Pre-Game Tactical Walkthrough Checklist

Success in the modern AFL is built on preparation. For the Richmond Football Club during its dynasty era, meticulous pre-game planning was the non-negotiable foundation upon which three premierships were built. This wasn't about vague motivational speeches; it was a precise, repeatable, and ruthless system of tactical alignment.

This checklist distills the core processes that defined the Tigers' pre-game ritual under Damien Hardwick. By following this structured walkthrough, you will learn to deconstruct an opponent, embed your own game plan, and ensure every player—from the captain to the youngest debutant—steps onto the ground with absolute clarity of their role. This is how you prepare to execute with the cold precision of a premiership contender.

Prerequisites / What You Need

Before beginning the tactical walkthrough, ensure you have the following elements in place. The quality of your preparation dictates the quality of your execution.

Opposition Analysis Dossier: A concise, visual report (no more than 10-15 key slides) highlighting the opponent's recent structure, key midfield setups, preferred transition patterns, and individual player tendencies. Focus on what they want to do, not just generic stats.
Your Game Plan Pillars: A crystal-clear understanding of your own non-negotiable principles. For Richmond, these were relentless pressure, territory control via the corridor, and swift transition from defensive 50 to attack. Have these pillars written down.
The Right Environment: A dedicated space free from distractions. For the Tigers, this was often the meeting rooms at Punt Road Oval or the away team briefing room, with visuals displayed clearly for all.
Leadership Group Alignment: Captains Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, along with senior leaders, must be briefed ahead of time to reinforce messages and speak with one voice during the walkthrough.
A "What If" Mindset: Anticipate scenarios. What if we're two goals down at quarter time? What if a key player like Alex Rance or Dustin Martin receives extra attention? Have contingency triggers ready.

The Step-by-Step Process

Follow these steps in sequence to build a complete tactical picture for your team.

1. Establish the "Why": The Battlefield Narrative

Begin by framing the contest. This is not about listing opponent strengths and weaknesses; it's about defining the specific battle you intend to win.

State the Stakes: Connect the game to the larger mission. In 2017, the narrative was "breaking the drought." In 2019, it was proving prestige with back-to-back flags. In 2020, it was cementing a dynasty era with a three-peat. What is this game's narrative?
Define the Central Conflict: Identify the one or two tactical clashes that will decide the game. For example: "Tonight, we win by owning the corridor and forcing them into the pockets. Their half-backs like to create, so our forwards will lock the ball in our front half."
Set the Emotional Tone: Hardwick was a master of blending tactical clarity with emotional resonance. The message was always about Richmond pressure, Richmond football, and protecting the Yellow and Black jumper.

2. Deconstruct the Opposition System

Now, move to the specifics. Use video clips to show, not just tell. Keep this segment sharp and focused.

Centre Bounce & Clearance Structure: Show how they set up. Who is their primary clearance winner? What are their follower's patterns? This is where you highlight how your setup, perhaps leveraging a role like Shane Edwards' clearance role, will counteract them.
Ball Movement Tendencies: Do they switch play slowly? Do they go long down the line? Show 2-3 clips of their most common kick-in patterns and how they move from defensive 50. This directly informs your forward pressure plan.
Key Individual Match-Ups: Identify 3-4 danger players. Go beyond their stats: "Player X always looks to step inside onto his right foot. Force him left." "Player Y is their release valve from defence; we must negate his influence."

3. Re-Affirm Your Game Plan & Roles

This is the most critical section. Shift the focus from them to us. Detail exactly how you will impose your will.

