One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: torch on February 08, 2010, 01:49:26 AM
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please select two players, and not one player twice!
:)
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On current form you would have to say Polak was a definite.
The other spot? Hmmmm... No one's really put their hand up yet as far as I can tell. A rookie is really going to have to make his presence known in the NAB cup to take the second spot. If no one does then I'd say we'll only promote 1.
If something happens to Polak then I'm happy not to promote a rookie at all. No point promoting for promotions sake.
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Polak and Gilligan are the clear top 2 imo.
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I only picked Polak. Like RROFO, I don't think any of the others have shown enough yet and given Hardwick's attitude to earning a low number, I can't see them promoting anyone who hasn't earned a spot.
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With a pretty injury free side, you'd expect rookies to not be required just yet, with the exception of Polak who adds some muscle down in the forward line.
The NAB Cup is usually the indicator on who will get a call up anyway, so I'd suggest this question gets asked again in a few weeks time.
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My vote would be for Roberts based on the skills I saw him display at training. Perhaps his fitness is still an issue I'm not sure but he would certainly be worth a hard look during the NAB Cup.
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Polak & Gourdis for me.
:)
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Polak and Gilligan would be my two if the Club decides to promote two. Polly is a certainty and Gilly would be next in line given he was clearly the most impressive of the other rookies who played on Friday.
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I am thinking the same as MT. Gilligan looked ok to me also, although the day i went to training none of the first years were there (at the camp) so it is speculative from my point of view.
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Polak and Gilligan would be my two if the Club decides to promote two. Polly is a certainty and Gilly would be next in line given he was clearly the most impressive of the other rookies who played on Friday.
What about Gourdis, hard to tell if the ball didn't go near him I suppose.
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Actually further to my last post it would be hard to elevate anyone other than Polak based on the reports from Fridays game. I think we need to wait for the end of the NAB cup and practice matces to decide if anyone at all is to be elevated to be fair.
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Actually further to my last post it would be hard to elevate anyone other than Polak based on the reports from Fridays game. I think we need to wait for the end of the NAB cup and practice matces to decide if anyone at all is to be elevated to be fair.
Spot on (scary isn't it me agreeing with you ;D)
I'd promote Polak because he is a big mature body
Let the rest of them fight it out and earn the right
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Actually further to my last post it would be hard to elevate anyone other than Polak based on the reports from Fridays game. I think we need to wait for the end of the NAB cup and practice matces to decide if anyone at all is to be elevated to be fair.
Spot on (scary isn't it me agreeing with you ;D)
Very very scary.... ;)
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Bump.
Any further thoughts on our rookie promotions after last night?
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Bump.
Any further thoughts on our rookie promotions after last night?
Not yet. No-one did enough but Gourdis didn't do his chances any harm.
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For someone who cant kick I thought the Goo was good. Id promote him and he deserves a chance. Polak is not the answer. One of the rest to join Gourdis.
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Wrapped to see Gourdis handle the step up from Coburg Reserves to AFL and not look out of place, really want the guy to make it
He'd be a great matchup for the freak athlete forwards, however I still think we should give him a go up forward for us also
His kicking wouldn't be as much of an issue up forward, I didn't notice any turnovers from any of his kicks but they were a bit shakey at times.
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Gourdis would be one. Had an okay game but just disposal let him down but what's new with most at Richmond. :banghead
The other one should be filled by Contin Roberts or Gilligan.
Alas for Polak is he won't cut it should remain on as a rookie but playing at Coburg to not kill his spirit as his achievement in coming back was great but he won't add anything to the side so as best to thank him and congratulate him on his efforts and move him on. Maybe provide him with an off field role to keep his involvement in footy there who knows.
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Gourdis for mine and Polak/Roberts, but i think we will have no choce but to put Polak in. God i hope this Griffiths kid is good.
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Bump.
Any further thoughts on our rookie promotions after last night?
The Goo went forwards.
Polak went backwards.
I'd still like to see Gilligan given a chance.
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Stick Gourdis forward for the next 3 practice games. If he goes ok there, then if Polak fails, we can at least try him.
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I agree. Keep throwing Gourdis into the fire and see what he is made of. If he does get a gig, could someone, if you see Michael Christian please slap him about for him pronouncing Gourdis as Gowdis. :banghead
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Jon Ralph on SEN just said Polak will be promoted off the rookie list.
