How Richmond Football Club Can Rebuild Its Winning Strategy for Next Season

Looking back at Richmond Football Club’s recent performances, I can’t help but feel there’s a blueprint for revival hidden in the numbers—even if those stats come from another sport entirely. I’ve spent years analyzing team strategies across codes, and one basketball matchup I revisited recently—where the Road Warriors edged past the Beermen—struck me as surprisingly relevant. In that game, the Warriors outscored their rivals from the perimeter 46–32 and dominated fast breaks 11–4. Those numbers effectively canceled out San Miguel’s overwhelming 54–38 advantage in the paint and 38–23 edge in bench contributions. It got me thinking: what if Richmond adopted a similar outside-in, pace-focused philosophy next season? It’s not just about copying another sport’s playbook, but about rethinking how we leverage our strengths while minimizing weaknesses.

Let’s face it—Richmond’s recent seasons have been underwhelming, and as a longtime observer, I believe part of the problem lies in over-reliance on contested inside plays and predictable setups. We’ve often tried to overpower opponents in close quarters, much like San Miguel did in that basketball game, but modern football demands more dynamism. Perimeter scoring in basketball translates loosely to effective outside plays and creative ball movement in AFL—something the Tigers have underutilized. If we could boost our scoring from outside the 50-meter arc and improve our transition game, we’d stretch defenses thin and open up space for our key forwards. The Road Warriors proved you don’t need to dominate every category; you just need to dominate the right ones. For Richmond, that means prioritizing outside efficiency and rapid ball movement over brute force near goal.

Now, I’ll be honest—I’m a bit biased toward fast, free-flowing football. Watching the Tigers grind through slow, congested plays last season was frustrating. But the data backs up my preference. Let’s imagine Richmond increased its outside scoring by, say, 25% and fast-break opportunities by even just 15% next season. That could translate to an extra 25–30 points per game, which in tight matches makes all the difference. We already have players capable of delivering that—Shai Bolton’s explosiveness and Daniel Rioli’s precision kicking come to mind—but the system hasn’t encouraged it enough. In my view, the coaching staff should take a leaf from that Road Warriors game: focus on speed, spacing, and outside execution, even if it means sacrificing some inside dominance.

Of course, skeptics will argue that you can’t ignore the contest in close, and they’re not entirely wrong. But here’s the thing—Richmond doesn’t need to abandon its strengths entirely. Instead, the club should rebalance its approach. Think about it: if we improve our outside and transition scoring, opponents can’t just crowd the corridor or pack the defensive 50. That, in turn, creates more one-on-ones for Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt near goal. It’s a symbiotic strategy, not an either-or proposition. I’d even suggest dedicating 60–70% of preseason training to outside ball use and fast transitions. That might sound extreme, but desperate times call for fresh thinking.

Another area where Richmond can learn from that basketball example is bench contribution. San Miguel’s bench outscored their opponents 38–23, yet they still lost. Why? Because the Warriors optimized their starters’ impact in high-value areas. For Richmond, this means ensuring our best players are deployed where they can influence the game most—not just accumulating disposals, but converting them into scores. Too often, I’ve seen our midfield win clearances but waste entries inside 50. If we can sharpen our delivery and encourage more outside shots on the run, we’ll turn those hard-won possessions into points. Personally, I’d love to see more experimentation with a run-and-carry game plan, even if it leads to a few more turnovers initially. High risk, high reward.

Let’s talk personnel, because no strategy works without the right players executing it. I’ve always believed Richmond’s list still has elite potential, but we need to be smarter with roles. For instance, playing an extra small forward with elite pressure and outside finishing—someone like Maurice Rioli Jr.—could pay dividends in a faster system. And I’d push Noah Balta to take more outside shots; his leg is a weapon we’ve underused. These tweaks, combined with a team-wide emphasis on quick ball movement, could transform our scoring profile. Remember, the Road Warriors didn’t have more talent across the board—they just used theirs more effectively in specific facets.

In closing, I’m convinced Richmond’s path back to premiership contention lies in embracing an outside-focused, up-tempo style. It won’t happen overnight, and there will be bumps along the way. But as that basketball game showed, you don’t need to win every battle to win the war. By reallocating our strategic emphasis toward perimeter efficiency and fast breaks—even if it costs us some inside dominance or bench points—we can build a more unpredictable and potent offense. I, for one, am excited by the possibility. Here’s to a smarter, swifter Richmond in the coming season.