Richmond’s “gumboot brigade” midfield has come under fire in a call for the Tigers to shake up their on-ball mix.

The likes of Tim Taranto (48 centre bounce attendances), Jacob Hoppper (40), Jack Ross (35) and Sam Lalor (25) have taken up the majority of the midfield minutes in Adem Yze’s side.

But North Melbourne legend David King urged the 0-2 Tigers to inject more pace through the midfield to give it a more dynamic look.

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“The gumboot brigade. I’m been watching the Richmond centre bounce crew and I reckon they may as well be wearing gumboots,” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack: Preview.

“They are a slow midfield, they need to make some change.

“I know there’s a lot of injuries to the next wave of Richmond talent coming through, but they have options now to have a look at this midfield that doesn’t start every time with Taranto, Hopper and Ross.

“I know Lalor goes in thee but he’s not express either.”

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The numbers show the Tigers aren’t getting enough bang for buck with their current midfield mix.

Richmond has won 26 centre bounces but only scored one goal and one behind, which is ranked 18th in the AFL.

“That number there is damning for me,” King said.

“They get their hands on the ball and they’re good enough to win the ball.

“They’re -25 points (in scoring differential from stoppage differential) across the season, which is ranked 18th.

“This is an obvious weakness and I just think they can’t get themselves into space.

So who else can Yze throw into the engine room?

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“Why wouldn’t you have a look at Seth Campbell? He’s only been in 20 times across his 45 games,” King continued.

“Why wouldn’t you look at Maurice Rioli? He runs down everyone at the ‘G. Only been in six times in the back-end of last year, give him a chance. He’s a better player right now than what he was in the back-end of last year and he’s invested and involved in the game.

“The last time Jayden Short was in there was Round 11, 2023.”

A series of clips from Richmond’s loss to Gold Coast showed the Tigers’ inability to find space or inflict damage from stoppage after winning the ball inside the contest.

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King pointed to the success of St Kilda moving Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera into the midfield as an example of the benefit of experimenting with your list.

“(Richmond) need to get some speed,” King said.

“It’s time to explore. Have a look at some of these guys.

“I reckon St Kilda waited six months too long to have a look at Nasiah in the middle, we banged on about it every week.

“Have a look at Seth Campbell, who knows, I don’t know what he ceiling is for this guy. Or Maurice Rioli, just because we’ve pigeonholed him as a small forward.

“Right now it’s failing you and you’re staying with the same names. It’s time to have a crack, have a look at something different.”

St Kilda great Leigh Montagna agreed, saying Richmond should be thinking “bigger picture” in a year the rebuilding club is not expected to be competing for finals.

“We understand Taranto and Hopper have been great players, but where is that going to take them in the next three or four years when they want to be climbing up the ladder?,” he said on Wednesday night’s program.

“Explore the ceiling, if you get it wrong, there’s no harm done, they’re probably not playing finals this year. Have a look, there’s options there.

“Even young Sam Grlj, get him in there a bit. Expose him to a couple and see what he can do.”