Former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes has outlined five issues that he believes are of concern for the Tigers and contributing to their slow start to 2020.
Richmond were given a reality check on Thursday night at the hands of Alastair Clarkson's Hawks, going down by 32 points.
The Tigers have come out of the blocks slow since the AFL's resumption, and Cornes is concerned with a few areas of their game that need fixing if they are to get back to their premiership form that has been seen so consistent over the last three years.
Speaking on SEN’s The Captain’s Run, Cornes outlined his five biggest concerns...
Marking contests are one of the issues Cornes sees aa a concern with the Tigers at the moment, using a contest involving Bachar Houli as an example.
“I hated Bachar Houli pulling out of that marking contest in the first quarter." Cornes said.
“He could have just stood in front of Jonno Patton and taken a reasonably easy uncontested mark. He pulled out of that.”
Cornes has a simple message for the club - stop making excuses for poor performances.
“Damien Hardwick last week on the dew of all things on the MCG.
“Let’s ask Hawthorn how they dealt with the dew. There was no issue for ‘Silk’ Shaun Burgoyne as he kept lacing out Jack Gunston. No issues there.
“I hate excuses and for a team that never leaves the MCG, they haven’t left there this year, they’ve played their last home and away 10 games if you don’t mind.”
Cornes also sited a lack of pressure from the Tigers, who's game is built on that pressure, a massive concern.
“The uncontested possession count, the lack of defensive action. 27 tackles.”
Jack Riewoldt has had a disappointing start t to the season and is another one of Cornes' concerns.
“Jack Riewoldt is a concern. He looks banged up, he looks like he can’t move. He can’t score from 35 metres out directly in front. He looks frustrated.
“His cheap shot on Sicily in the second quarter was un-Riewoldt-like.
“I think there are some concerns with the forward line as well.”
Lastly, Cornes is worried about Marlion Pickett, who hasn't quite backed up his brilliant Grand Final performance yet.
“Is Marlion Pickett a one-hit wonder?
“Disposal count since the Grand Final: 14 Round 1 against Carlton, seven last Thursday night in about 39 minutes of game time - can’t even get on the field - and 10 last night and no influence.
“He does look to be struggling to pick up the pace of the game. That is a concern.
“A lot of people thought Richmond’s improvement will come from the likes of Marlion Pickett who is going to improve. Well, he’s really struggling.”
Cornes isn't jumping off the Tigers yet, but believes the issues the club currently have are an issue.
“I’m not jumping off, Richmond fans. Don’t shoot me down. But there’s a lack of hunger which is an early concern to start the year.”