Richmond Dynasty: Team of the Era (2017-2020)

Let’s be honest, every fan has done it. You’re sitting with mates, debating the greatest Tiger of the modern era, and the question comes up: "If you had to pick one ultimate team from the dynasty era, who makes the cut?" It’s a glorious, impossible, and utterly necessary debate.

This isn't about picking the 22 best individuals. It’s about building the perfect, balanced, premiership-winning machine that embodies what that golden era was all about: relentless pressure, selflessness, and moments of pure, match-winning brilliance. Think of it as your ultimate tribute to the Yellow and Black reign.

This guide will walk you through constructing your definitive Richmond Team of the Era. We’ll go beyond the obvious superstars to find the perfect role players, the unsung heroes, and build a side that could, in theory, win any of those three flags all over again. Ready to play coach? Let’s get started.

What You'll Need

Before we dive into selection, let's get our tools ready. You don't need a whiteboard, but it helps to have a few things in mind:

The Criteria: We're judging players on their impact and output specifically between 2017 and 2020. Career achievements before or after are nice, but the dynasty window is our focus.
The Blueprint: Remember Damien Hardwick's system. We need pressure forwards, two-way runners, intercept defenders, and contested beasts. Every player must fit the "Richmond Man" mold.
The Honours: Premierships, best-and-fairests, All-Australian selections, and Norm Smith Medals from this period are the ultimate currency.
Your Memory (or a highlights reel): Recall that tackle, that chase, that clutch goal. Sometimes the stat sheet doesn't capture a player's true value to the system.
A Willingness to Debate: There will be tough calls. There will be omissions that hurt. Embrace it. That’s half the fun.

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Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Team

Step 1: Lock in the Immovable Objects

Start with the easy part—the pillars. These are the players whose names you write in permanent marker. They defined the era.

Dustin Martin (Centre): The engine room and the X-factor. The 2017 Norm Smith was just the beginning. His ability to win the ball inside and burst forward to kick goals changed the game. He’s the first player picked.
Alex Rance (Full Back): The defensive general until his injury. He was the league's premier intercept marker and the fearless leader of the backline. The system's confidence started with him.
Trent Cotchin (Midfielder): The captain who changed the standard. His selfless shift to a defensive, tackling-focused role in 2017 set the tone for the entire club. Pure leadership.
Jack Riewoldt (Full Forward): The star forward who evolved into the ultimate team player. His work up the ground, his pressure, and his unerring accuracy in big moments were priceless.
Tom Lynch (Forward): While he arrived in 2019, his impact was immediate and dynasty-defining. He provided the structural key that made the forward line unstoppable, drawing defenders and clunking big marks in Grand Finals.

Pro Tip: Don't overthink this step. If there’s a Norm Smith Medal or a best-and-fairest from this period next to their name, they’re likely in this category.

Step 2: Build the Defensive System

The Richmond dynasty was built on a defensive wall. We need the perfect mix of interceptors, lockdown defenders, and daring rebounders.

Dylan Grimes (Back Pocket): The ultimate lockdown defender. Could nullify any small or medium forward and his partnership with Rance was poetry in defensive motion.
Nick Vlastuin (Half Back): The intercept king. His reading of the play and courage to fly across packs was a signature of the era. A cool head in any storm.
Bachar Houli (Half Back): The silky-smooth rebounder. His run and carry from defence, combined with his lethal left-foot kick, were essential for transitioning from defence to attack. His 2019 Grand Final was a masterpiece.
David Astbury (Back Pocket): The reliable, understated key defender. He allowed Rance and Vlastuin to play with freedom by taking the opposition's second or third tall. A system player personified.

Common Mistake: Loading up on too many of the same type of defender. You need a balance of Grimes' grit, Vlastuin's intercepting, and Houli's run. Don't just pick your favourites—pick the unit.

Step 3: Construct the Midfield & Engine Room

This is where games are won. We need a blend of inside grunt, outside speed, and two-way running that embodies the famous "pressure gauge."

