HeraldSun & Age Footy Supplements 2007

[Mopsy]

Would you kind people please keep an eye out for when these will be published and reply to this post.
Living up here in Coffs Harbour I have to order Interstate papers to obtain a copy.
Thanking you in anticipation
Mopsy

[one-eyed]

Will do Mopsy 

Mike and Rohan will probably have us 9th again 

[Fishfinger]

There I was thinking you can get everything at the Big Banana.

[Mopsy]

Perhaps there will not be any this year!
They were out three or four weeks before the start of the season last year

[mightytiges]

Perhaps there will not be any this year!
They were out three or four weeks before the start of the season last year

Herald-Sun supplement is in today's paper Mopsy  . Has Ryan Griffen on the cover. The Age one I think is out tomorrow.

They said get on Rainesy for the B&F. About the only positive thing said about us off the top of my head. They classed our young guys Lids, Tambo, Raines, Polo, etc as the X-factor but overall didn't rate us at all.

[one-eyed]

Only Mark Stevens and Jon Pierik tipped us to finished 8th out of the 20 Herald-Sun journos. No one tipped us for the spoon.

RICHMOND PREVIEW – Herald-Sun footy supplement 2007

HOW HIGH SHOULD THEY BE AIMING?

BY MARK STEVENS

Nathan Brown and Kane Johnson have already publicly stated the sole focus has to be finals, and they're right. After two years of promise and steady steps forward, the Tigers now look to have the ammunition to finally take the leap back into the lower reaches
of the top eight. For one, Brown should be back to his best after a full pre-season. That is a huge plus. Former Docker Graham Polak, if he can extract anywhere near the best out of himself, will significantly improve the Tigers' defence - and give them another forward option. But it is the developing youngsters at Punt Rd - the likes of Andrew Raines, Brett Deledio, Dean Polo, Richard Tambling and Danny Meyer - who are capable of making a difference.

IS KENT KINGSLEY WORTH A PUNT?

Definitely. Terry Wallace is a firm believer that you are never solely in rebuilding mode. The theory is simple: Get time into the kids, but try to win as many games as possible. Kingsley's experience may be the difference in a game or two and get the Tigers into the eight. As wobbly as his kicking is, the former Cat is good on a lead and with Matthew Richardson and Brown copping the best defenders, he may be able to get off the leash. Patrick Bowden was similarly maligned by Bulldogs fans and Wallace turned him around.

WHAT ABOUT DOWN BACK?

This is the most serious question facing the Tigers after the brave decision to flick solid foot soldier Andy Kellaway. The key positions are still a concern. As good as Joel Bowden was last year, he shouldn't be asked to play on giants. Much depends on Darren Gaspar and whether he can come up for a full, consistent season. He is still capable of being an A-grade full-back. Then there is the unfulfilled talent Polak. He's going to get key jobs, too. The Tigers will be praying he steps up. For a man of his talents, it was ridiculous he got stuck in the WAFL. Will Thursfield shows potential and will be back after a knee reconstruction. Ray Hall is also a back-up. But the Tigers are light on for depth - injuries to the wrong players could prove fatal.

WHAT NEEDS FIXING?

The Tigers lost three games by 100-plus points last season and threw in an 88 point shocker to finish the season. Teams that are thumped by that much don't make finals. It is a sign of serious flaws. One of Wallace's aims will be to end the blowouts - and, with added maturity, consistency should follow. The Tigers showed they could stick to a game plan by famously sinking the Crows last year by playing keepings-off.

IS TROY SIMMONDS' ANKLE INJURY A WORRY?

Yes. He was so important in the No.l ruck role last year - and the coach was happy to talk him up for All-Australian selection. Missing the NAB Cup and six weeks of training so close to the season has to hurt. Don't expect him to be at his peak in the opening four rounds. That would be a tough ask. And the Tigers may miss his drive.

WAS ANDREW RAINES A FLASH IN THE PAN?

No way. He was very, very stiff not to win the AFL Rising Star last year; he and winner Danyle Pearce could yet go down as the best one-two in the award's history. Raines showed his maturity in Ireland and while some are talking about a shift to the midfield expect him to stay at half-back - not only can he shut opponents down but he has the poise and dash to kill you on the rebound. Get on
him now for the B&F.   

ONE TO WATCH

Cleve Hughes – Strong lead, strong mark. Had a taste last year and has the size to match the big boys. The summer talk was all about draftee Jack Riewoldt, but don’t forget Cleve.

COMING UP

R3 Apr 13 Collingwood MCG (N) – SMASH THE PIES
R6 May 6 Geelong TD – KENT’S REDEMPTION
R9 May 26 Essendon MCG (N) – DREAMTIME AT THE ’G
R22 Sept 1 St Kilda MCG – FINALS OR BUST


SHEAHAN says...
   
DEPTH IS THE PROBLEM. THE LOSS OF COUGHLAN IS A SAVAGE BLOW BUT BROWN AND NEWMAN ARE FIT AGAIN.  POLAK AND KINGSLEY LOOK TO BE SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS, BUT THERE ARE QUERIES ON BOTH. THE  PROGRESS OF DELEDIO. RAINES, TAMBLING, POLO AND CO IS THE X-FACTOR.   

[Mopsy]

Thanks MT- I got them both thumbsup

At the plaza - not the big banana Fishfinger

[one-eyed]

Here's the Richmond preview from the Age for those who missed it......

Robert Walls - 12th

The Tigers are a year away from being a finals force: Nathan Brown needs to settle after his horrific 2005 leg injury; they need to find a couple of 20-plus goalkickers to help "Richo"; Andrew Raines, Dean Polo and Richard Tambling need another season under their belt, and Graham Polak needs a year to acclimatise.