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Jon Ralph on SEN just said Polak will be promoted off the rookie list.
The winner of the Capt Obvious award for this week!! :o
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It's only one practice match but Roberts sounds like he has put his name forward big time for promotion off the rookie list. We've been looking for someone super quick to apply defensive pressure and run down opponents in our forward line to keep the ball inside forward 50. He seemed to play most of the game as well so hopefully a promising sign his fitness is improving.
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Jon Ralph on SEN just said Polak will be promoted off the rookie list.
The winner of the Capt Obvious award for this week!! :o
Yep totally agree MT and don't you think that allowed Riewoldt and Morton to play better as they (Cats) would have been focusing on Roberts as well... taking the pressure off the other two. He is a far better option than Polo in the forward line IMO. Polak will come off the Rookie list and people need to get used to that, but Roberts should really be considered too.
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I agree with you MT in regards to Roberts - he seems a ready made football for mine. He plays a solid, consistent game and is dangerous offensively and defensively. I would pick him over Gourdis at the moment.
Stripes
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Relton :cheers
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RR should play R1 v the Blooze, so he should get promoted with the Goo!
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Jon Ralph on SEN just said Polak will be promoted off the rookie list.
The winner of the Capt Obvious award for this week!! :o
Yep totally agree MT and don't you think that allowed Riewoldt and Morton to play better as they (Cats) would have been focusing on Roberts as well... taking the pressure off the other two. He is a far better option than Polo in the forward line IMO. Polak will come off the Rookie list and people need to get used to that, but Roberts should really be considered too.
Yep agree and I reckon Roberts also took the focus off Nahas as well.
Polak will probably come off the rookie list as you say WAT as that seems to be the plan but he's not a long-term option for us up forward. It's incredible he's out there playing at all but sadly AFL isn't sentimental. Polly's not holding onto enough marks and once the ball spills he's out of the play. He's really only getting a game ahead of the cubs because he's got a mature and big solid body that can cope with getting crunched while our cubs need to bulk up.
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Jon Ralph on SEN just said Polak will be promoted off the rookie list.
The winner of the Capt Obvious award for this week!! :o
Yep totally agree MT and don't you think that allowed Riewoldt and Morton to play better as they (Cats) would have been focusing on Roberts as well... taking the pressure off the other two. He is a far better option than Polo in the forward line IMO. Polak will come off the Rookie list and people need to get used to that, but Roberts should really be considered too.
Yep agree and I reckon Roberts also took the focus off Nahas as well.
Polak will probably come off the rookie list as you say WAT as that seems to be the plan but he's not a long-term option for us up forward. It's incredible he's out there playing at all but sadly AFL isn't sentimental. Polly's not holding onto enough marks and once the ball spills he's out of the play. He's really only getting a game ahead of the cubs because he's got a mature and big solid body that can cope with getting crunched while our cubs need to bulk up.
Its clear that Polak is only playing until Griffiths and Astbury undergo the Hardwick development. When theyre ready Polak will be out. Its a shame because Gourdis and Roberts are better options from the rookies and one will miss out unless we cut someone from the list.
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Jon Ralph on SEN just said Polak will be promoted off the rookie list.
The winner of the Capt Obvious award for this week!! :o
Yep totally agree MT and don't you think that allowed Riewoldt and Morton to play better as they (Cats) would have been focusing on Roberts as well... taking the pressure off the other two. He is a far better option than Polo in the forward line IMO. Polak will come off the Rookie list and people need to get used to that, but Roberts should really be considered too.
Yep agree and I reckon Roberts also took the focus off Nahas as well.
Polak will probably come off the rookie list as you say WAT as that seems to be the plan but he's not a long-term option for us up forward. It's incredible he's out there playing at all but sadly AFL isn't sentimental. Polly's not holding onto enough marks and once the ball spills he's out of the play. He's really only getting a game ahead of the cubs because he's got a mature and big solid body that can cope with getting crunched while our cubs need to bulk up.
Its clear that Polak is only playing until Griffiths and Astbury undergo the Hardwick development. When theyre ready Polak will be out. Its a shame because Gourdis and Roberts are better options from the rookies and one will miss out unless we cut someone from the list.