Revisit Core Pillars: Display your game plan pillars again. For Richmond, this always included:
Pressure Gauge: The minimum acceptable pressure act number.
Contested Ball: The commitment to win the ball back.
Territory: The mandate to use the corridor and play in our front half.
Unit-Specific Instructions: Break it down by line.
Forwards (led by Jack Riewoldt): Define the press. Who is the designated chaser? What is the trigger for a full-ground press versus a forward-half lock?
Midfield (led by Cotchin and Martin): Clarify clearance configurations. Who is the first line of defence post-clearance? Emphasise the "next action" after the ball is won.
Defence: Set the off-ball positioning rules. How do you want to handle a high, contested ball coming in? What are the communication calls?
Individual Role Clarity: Speak directly to key players. "Dusty, when you see us win the ball back in defence, your role is to present as the first outlet through the corridor." "Bachar Houli, your run from half-back is our ignition. Take the game on."

4. Walk Through Critical Scenarios & Set Plays

Football is chaotic. Preparation for specific moments creates order within that chaos.

Centre Bounce After a Goal: Have 2-3 set plays ready. One might be designed to isolate Dustin Martin at a forward stoppage. Another might use Dion Prestia as a bullocking extractor.
Kick-Ins (For & Against): Walk through your structure for both. Where are your leading lanes? Who is the primary target? Against, how is your press set? Who is responsible for the opposition's most dangerous kicker?
Last Two Minutes (Up or Down): Have a clear plan. If you're ahead, what is the possession game? Which players do you want with the ball? If you're behind, what is the quickest route to goal? Think of the controlled chaos of the final minutes of the 2019 premiership decider.

5. The Final Alignment & Visualisation

Bring the walkthrough to a close by unifying the message and turning planning into belief.

The Captain's Address: Trent Cotchin would often summarise the key themes, focusing on effort, trust, and the physical commitment required.
Key Visual Cues: Give players simple mental triggers. "When you hear 'Richmond', think pressure." "When you see the ball in the corridor, that's our game."
The Final Question: Hardwick's classic: "Any questions? Anything not clear?" This is the final check for understanding. Silence, or questions only about fine details, indicates the group is locked in.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

Pro Tip: Less is More. Information overload leads to paralysis. The Tigers' game plan was famously simple but deeply ingrained. Focus on 3-4 non-negotiable actions, not 20 complicated instructions.
Pro Tip: Use Your Leaders. Hardwick empowered Cotchin, Riewoldt, and Rance to be on-field coaches. They reinforced the messages daily at Punt Road and in-game. Your leaders must own the plan.
Common Mistake: Focusing Only on the Opposition. Spending 80% of the time talking about the other team puts them at the centre of your mindset. Flip it. Spend 70% of the time on your system and how you will dictate terms.
Common Mistake: Ignoring the "Feel." The walkthrough before the 2017 AFL Grand Final had a different emotional charge to the one before the 2020 premiership in Brisbane. Acknowledge the moment. Are you hunters or champions defending your crown? Adjust the narrative accordingly.
Pro Tip: The Walkthrough Never Stops. The final walkthrough is simply the last repetition. These principles should be drilled every day at training, in the gym, and in video sessions. The meeting is just the formal confirmation.

Checklist Summary

Use this bullet list as your final pre-meeting confirmation to ensure no step is missed.

• Prerequisites Gathered: Opposition dossier, game plan pillars, environment, and leadership alignment confirmed.


• Step 1: Narrative Set: The "why" and central tactical conflict for the game are clearly defined and communicated.


• Step 2: Opposition Deconstructed: Key clearance structures, ball movement patterns, and individual match-ups have been shown via video.


• Step 3: Game Plan Re-Affirmed: Core pillars (pressure, contest, territory) and unit-specific roles (forwards, midfield, defence) are clarified.


• Step 4: Scenarios Walked Through: Set plays for centre bounces, kick-in strategies (for/against), and end-game scenarios are established.


• Step 5: Final Alignment: Captain's summary delivered, key visual cues reinforced, and final check for understanding completed.


• Pro Tip Check: Message is simple and focused on our* game. Leaders are empowered. The emotional tone matches the occasion.

This checklist is the blueprint for the mindset that transformed the Richmond Football Club. It is a process that turns strategy into habit, and habit into history. Now, go execute.