10 reasons why Richmond fans should believe in their next chapter

It's been 17 years since Richmond's last wooden spoon. This year, they found themselves at the bottom of the table with two wins to their name.

Cam Luke has give 10 reassuring reasons to Richmond fans in these tough times.

1. Hitting rock bottom before Tasmania arrives in the league

“You do not want to be a team in three or four years struggling and in need of leverage and then Tassie rolls in.

“The AFL are going to do it differently than they did with GWS and Gold Coast. So you’re better off being bad now.”

2. Draft control like no other

“I have never seen an established club be able to control a draft like Richmond can control this year.

“The good thing about this draft is it’s a good draft. Picks 12, 13, 14, 15 aren’t like last year.

“They could have six picks in the first 21 draft picks.

“I think it is the best thing for the football club when you have drafts like this when you’re sitting at the bottom. You’re better off going to the bottom and starting again.”

3. Blair Hartley is a jet

“The list boss at the Richmond Football Club is a jet.

“The football department is very good.”

4. History never repeats except in football

“The last time they won a wooden spoon was 2007. They went and got Alex Rance and Trent Cotchin. They went and got two great players.

“They went and got one in particularly incredible leadership player who built the club and Alex Rance who was an incredible defender and a multiple All-Australian player.”

5. They still play blockbuster games

“It doesn’t matter that they’re not winning games, they’re still going to open the season in front of 90,000 people at the MCG.

“They also play in front of 95,000 people at the Dreamtime.

“There are clubs that lose relevancy, but Richmond is not one of those clubs. They are a blockbuster-drawing club. They get to go to the MCG regardless of if they’re winning or not."

6. Josh Gibcus is back

“This is big. He did his ACL in Round 1 last year.

“When he debuted in 2022, he played pretty much every game that year and played in a final.

“He is a very good young footballer. He has the ability to play at both ends.

7. Injuries can only get better

“They can’t have the injuries they had this year. The injury gods are not going to frown that badly on Richmond in 2025.

“They have also had some changes in that department of strength and conditioning.

“They could get Tom Lynch back, touch wood.”

8. Taranto, Balta, Hopper and Short

“They are all at an age to still play really good football to help these young six draft picks come through.

“Taranto’s only 27, Balta’s only 25, Short is 29, Hopper is also 27. Players play their best football towards their 30s, like we've seen with Zorko."

9. Three flags in four years

“When it’s all said and done, they have had a huge amount of success. I understand your frustration, but Adam Yze is only going to get better.

“They have hit rock bottom at the perfect time."

10. A new opportunity

“They haven’t had much draft hand in the last few years. They haven’t had first-round picks on the regular for almost a decade.

“This is the perfect time for a team to be bad and have such a draft hand like they do.

“When you have that many first rounders, you are able to be specific around what players you want.

“Wouldn’t it be great to see Richmond back up the top again?”