4 but it's never easy.
DS