Rohan Connolly - 11th

The Tiger hordes will be expecting a finals berth but there are still plenty of ifs - from the capacity of Richard Tambling to match the output of young teammates Andrew Raines and Dean Polo, to whether senior recruits Graham Polak and Kent Kingsley are the answers to key defensive and forward posts.

Michael Gleeson - 13th
Samantha Lane - 12th
Jake Niall - 13th
Stephen Rielly - 13th
Grant Thomas - 16th
Caroline Wilson - 12th

[one-eyed]

1. Newy - Expected to be right for round one after breaking leg last year. Highly rated but don't expect much after the injury

2. Gas - Veteran ful-back battled injuries and form. Contracted until the end of the season and will again boost the team's defence.

3. Lids - Former Rising Star winner and No. 1 draft pick and only getting better. Has genuine class and shapes as a future leader.

4. Raines - Stunning coming-of-age year. After seven games in two years, he played every game and was one of the Tigers' best in 2006.

5. Simmo - Fractured ankle pre-season will leave him underdone. Crucial he returns for Tigers to have any hope.

6. Polak - The 2001 No. 4 draft pick didn't live up to that billing at Fremantle. Earmarked for centre half-back with huge potential.

7. Browny - Patchy year recovering from broken leg in 2005. Indications are that this season he should be back to normal.

8. Riewoldt - Club's first pick (No. 13 overall) in last year's draft. Cousin of St Kilda's Nick, has potential to be key forward or back.

10. Edwards - Young wing/midfield/half-forward with excellent endurance. Has good balance and poise, but needs time to develop physically.

11. Joel - Outstanding 2006 and All-Australian defender. Polak's arrival could mean he's released from playing a key defensive role.

12. Richo - Champion veteran forward. With Nathan Brown, Kayne Pettifer and Kent Kingsley will be hard to contain.

13. Knobel - Ruckman who struggled with injury and form. With Greg Stafford retiring and Troy Simmonds injured, gets his big chance.

14. Polo - Best on ground on debut last season and partly filled the void left by injured Mark Coughlan, who's in trouble again.

15. Petts - Took a long time to mature but genuinely arrived as a senior player last year. Became reliable goalkicking small forward.

16. Paddy - Impressive first year playing across half-back, often loose. Reads play well, but still question marks on him.

17. Sugar - The captain was used predominantly as a tagger last year and was rewarded with his best year and the Jack Dyer medal.

18. Kingsley - Undersized for full-forward and will benefit from not being the key target. Will play a support role to Matthew Richardson.

20. Hall - Serviceable defender who will be pushed further to the fringe as a back-up to younger types.

21. Tuck - Hard running big midfield bull. Last season not as strong as the previous, but became a regular senior midfielder.

[one-eyed]

22. Meyer - Neat half-forward. Not a high possession winner but uses ball well. Pressure for places at half-forward means he must develop.

23. Jackson - Good sized running half-back. Will need to work hard not to be swamped by influx of younger running players.

24. Cogs - Year was gone before it began with another knee reconstruction. Magnificent talent who will be missed.

25. Hurt a shoulder and missed six matches last season. Another key position player under pressure with Polak's arrival.

26. Patto - Good sized developing forward-ruck in the Brendon Gale mould. More a forward than ruck. Not flashy, good endurance.

27. Krak - Best preseason for training but off-field trouble landed him in court in Perth. Needs to push into the midfield to survive.

28. Petersen - Lightly framed player from the Kimberley. Has pace, spring and beautiful hands. Plays much taller than his height.

29. JON - Has barely trained preseason due to shin stress fractures and unlikely to play before mid-season.

30. Tambo - Big expectations that this will be the year the 2004 No.4 draft pick emerges. Tremendous potential, lightly framed.

31. Hyde - Missed most of the preseason with osteitis pubis. Followed up skull-fracture in 2005 by played every game in 2006.

32. Tivs - Maligned wingman/midfielder. Raking left foot can be inconsistent. Work rate highly rated by coaches.

33. Harts - Talented and likely to be tried at half-forward. Offensively strong and uses the ball well, but can lack accountability.

34. Hughes - Key position forward learning defensive skills. Starting to fill out, but only a second-year player. A good prospect.

35. White - Outstanding pace and endurance could see him go from back pocket - where he got a handful of games - to half-forward.

36. Thursty - Suffered a knee injury in round two and missed the season. The former rookie could develop into a long-term full-back.

37. Cass - Yet to make his debut after missing most of last year with osteitis pubis. Running half-back with excellent skills.

38. McGuane - Nephew of Collingwood champion Mick McGuane, but lacks the skill level of huis uncle. Key position prospect at either end.

39. Connors - Fourth round draft pick and an All-Australian under-18. Half-forward/midfielder and a left footer.

40. Moore - Another whose chances of getting a senior game got harder with the arrival of Polak.

41. Foley - Huge rap for him at Punt Road. Extremely quick with elite endurance. Former rookie will be the next key midfielder.

42. Collins - Fifth round pick at last year's draft. Slightly built half-forward is the nephew of Peter Francis and reads the play well.

43. Howat - Elevated at end of last year and played well in five games. Likely replacement on senior list for Mark Coughlan. Elite endurance runner.

44. Graham - Ruckman from King Island who spent last year in Coburg reserves. Would expect to be first ruck for Coburg seniors this year. Long term prospect.

45. Clingan - Very quick slightly built half-back flanker. High possession earner and reasonably strong overhead. Skills questionable.

46. King - Tough hard at it back-pocket who played under Andy Collins at VFL affiliate Coburg and won the best and fairest.

[mightytiges]

Grant Thomas - 16th

 

He's hated us since his "we're the better team" line. Not that we did anything to change his low opinion of us while he was coach of the Saints  .