Gourdis is still iffy for mine. He wasn't the worst by any means last week and one-on-one contested fairly well as a key defender (he's gone ahead of Rance that's for sure who had an absolute shocker). However Goo's footskills are still a major issue going forward IMO. McGuane, Thursty and Moore are still our first choice 3 tall defenders. Until Postie, Goo, Astbury or whoever can show more both defensively and offensively rebounding complete with decent footskills and awareness it'll stay that way for the time being IMO.
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Roberts should be promoted though- itll be good to see him play against Carlton.
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Roberts should be promoted though- itll be good to see him play against Carlton.
Definitely :thumbsup
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On goo's footskills, against the hawks was the first and only time i had even seen him, and i didn't see the problems people have talked about. Just how bad are they (worse /better than say rance?) and what is the issue - technique? decision making? pressure?
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It might just be his awkward kicking action, Al. That, or maybe he had flukishly good disposal against the Hawks.
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Roberts should be promoted though- itll be good to see him play against Carlton.
Yes agree, he could be our X factor in this game IMO.
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i went with polak because its plain thats what they will do and roberts. who i believe at 23 had to be taken as a ready to go mature player as well. has to be given every opportunity at his age.
i am almost certain post will play chb for most of the yr. he will at the least be a regular tall defensive option in the team.
lets not forget people this is a time of transition those who have deficiency will only be tolerated for as long as it takes the kids to show they are ready for the rigours of afl footy. well it had damn well better be this way or this little black duck will tell em all to shove it.
i reckon most are now coming around to the idea of farmer being a regular or getting a regular go even though he has not played a senior game for us. farmer and post straight away means two positions or players from last yr wont be playing in the backline this yr.
to me post and thursfield will play in the two key posts it means one of moore or mcguane will miss. to me the smalls will be farmer tambling and possibly newman but i have a feeling he will play thru the middle. will also add it seems dea did more than enough to be given games as well the sooner the kids take over from the underachievers the better.
this is what its about, getting rid of players who clearly are not capable and have shown it to be the case over several seasons and replacing them with young players with lots to learn still but who may have the attributes to take us to finals in time. if the kids then show they lack the tools needed to succeed we turn them over until in time we find what we need.
i really hope there is plenty of constant transition going on this yr.
hmm forward. common sense says they want an experienced big bodied forward. clearly the only tall forward on the list with experience is polak. weather we like him as a player or not he is going to be it in the early part of the yr anyway.
one only has to listen to what they have been saying to know we will structure up tall in the forward line this yr.this means we will go with three talls most games.
atm i have no doubt astbury will get games early along with riewoldt and polak.
i can see two possible scenarios. 1. as astbury falls away griffiths will be bought in to replace him for a go. these two will likely rotate in and out of the team all yr. 2. both griffiths and astbury show enough to warrant dropping polak.
remember this is not about underperforming players its about transition where youngsters are to take over. i think the 1st scenario is the most likely but it would be nice to get a glimpse of the 3 younger talls showing enough to warrant a game together.
with 3 big targets you need plenty of pace and crumbing ability around them. nanas roberts would be montys. morton is established but i would like to see him heavily involved in midfield rotations giving perhaps taylor some games from the bench. the talls must be accountable to their opponents and the smalls must be capable of applying forward pressure.what the forward line does lack is a big bodied quick mongrel which has the running defenders looking over the shoulder wondering if hes coming or not. percieved pressure is a wonderful thing.
anyway the end of another longwinded spiel viva the transition and quick transition to..
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I am keen to see Roberts play from round one. In fact I think both our mature aged rookies will be promoted though I think Gourdis would have to be 3rd in line after these two now. Roberts is a ready made footballer possessing not only the skills but more importantly the experience/consistency we need. He knows how to find the goals and has the size, pace and smarts to create something out of nothing. When I watched him at training he just seems to read the play better than the others and could fire and handball out of congestion to a running player with pinpoint accuracy to break open the play.
For years we have lacked a genuine crumber (perhaps because Richo would squash them if they got in his way :o) but it seems like we are creating a plethora of them at the moment. As long as Roberts can work with the others and provide the defensive pressure needed to keep the ball in our F50 I couldn't see why you won't elevate him at the moment.
