One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on March 07, 2014, 03:56:11 PM
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Thomas firms for round one in Tigers' big win
Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
March 7, 2014 3:45 PM
RICHMOND 3.2 7.8 12.8 15.11 (101)
ESSENDON 1.4 3.4 7.7 8.8 (56)
GOALS
Richmond: Griffiths 2, Cotchin 2, Riewoldt 2, Edwards 2, Grigg, Ellis, Newman, Vickery, Elton, Banfield, Knights
Essendon: Daniher 2, Carlisle 2, Stanton, Gleeson, Fletcher, Chapman
BEST
Richmond: Thomas, Deledio, Houli, Rance, Grigg, McDonough
Essendon: Watson, Gleeson, Zaharakis, Stanton, Fletcher
INJURIES
Richmond: TBC
Essendon: TBC
Reports: TBC
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, O'Gorman, Hawssen
Official crowd: Approx 2,100 at Punt Road Oval
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RICHMOND rookie Matt Thomas has bolted into round one calculations after a hard-nosed midfield performance in Friday's practice match against Essendon at Punt Road Oval.
Delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of last season, Thomas played a key role in the Tigers' 45-point win over the Bombers, pushing his case for senior elevation ahead of the club's season opener against Gold Coast on March 15.
The 27-year-old finished with 26 possessions (10 contested) and 10 tackles as the Tigers ramped up their pre-season preparations with a ruthless performance, winning 15.11 (101) to 8.8 (56).
In the first match at Punt Road Oval between VFL/AFL opposition since 1964, more than 2,100 supporters packed in to see the Tigers at close to full strength.
The players they were missing were ably covered, with Shaun Hampson leading the ruck while Ivan Maric recovers from ankle surgery, and tall forward Ben Griffiths impressing with two goals.
Second-year midfielder Matt McDonough (22 possessions) also pushed strong claims for round one selection, while Chris Knights, Todd Banfield and mature-age recruit Nathan Gordon all played their first pre-season games as substitutes.
Thomas had 15 possessions and three clearances in less than a half against Collingwood in the Tigers' second NAB Challenge match and is now in pole position to earn elevation to the club's senior list.
He complemented an onball division that was superbly led by captain Trent Cotchin (13 possessions and two goals) until he was substituted at half-time.
For Essendon, who has two weeks to prepare for its round one clash against North Melbourne on March 21, captain Jobe Watson was the star.
The 2012 Brownlow medallist built form after a quiet NAB Challenge, finishing with 32 possessions (16 contested).
David Zaharakis (22) worked hard to spark the midfield but left the ground late in the fourth quarter following a heavy collision.
Second-year midfielder Martin Gleeson was also very impressive, patrolling a wing and pushing forward to finish with 16 possessions and a goal.
Key forward Jake Carlisle returned and kicked two goals but may find himself under scrutiny by the Match Review Panel after making contact to Steven Morris with his knee off the ball.
Midfielders David Myers and Jake Melksham hit the ground running in their first pre-season games.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-03-07/richmond-v-essendon-practice-match
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Article above updated:
RICHMOND rookie Matt Thomas has bolted into round one calculations after a hard-nosed midfield performance in Friday's practice match against Essendon at Punt Road Oval.
Delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of last season, Thomas played a key role in the Tigers' 45-point win over the Bombers, pushing his case for senior elevation ahead of the club's season opener against Gold Coast on March 15.
The 27-year-old finished with 26 possessions (10 contested) and 10 tackles as the Tigers ramped up their pre-season preparations with a ruthless performance, winning 15.11 (101) to 8.8 (56).
In the first match at Punt Road Oval between VFL/AFL opposition since 1964, more than 2,100 supporters packed in to see the Tigers at close to full strength.
The Bombers, meanwhile, lost their third match of the pre-season and could lose key forward Jake Carlisle to suspension in round one after he appeared to make contact to Steven Morris with his knee off the ball in the second quarter.
As well as Thomas, second-year Richmond midfielder Matt McDonough (22 possessions) pushed strong claims for round one selection, while Chris Knights, Todd Banfield and mature-age recruit Nathan Gordon all played their first pre-season games as substitutes.
Thomas had 15 possessions and three clearances in less than a half against Collingwood in the Tigers' second NAB Challenge match and he is now in pole position to earn elevation to the club's senior list.
"He's doing everything right and he's playing incredibly well at the moment," coach Damien Hardwick said.
"He's a bit like a human wrecking ball, which is good to see."
Thomas complemented an onball division that was superbly led by captain Trent Cotchin (13 possessions and two goals) until the captain was substituted at half-time as a precaution with calf soreness.
Key forward Ty Vickery was also substituted before half-time with a stiff back but Hardwick said the 23-year-old would be set to face the Suns in round one.
For Essendon, who has two weeks to prepare for its round one clash against North Melbourne on March 21, captain Jobe Watson was the star.
The 2012 Brownlow medallist built form after a quiet NAB Challenge, finishing with 32 possessions (16 contested).
Coach Mark Thompson said it showed that Richmond was ahead in its preparations for round one and the Bombers were "still in a pretty heavy training phase".
