The expectation for Richmond's 2025 campaign is at an all-time low, with many pundits tipping them to secure a second consecutive wooden spoon.
Following the departure of Tigers premiership heroes and the subsequent drafting of eight youngsters, the Punt Road club is well aware of the task ahead.
But looking solely at the next 12 months, what is a pass mark for the rebuilding side?
After the club's first "real" hitout of 2025, which was an 83-point loss to Collingwood at Ikon Park on Wednesday, assistant coach Sam Lonergan was buoyed by the stats and not the scoreline.
On paper, Richmond matched the flag fancies in most key statistical areas: Disposals (367-394), inside 50s (51-53), clearances (43-40), contested possession (124-129), turnovers (69-64) and total scores was closer than the margin suggests.
Lonergan alluded to the notion that these indicators are what will be assessed week-to-week for the Tigers, and not necessarily the win column.
"For us, right now is being really clear on what our key indicators are," he told RSN.
"What our big rocks are, for your group, are offence, contest, defence and pressure and we've identified three or four things that we want to measure our game on.
"And now, the ability to measure that throughout the season, whether there's wins or losses... and still go back and measure what we set out to achieve.
"Then we get to the six-month mark and can add or subtract to what those big rocks are.
"And critically grow our game over the next 12 to 24 months so that we get to the destination we want to get to."
A key part of that development is unveiling the next generations of stars at the club.
Richmond blooded 2024 draftees Harry Armstrong, Luke Trainor and Thomas Sims in Wednesday's clash, with all showing signs of their raw talent on varied minutes.
Trainor was arguably the pick of the bunch playing as a key defender, amassing 12 touches, four marks and four intercepts in 40 per cent game time.
Armstrong (49 per cent game time) and Sims (24 per cent) were less impactful in the front half, albeit the former registered two behinds and laid four tackles.
It comes as the Tigers are hopeful that prized Pick 1 Sam Lalor declares himself fit for Round 1 against Carlton as he is set to pass concussion protocols.
Fellow top 10 pick Josh Smillie is also in a race to be made available as he overcomes a hamstring issue.
Midfielder Jack Ross was busy with 24 touches and four clearances while small forwards Rhyan Mansell, Steely Green and Seth Campbell provided some spark in the front half.