Lets hope he emulates the same game next week :pray
Stripes
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Hopefully we can put McMahon on the LTIL with a weak heart and that way we can elevate Polak, Gourdis & Roberts
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Hopefully we can put McMahon on the LTIL with a weak heart and that way we can elevate Polak, Gourdis & Roberts
For once we agree :cheers :clapping
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I thought you could only have 2 rookies promoted at any time?
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I thought you could only have 2 rookies promoted at any time?
Don't think so, as long as you have the places on the list from lack of veterans, long term injury or free spots on the list you can elevate as many as you want
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Hopefully we can put McMahon on the LTIL with a weak heart and that way we can elevate Polak, Gourdis & Roberts
Nice!
It would be a real shame if Relton or Gourdis missed this year because of a player like McMahon.
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Don't be concerned, it would be a miracle if there are not a few long term injuries this year. Its not a bad thing to have a the boys competing for a spot but some will have to wait a little longer.
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You can promote another rookie after round 11 without a player on the LTIL as well. So we could have 3 rookies running around in the second half of the season if they are deserving of promotion.
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With Polak already guaranteed his promotion off the rookie list, it looks like the second spot is down to a battle between Relts and Contin. Both still raw but one adds more defensive pressure and silky skills to our forward line while the other ads midfield depth and ballwinning ability. I guess it'll come down to who does the better in the last practice match next week.
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a third rookie can be elevated round 11, right? I'd guess Relton with the benefit of age would get the nod at the moment, but my crystal ball is foggy and has a big crack in it.
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
I would have like to have seen Roberts/Contin and Gourdis get the opportunity.
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
Yep, he certainly hasn't shown much in the practice matches so far. I can only think that they are going to use him as a 'structural decoy' - keep the opposition's biggest defender honest by anchoring him to the goal square and allow Jack, Mitch etc the freedom of a one on one contest. I had hoped Polak would be showing a bit more but sadly, not yet.
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
I would have like to have seen Roberts/Contin and Gourdis get the opportunity.
agree 100%
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
I would have like to have seen Roberts/Contin and Gourdis get the opportunity.
agree 100%
second that!
i think Roberts is going to get a promotion.
seems like they love him!
:)
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
I would have like to have seen Roberts/Contin and Gourdis get the opportunity.
hmm, would love for polly to really add something but Im losing faith that he is up to the mark...I would have liked to see him stamp his authority in the pre season games, as in 7+ marks a game a few goals here and there...he looked to do ok in Cats game, prob a pass mark...the other outings have been forgettable...Id like to think they'll have another look next week before deciding as I too would like to see Goo get some chances
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
I would have like to have seen Roberts/Contin and Gourdis get the opportunity.
yep agree again whats going on.
to be honest i would even play gourdis as a quick leading ff. name one player his size as quick.name anyone on our list who fulfills this role. and we are talking genuine tall ff.
its a shame both griffiths and astbury are injured. in particular astbury. i can see them going all of gourdis polak and riewoldt. bit of flexability there with polak capable of playing as a large rr gourdis if needed fb.
until one of astbury griffiths is fit personally i would play post jack and gourdis forward.
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Relton Roberts did not hurt his chances with his game on Friday. :thumbsup
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:)
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
I would have like to have seen Roberts/Contin and Gourdis get the opportunity.
yep agree again whats going on.
to be honest i would even play gourdis as a quick leading ff. name one player his size as quick.name anyone on our list who fulfills this role. and we are talking genuine tall ff.
its a shame both griffiths and astbury are injured. in particular astbury. i can see them going all of gourdis polak and riewoldt. bit of flexability there with polak capable of playing as a large rr gourdis if needed fb.
until one of astbury griffiths is fit personally i would play post jack and gourdis forward.
Yep it's a shame Astbury and Griffiths injured so our options are limited.
I'd still prefer Postie up forward ahead of both Polly and Gourdis. The Essendon game last year showed he can play up there and kick goals.
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I am disappointed to hear Polak has been guaranteed one spot as I think he offers very little going forward.
I would have like to have seen Roberts/Contin and Gourdis get the opportunity.
yep agree again whats going on.
to be honest i would even play gourdis as a quick leading ff. name one player his size as quick.name anyone on our list who fulfills this role. and we are talking genuine tall ff.
its a shame both griffiths and astbury are injured. in particular astbury. i can see them going all of gourdis polak and riewoldt. bit of flexability there with polak capable of playing as a large rr gourdis if needed fb.
until one of astbury griffiths is fit personally i would play post jack and gourdis forward.