Dion Prestia (Midfielder): "The Meatball" was the consistent, hard-nosed inside midfielder they craved. His clearance work and ability to win the hard ball were fundamental, especially in finals.
Shane Edwards (Midfielder/Wing): The creative genius. His vision, handballing in traffic, and ability to make time stand still were unique. A crucial link in the chain.
Kane Lambert (Wing/Half Forward): The ultimate two-way runner. His work rate was phenomenal, covering more ground than almost anyone to support both defence and attack. The prototype Richmond role player.
Toby Nankervis (Ruck): He brought the aggression and presence they needed. More than just hit-outs, his follow-up work at ground level and physical intimidation set a standard. For a deeper dive on his role, check out our analysis of Toby Nankervis' ruck influence.
Ivan Soldo (Ruck/Forward): The perfect deputy. Formed a formidable tandem with Nankervis, providing a contest and allowing the midfielders to thrive.

Step 4: Assemble the Forward Pressure Web

The forward line wasn't just for scoring; it was the first line of defence. We need relentless pressure and chaos.

Jason Castagna (Forward Pocket): The chaos agent. His pressure was off the charts, and while his finishing could be erratic, his role in creating turnovers inside 50 was non-negotiable.
Daniel Rioli (Forward Pocket): The electric finisher. His speed, goal sense, and knack for the spectacular (remember the 2017 Grand Final snap?) made him a constant threat. His pressure was also elite.
Tom Lynch (already locked) & Jack Riewoldt (already locked): The twin towers. Their combined ability to contest, mark, and bring the smalls into the game was the dynasty's offensive blueprint.

Pro Tip: When selecting small forwards, prioritize pressure acts and tackles inside 50 over pure goal tally. Goals are a bonus, but creating turnovers was their primary job.

Step 5: Fill the Bench & Finalise the 22

The last four spots are for the specialists, the versatile warriors, and those who provided something unique.

Kamdyn McIntosh (Wing/Bench): The gut-running winger. His ability to cover the ground and provide an outlet on the wing was crucial to their structure.
Nathan Broad (Utility/Bench): The versatile defender. Could play tall or small, was incredibly reliable, and had a knack for rising to the occasion in big games.
Jayden Short (Back/Bench): The long-range weapon. Took over Houli's rebounding role with his booming right foot, often kickstarting attacks from deep in defence.
Marlion Pickett (Utility/Bench): The fairytale story. Debuted in the 2019 Grand Final and looked like he'd played 200 games. His poise, skill, and versatility make him the perfect bench asset.

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Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Just Pick Names, Pick Roles: A team of 22 Dusty Martins doesn't win a premiership. The role players like Lambert, Castagna, and Grimes were just as vital to the system.
Balance is Everything: Ensure your backline has a mix of lockdown and intercept, your midfield has grunt and class, and your forward line has aerial power and ground-level chaos.
Consider the Big Stage: Weight performances in finals, especially at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, more heavily. This team was built for September.
The "What If" Trap: It's tempting to include a player for a single great year, but consistency across the period is key. The core of this team played in all three flags.
* Remember the Evolution: The 2017 team was different from the 2020 team. Your selection should reflect the peak version of the dynasty, which arguably integrated Tom Lynch's arrival perfectly.

For a broader look at how this all came together, explore the full story on our Dynasty Era History page.

Your Ultimate Richmond Dynasty Team Checklist

Use this bullet list as your final review. Have you accounted for it all?

• The Pillars: Martin, Rance, Cotchin, Riewoldt, and T. Lynch are locked in.


• Defensive System: A mix of intercept (Vlastuin), lockdown (Grimes), rebound (Houli), and a key anchor (Astbury).


• Midfield Balance: Inside bull (Prestia), creative genius (Edwards), two-way runner (Lambert), and aggressive ruckwork (Nankervis/Soldo).


• Forward Pressure: At least two specialist pressure smalls (Castagna, D. Rioli) supporting the key forwards.


• Bench Versatility: A runner (McIntosh), a flexible defender (Broad), a specialist (Short), and an X-factor (Pickett).


• System Fit: Every player exemplifies the relentless pressure and selflessness of Hardwick's game plan.


• Big Game Pedigree: The team is loaded with proven Grand Final performers.


• Final Count: 6 defenders, 8 midfielders/rucks, 6 forwards (including the bench roles).

Once you've ticked all those boxes, you've got it. Your definitive, balanced, and utterly formidable Richmond Dynasty Team of the Era. Now, the real fun begins: defending your selections against every other fan at the pub. After all, debating this stuff is what keeps the spirit of that prestige alive long after the final siren.

Want to see how this theoretical team stacks up against the actual finals records? Compare your picks with the hard data on our Dynasty Era Finals Record & Statistics hub.