Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Adem Yze enters the final five rounds of the 2026 AFL season under growing examination after the Richmond Tigers suffered a 70-point loss to the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. The result left the Richmond Tigers with two wins from 18 matches and renewed debate about the team’s game plan, defensive effort and player development.
The third-year coach is contracted through 2028 and continues to receive public support from Richmond Tigers leaders John O’Rourke and Shane Dunne. Injuries and a deliberate list rebuild provide context, but Adem Yze’s overall record of 10 wins and 55 losses is the worst recorded by an AFL coach through 65 games.
The coaching discussion follows another expansion story covered in Ken Hinkley Shuts Down Tasmania Devils Staff Question.
Hawthorn Hawks loss exposes work-rate problem
The official AFL match report records an 18.14 (122) to 6.16 (52) victory for the Hawthorn Hawks. Nick Watson and Mitch Lewis kicked five goals each as the Richmond Tigers offered little resistance to movement from the Hawthorn Hawks’ defensive half.
The Richmond Tigers lost the uncontested possession count by 101, their fifth-worst result in that measure across the past five years.
“No intent (on Sunday) from Richmond,” Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson said.
“It was a big opportunity against a club that’s going to fight for a grand final potentially in 2026, and they just let each other down in the way they went about it in regard to their complete work rate.”
The Richmond Tigers’ pressure rating was 163 against the Hawthorn Hawks, well below the AFL average of 180. Their previous four ratings were 169 against the Melbourne Demons, 178 against the Carlton Blues, 150 against the Collingwood Magpies and 152 against the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Those numbers point to a repeated problem rather than one poor afternoon. The Richmond Tigers have ranked last in the AFL for pressure rating in each of Adem Yze’s three seasons, raising questions about both defensive instructions and player commitment without the ball.
Defensive system remains too easy to break
The Richmond Tigers often defend space and allow opponents to use short kicks while moving out of defence. The aim is to protect the ground with an organised zone, but the Hawthorn Hawks repeatedly found uncontested options before moving the ball into attack.
The Richmond Tigers rank 15th for defending opposition ball movement but allow scores from 52 per cent of defensive entries, equal last with the Essendon Bombers. They also sit last for points conceded from turnovers, with errors in the back half creating repeat entries before the defence can reset.
Poor pressure at the source makes life harder for defenders because opposition kicks arrive with less disruption. Turnovers near the defensive arc then leave the Richmond Tigers chasing rather than controlling the next phase.
Clearance gains offer one positive sign
The strongest part of the Richmond Tigers’ recent form has come at stoppages. Adem Yze wants a territory-based team that wins the contest, retains the ball in the forward half and defends from an advanced position.
The Richmond Tigers have won the clearance count in four consecutive matches for the first time since 2015. They finished +6 against the Hawthorn Hawks, +6 against the Melbourne Demons, +12 against the Carlton Blues and +1 against the Collingwood Magpies.
Winning clearances has not produced enough scoring, however, with the Richmond Tigers ranked 16th for points from stoppages. They are also last for points generated from turnovers, the scoring source that drives much of the AFL’s attacking output.
Player development comes under examination
Adem Yze has worked through a severe injury run, particularly among the highly rated 2024 draft class. Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie, Taj Hotton, Jonty Faull, Luke Trainor, Harry Armstrong, Tom Sims and Jasper Alger have all missed time during 2026.
Most of those injuries were medium-term setbacks, slowing the progress of players who need senior matches. Sam Lalor is now tracking towards his 50th AFL appearance in his fifth season rather than his third, delaying a milestone clubs often use when measuring young-player development.
The development concern extends to the Richmond Tigers’ 2021 draft group. Josh Gibcus, Tom Brown, Tyler Sonsie, Sam Banks and Judson Clarke were all selected inside the top 30, yet injuries and inconsistent form have restricted their collective return.
Judson Clarke suffered three anterior cruciate ligament ruptures before turning 22, while Josh Gibcus sustained another season-ending knee injury in the Victorian Football League. Those setbacks are outside Adem Yze’s control, but the wider group still needs to produce more dependable senior players.
Former Richmond Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt identified Seth Campbell, Jack Ross and Ben Miller as the clearest development successes.
“I think there are maybe three players who have developed - Seth Campbell has become a really good player under Yze, Jack Ross has spent more time in the middle … and the other one is Ben Miller, who’s certainly turned himself into a very handy defender.”
Richmond Tigers still backing Adem Yze
Jack Riewoldt said senior figures at the Richmond Tigers expect Adem Yze to remain in charge despite recent discussion about his position.
“Speaking to Richmond people (on Monday), high up Richmond people … Adem Yze will be coaching Richmond at Round 1 next year,” Jack Riewoldt said.
A Round 21 meeting with the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground shapes as an important comparison. Andrew McQualter was considered for the Richmond Tigers position before Adem Yze was appointed, making a defeat to the West Coast Eagles certain to increase external pressure.
Adem Yze should not carry responsibility for every injury or list decision, but the team’s defensive decline requires answers. Better pressure, safer movement from defence and clearer progress from players drafted before 2024 must become visible before the next stage of the rebuild.