Yep it's a shame Astbury and Griffiths injured so our options are limited.
I'd still prefer Postie up forward ahead of both Polly and Gourdis. The Essendon game last year showed he can play up there and kick goals.
yep I see CHF written all over Postie.
As for the rookie picks decisions decisions.....The longer this preseason goes on the more I'm liking contin. Looks like a naturally sound footballer first which is what I like.. Polak is a feel good story and I have an admitted soft spot for him bc my partner was his nurse at the epworth after his accident but I don't want this to affect the chance of a contin/gourdis/roberts from getting their opportunity as those 3 are definitely ones I want to see play senior footy this season
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With the preseason now over who do folks think will now be promoted off the rookie list come Tuesday?
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Would say Polak & Roberts, both the mature rookies
Gourdis unlucky but next on the list for promotion along with Contin
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Should be Gourdis and Roberts.
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Contin or Gourdis , midfielder or kpp
As it has been for much of the last 10 years it was the midfield where we really lost it today.
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Contin or Gourdis , midfielder or kpp
As it has been for much of the last 10 years it was the midfield where we really lost it today.
Contin?? May I ask why, what has he done and has he performed better than Roberts??
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I think we should cut a couple of players so the likes of Contin and Gourdis dont miss out on promotion. It looks like Polak and Roberts will get promoted.
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I think we should cut a couple of players so the likes of Contin and Gourdis dont miss out on promotion. It looks like Polak and Roberts will get promoted.
i think Richmond shot themselves in the front saying Polak will get promoted!
i would have Gourdis and Roberts promoted.
but looks like Polak and Roberts.
after Round 11, another Rookie can be promoted?
:)
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Best game of footy I've seen Gourdis play. Kicking (actually disposal in general) is still heart in the mouth stuff but he consistently put his body on the line and actually read the play really well
Having said that.... we know Polak is being promoted
So based on yesterday and the entire practice match series...
Roberts to be promoted - something special that bloke
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Maybe we can promote Gourdis after round 11 or if one of our players ends up on the long term injury list?
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they should not promote polak
who cares what they said, thats going backwards
has to be relton and gourdis
polak is finished
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Polak and Roberts will get the nod, I suppose Polak actually crashes and bashes the packs and gives our forwards more space.
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Polak and Roberts will get the nod, I suppose Polak actually crashes and bashes the packs and gives our forwards more space.
how is that any different than what Tuck does. By that i mean crashing and bashing the packs to give our midfielders more space.
It should be no reason to offer someone a spot.
for the life of me i dont actually know what Polak has done to deserve the nod, if the RFC choose to go down that path.
Out of all the rookies if your judging on form, he wouldnt be in the top 3.
the rookies/first yr players have performed better than all our senior players and thats the most positive thing about our club at the minute
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Polak gets on average at a guess 5 possesions a game.
Tuck gets 25.
Would promote Relton and Gourdis.
Watching Relton play yesterday, at least he seems to play for the jumper, more than some on our list.
And he is abit of an X factor,although he could get slaughtered in regards to guys peeling off him .
He will learn though :thumbsup
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Polak gets on average at a guess 5 possesions a game.
Tuck gets 25.
and both are spuds.
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Polak gets on average at a guess 5 possesions a game.
Tuck gets 25.
and both are spuds.
I prefer someone who can least get the ball ::)
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I prefer someone who can least get the ball ::)
what good is that when they butcher it?
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I prefer someone who can least get the ball ::)
what good is that when they butcher it?
Well its betterb than someone who cant get it, have you watched Angus Grahams last 2 games, NO POSSESIONS
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Well its betterb than someone who cant get it, have you watched Angus Grahams last 2 games, NO POSSESIONS
How many hitouts did Tucky have? ::)
Not sure why you're comparing the no. of possessions of an on baller to a KPP and a ruckman but anyway..
Tuck will be replaced by another face sooner rather than later.
