The introduction of a new high-performance manager is without doubt set to bring in a cluster of fresh and original ideas, and for Richmond, that is exactly what they need.

It has been well documented that the Tigers have almost hit rock bottom, seeing premiership players walk to rival clubs to secure high-end draft picks to fast-track their rebuild.

Ben Serpell, who has taken hold of the Punt Road club's performance training, joins Richmond with a long list of experience, notably working with Geelong during their premiership triumph in 2022.

Serpell's mantra revolves around the ability to run, training an aspect of football that dominates the 120 minutes of game time.

Photos from Richmond's training session on Jan 27. Credit: Richmond
Photos from Richmond's training session on Jan 27. Credit: Richmond

"You look at AFL footy and there's a lot of running in it," Serpell said on the Talking Tigers podcast.

"You might get 15-30 kicks in a game . . .ย  We'll do 15-30 kicks in a warm-up and then we'll start training kicking.

"But you run upwards of 12km in a game, and you don't spend a lot of time training how to run.

"So, that's my philosophy. Let's flip that a little bit, teach people how to run. So, because it's such a big part of the game, we're going to spend a lot of time on running and go from there.

"But at the end of the day what we're trying to do is change motor patterns and make sure they're moving effectively.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Josh Gibcus of the Tigers leaves the field on a stretcher during the 2024 AFL Round 01 match between the Carlton Blues and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 14, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"And that way, we're confident when they're running fast, they're not just overloading a certain area of their body."

"My philosophy is run well, then run well lots. So, that's the focus we've taken."

Serpell's focus could potentially help buck a horrible trend that is continually plaguing the AFL year on year.

In 2024, the injury crisis reached its peak mid-season, with a whopping tally of 150 injured footballers sitting on the sidelines in Round 10.

And it's on track to do so again as clubs battle with pre-season setbacks this summer.