Despite a "sloppy" forward line performance, he said he was committed to playing Michael Hurley in defence at the start of the season with Carlisle partnering Joe Daniher in attack.
"I'm not giving up now, I've put my gonads on the line," he said.
"I thought Richmond played well defensively … they were beating us in physical contests.
"Next time we play we'd want a bit more movement and a bit more working together. Then the boys up the field have got to kick it to the right spots."
David Zaharakis (22 possessions) worked hard to spark the midfield but left the ground late in the fourth quarter with a corked calf following a heavy collision.
Second-year midfielder Martin Gleeson was also very impressive, patrolling a wing and pushing forward to finish with 16 possessions and a goal.
"He'd be a good chance to play [round one]," Thompson said.
"We’re really happy with his development. He doesn't look like he's physically ready, but he's quite a good player, a good decision maker, a good user of the ball.
"We like him a lot."
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RICHMOND 3.2 7.8 12.8 15.11 (101)
ESSENDON 1.4 3.4 7.7 8.8 (56)
GOALS
Richmond: Griffiths 2, Cotchin 2, Riewoldt 2, Edwards 2, Grigg, Ellis, Newman, Vickery, Elton, Banfield, Knights
Essendon: Daniher 2, Carlisle 2, Stanton, Gleeson, Fletcher, Chapman
BEST
Richmond: Thomas, Deledio, Houli, Rance, Grigg, McDonough, Astbury
Essendon: Watson, Gleeson, Zaharakis, Stanton, Fletcher
INJURIES
Richmond: Vickery (back tightness), Cotchin (calf soreness)
Essendon: Zaharakis (corked calf)
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, O'Gorman, Hawssen
Official crowd: Approx 2,100 at Punt Road Oval
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-03-07/richmond-v-essendon-practice-match
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Coach Mark Thompson said it showed that Richmond was ahead in its preparations for round one and the Bombers were "still in a pretty heavy training phase".
He means " still suffering withdrawals and side effects"
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Richmond cruises to comfortable win over Essendon at Punt Rd Oval
Herald-Sun
March 07, 2014 4:47PM
EVERY year Richmond enters a Round 1 blockbuster overhyped and overburdened with expectation.
But at Punt Road in dismantling a second arch rival in Essendon the Tigers showed they have enough tools to justify even the most optimistic fans.
Both the Bombers and Tigers will sweat on reports and injuries at a time when even the slightest niggle is a worry.
But while Essendon seemed desperately short of a run in the 45-point defeat, it was the Tigers depth players and role-players who would have thrilled coach Damien Hardwick.
Jack Riewoldt did more than enough in his first hit-out, Brett Deledio dominated his home track and Dustin Martin ran off a pesky tag to dominate the second half.
The real plus was Shaun Hampson’s hit-outs to advantage, key back David Asbury standing up on Joe Daniher, and the emerging mids in Nick Vlastuin and Brandon Ellis taking charge.
With small defender/forward Matt McDonough so good his second AFL game is a formality next week and ex-Port tagger Matt Thomas rough and tough in close, there was plenty to like.
Rookie Thomas will likely be elevated to the senior list on Tuesday after his 25 touches and 10 tackles, and be handed a Round 1 encounter against Gary Ablett.
Richmond opened up Essendon so effortlessly with end-to-end goals and precise passing that the subbing of Tyrone Vickery and Trent Cotchin with minor injuries only slightly took the gloss off the full dress rehearsal.
In successive weeks they have dominated a pair of contenders in Collingwood and now Essendon, enough to consider the Demons loss a pre-season aberration.
Bombers coach Mark Thompson used words like “patchy”and “sloppy” to describe his side yesterday, and would have been even more honest more behind closed doors.
He said the players had been belted in training for 12 straight weeks, but is aware his forward line is still a work in progress as Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle attempt to gel.
Thompson said he had his “gonads on the line” so would not alter the Hurley-back, Carlisle-forward experiment, but in truth the ball flow and lack of a star small forward is hurting too.
They haven’t won in the pre-season and conceded an astounding 26 scores from 38 forward line entries yesterday.
Jobe Watson was prolific (32 touches) but wayward by foot and David Zaharakis racked up 22 clinical touches before suffering a corked calf.
None of it was able to compensate against a Richmond side which was tougher, more composed and more prepared to charge hard forward with ball in possession.
Slightly built Martin Gleeson impressed again and should play Round 1, but too few put their hand up to press for selection.
Certainly not Leroy Jetta (five touches), Brent Stanton was his typical busy self, with the Bombers were thrashed around the stoppages.
Daniher took a screamer and got a cheapie over the back among his two goals but was only moderate, with the Tigers constantly dominating the air and mopping up on the ground despite conceding 52 inside 50s.
None of it really matters yet for Essendon, but it is hard to see how they will just flick the switch in two weeks time against North Melbourne.
History shows pre-season form counts for nothing.
