GEELONG swept to the 2007 AFL premiership with a side many judged to be the finest in years. It seemed the classic embodiment of the idea that clubs develop their lists over a number of years for a tilt at a flag or three, before beginning to rebuild.

So, as we approach round one, how far is your club from a realistic tilt at the premiership?

Taking Geelong’s 2007 list as the benchmark, we’ll look at each team’s list while considering four key factors:

* Age
* Experience
* Height
* Key positions

Of course, we know other, less tangible factors influence a side’s succesor failure, such as injuries, suspensions, team stability, perhaps team spirit, and certainly the small matter of skill. But few of these can be reasonably assessed at the beginning of a year. What can be assessed, we’ll take a look at.

RICHMOND

BEST 25
B: Andrew Raines, Will Thursfield, Luke McGuane
HB: Joel Bowden, Graham Polak, Chris Newman
C: Jordan McMahon, Kane Johnson, Richard Tambling
HF: Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Kayne Pettifer
F: Nathan Brown, Matthew Richardson, Mitch Morton
FOLL: Troy Simmonds, Shane Tuck, Nathan Foley
I/C: Mark Coughlan, Adam Pattison, Daniel Jackson, Jake King
EMG: Dean Polo, Shane Edwards, Cleve Hughes

The rest of the squad:
Travis Casserly, Andrew Collins, Daniel Connors, Trent Cotchin, David Gourdis, Angus Graham, Chris Hyde, Danny Meyer, Kelvin Moore, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Dean Putt, Alex Rance, Jay Schulz, Greg Tivendale, Matt White, Tristan Cartledge (rookie), Clayton Collard (rookie), Cameron Howat (rookie), Jarrod Silvester (rookie)

There are still several unsettled spots in Richmond's best line-up. A handful of Tigers could easily be swapped from outside the 25-man squad. The backline has a new look to it with youngsters Thursfield and McGuane set to assume greater roles in 2008. Centre half-forward could be a mix of Riewoldt, Hughes and Pattison, who will also mix duties in the ruck. The star factor still belongs to Richardson and Brown.

AGE (As at 20 March, 2008)
* 21 years and under: (22)
* 22-25: (14)
* 26-29: (5)
* 30+: (3)

Richmond has eight players aged from 26-30-plus - the same as Geelong last year - but it has greater youth than the Cats did in 2007. Half of Richmond's list is 21 years and under, whereas Geelong had 15 in that age bracket, suggesting the Tigers aren't ready in 2008.

MATCHES (As at 20 March, 2008)
* 0 matches: (7)
* 1-25: (17)
* 26-50: (4)
* 51-100: (7)
* 101-200: (6)
* 200: (3)

Of the 2008 lists, Richmond is the closest to the '07 Geelong squad in terms of overall matches. In fact, the Cats entered last season with just 13 more games. But a breakdown of Richmond's match ranges sees it trailing in 26-200-plus. More time is needed for a tilt.

HEIGHT (As at 20 March, 2008)
* 184cm and under: (15)
* 185-190cm: (14)
* 191-199cm: (13)
* 200cm+: (2)

Although Richmond's overall list is not ready in 2008, it does stacks up well against the Cats in this area. But another 200cm-plus player will be a focus long-term. At the moment Graham is on the cusp and Putt is in his first-year.

POSITIONS
* Defenders: (12)
Smalls: (3)
Mediums: (4)
Talls: (5)
* Midfielders: (18)
Smalls: (5)
Mediums: (13)
Talls: (0)
* Forwards: (10)
Smalls: (3)
Mediums: (1)
Talls: (6) 
* Rucks: (4)

Again, Richmond has reasonable numbers against last year's premiers. Its standout area is in the midfield, where it has a host of options. Although this area could prove to be a key for the club down the track, many are still too green for a genuine attack in September.

SUMMARY
After a disappointing year, the Tigers will be desperate to bounce back in 2008. Injuries certainly didn't help the yellow and black's cause last year, but its list was off the pace against the majority of others in the competition anyhow. Although potential exists and there are some promising indicators at Tigerland, there are not nearly enough to see Richmond winning the flag in 2008.

NUTSHELL
A long way off. If the Tigers can make the finals that will be a step in the right direction.