But while Damien Hardwick’s only real issues are selection dilemmas ahead of Round 1, Mark Thompson knows he has plenty of work to do before the real stuff comes around.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-cruises-to-comfortable-win-over-essendon-at-punt-rd-oval/story-fndv8t7m-1226848254080
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Richmond enjoys big win in rare practice match at Punt Road home
Roger Vaughan
The Age
March 7, 2014 - 4:28PM
RICHMOND 3.2 7.8 12.8 15.11 (101)
ESSENDON 1.4 3.4 7.7 8.8 (56)
Goals:
Richmond: T Cotchin 2 B Griffiths 2 J Riewoldt 2 S Edwards 2 T Vickery C Newman B Ellis S Grigg T Banfield C Knights T Elton.
Essendon: J Daniher 2 J Carlisle 2 D Fletcher P Chapman B Stanton M Gleeson.
Best:
Richmond: M Thomas B Deledio A Rance D Astbury B Houli S Grigg M McDonough.
Essendon: J Watson D Zaharakis M Gleeson D Fletcher B Stanton.
Injuries:
Richmond: T Vickery (back soreness) T Cotchin (calf soreness).
Essendon: D Zaharakis (corked thigh).
Reports: J Carlisle (Essendon) in the second term for allegedly kneeing S Morris (Richmond).
Umpires: M Stevic S Stewart R O’Gorman L Haussen.
Crowd: Approx 2,100 at Punt Rd Oval.
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Richmond's superior pressure and ball movement propelled them to a 45-point win in an AFL practice match against Essendon.
In a rare senior game at their Punt Road home, the Tigers led at every change and won easily 15.11 (101) to 8.8 (56).
While the Tigers have to be a week ahead in their preparations for round one, Essendon will be concerned about a forward line that never fired during the match.
Bombers key forward Jake Carlile could also be in trouble for a second-term incident that involved Richmond defender Steve Morris.
Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis limped off in the last term after a collision.
Matt Thomas and Brett Deledio impressed through the midfield for the Tigers, while key defenders David Astbury and Alex Rance were very solid.
Key forward Jack Riewoldt played his first game this year and kicked two goals.
Captain Jobe Watson was Essendon's best with his usual classy effort through the midfield.
Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher and young utility Martin Gleeson also were strong for the Bombers.
Essendon led the inside 50s 17-7 at quarter-time, but Richmond was much better in attack and had a 10-point break.
The Tigers' tackling caused several Essendon turnovers in the second quarter and they had full control at halftime with a 28-point lead.
Richmond key forward Ty Vickery was subbed out at halftime.
With Ivan Maric injured, Richmond back-up ruckman Ben Griffiths continued to stake his claim for a regular senior berth.
Young Tigers defender Matt McDonough also continued his strong pre-season.
The big worry for Richmond is their reigning best-and-fairest winner Daniel Jackson, who has not played in the pre-season because of a groin or hamstring injury.
He would be their No.1 choice to play on Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett.
The Tigers start their season away against the Suns on Saturday week.
Essendon's round-one match is on Friday, March 21 against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-enjoys-big-win-in-rare-practice-match-at-punt-road-home-20140307-34c8v.html#ixzz2vGMENv9W
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Thomas really wants it!
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I see Jab Watson still only has to succesfully negotiate his way through the banner to be named in the bests.
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still dont rate him as a player but logically we need to replace tuckys big body inside and thomas fits that bill. good luck to him you can only put your best foot forward and demand they give you a go. seems hes doing this.
my only concern is they play him in front of miles. maybe both will be elevated.
good news to see astbury in the best players. we really do need to find another kpd. also good to see griffiths kick a few did he play well. maybe at last vickery will come under pressure to hold his spot.
oh and good to hear gordon played well. and knights is up and going.
well done to the hampster only question i have who did he ruck against did ryder and bellchambers play.
finally i have to ask how much do we read into this what was pressure and intensity like from both sides.
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Thought Thomas was ok without being great.
Would be suprised if he gets a game r1.
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Ryder definitely played, santa....only saw the last quarter but can't remember seeing Bellchambers...
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still dont rate him as a player but logically we need to replace tuckys big body inside and thomas fits that bill. good luck to him you can only put your best foot forward and demand they give you a go. seems hes doing this.
my only concern is they play him in front of miles. maybe both will be elevated.
good news to see astbury in the best players. we really do need to find another kpd. also good to see griffiths kick a few did he play well. maybe at last vickery will come under pressure to hold his spot.
oh and good to hear gordon played well. and knights is up and going.
well done to the hampster only question i have who did he ruck against did ryder and bellchambers play.
finally i have to ask how much do we read into this what was pressure and intensity like from both sides.
The Hampster was up against Ryder most of the time. Bellchambers is injured at the moment.
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(http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4964548-3x2-340x227.jpg)
:cheers :clapping
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Megarey >>> Brownlow
dont sook jobe
(http://www.richmondfc.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/Media/Images/316167-tlsgalleryportrait.jpg)
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Watching the replay now Dooks. Thomas has been very good in close. Might be hard to see at times. Goes in hard and has a big frame. He can play round 1 for mine. Even ahead of Miles, purely becasuse of his size. I think we need some bulk and grunt in the midfield.
Was a pleasure to see him put Barbie quickly on his ass at one stage. :thumbsup
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I reckon there is room for both Thomas and Miles in the same side. Miles is pretty clean with his disposal
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Thought he was real good
Would take him over Jackson...