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i agree that tucky is harshly dealt with, would make a decent HFF with good o/head marking and nice kick...could do plenty worse
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At least Tuckcan mark , and get the ball in dispute, Gus Graham does NEITHER
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i agree that tucky is harshly dealt with, would make a decent HFF with good o/head marking and nice kick...could do plenty worse
I think we have better & younger half forwards than Tuck.
That's not where our weaknesses lie.
Still I'd play him ahead of that spud Hislop.
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i agree that tucky is harshly dealt with, would make a decent HFF with good o/head marking and nice kick...could do plenty worse
I think we have better & younger half forwards than Tuck.
That's not where our weaknesses lie.
Still I'd play him ahead of that spud Hislop.
Anyone with half a brain could see the Tuck would be an asset in F50,
Can take a contested mark and is a great kick for goal, for some unknown reason goes un-noticed
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not by everyone jack
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Anyone with half a brain could see the Tuck would be an asset in F50
Pffftt. That's why he's spent sooo much time there to date. ::)
Like I said, we've better AND more promising options than Tuck at HF.
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Roberts & Polak it is.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/90594/default.aspx
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Anyone with half a brain could see the Tuck would be an asset in F50
Pffftt. That's why he's spent sooo much time there to date. ::)
Like I said, we've better AND more promising options than Tuck at HF.
And thats why the club as Benny Gale has said has been a collective FAILURE.
They have no vision at Punt Road.
Unfortunately you have to work with the talent or lack of talent you have on your list.
Tuck at least has a go and to play him inside F 50m would be no risk to the club or the player, what they have to lose
They even tried Rance down there against Collingwood in the practise match until he was taken off the ground for good.
What I have seen in the practice matches , they aint too many options
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Polly a touch lucky as stats wise he hasn't done much but it's a good news story. Obviously we want a big body to take the No.1 opposition defender out of the play to free up Jack and Morton.
Well done Relts. Still needs to build up his fitness to outlast a full game but he provides a spark and pace that our forward lacks.
Hopefully Contin gets his chance in the second half of the season when we can promote another rookie without a LTI.
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I'm very pleased for Relton, he's been one of the big positives to come out of the pre-season. As for Polak, although I'm not surprised by this, I can't agree with the decision. He just hasn't shown enough for me. I'd rather have brought on David Gourdis as a key defender. His pre-season form has been excellent, which even Hardwick has acknowledged, and he's just the type of tall, strong body we need in an undersized, understrength backline (particularly with Rance not coming on as we'd have hoped.)
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so they promote a 8 yr failure who as done nothing at all pre season to deserve promotion. we dont need feel good stories we need RUTHLESS list management. and a bloke who struggles to run 100 metres without keeling over.
ah well some things just dont change at the rabble footy club.oh and this is in no way having a go at roberts but his fitness levels suggest it would be a risk taking him into any game atm. so why not wait till rnd 11 when he has built a base.
oh no we cant do that that would be common sense.
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so they promote a 8 yr failure who as done nothing at all pre season to deserve promotion. we dont need feel good stories we need RUTHLESS list management.
Agree claw. Not happy with the decision to promote Polak.
Less of an issue with Roberts. Provides a spark we lack at HF.
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Anyone with half a brain could see the Tuck would be an asset in F50,
:gobdrop The Wallace era is over.
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Well done to both the boys, lets hope they have a great year.
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well, Gourdis would of been a close third i think.
and looks like we were on the money, however, Polak, if we didn't get carried away, would not be promoted.
best of luck Polak and "Flash" Roberts!
:)
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I wish them both lots of luck.
Hopefully Roberts becomes a player for the future.
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from today's Herald-Sun....
Mature-aged rookie Graham Polak will cap a remarkable comeback to football.
Polak yesterday told the Herald Sun of his joy at being reinstated to the senior list alongside indigenous forward Relton Roberts.
"I was really excited when I heard the news," Polak said.
"I am really grateful to the club and all the Richmond fans," Polak said.
"I couldn't have got through this difficult time without my family, (fiancee) Alyce and my teammates."
Richmond said yesterday Polak, who missed last week's game against Essendon with a corked leg, was a strong chance to play against Carlton in Round 1.
He said he was ready to repay the club's faith in him.
"I realise every day how lucky I am," Polak said.
"I am feeling the best I have since the accident. Playing AFL footy means everything to me and I am so glad to be doing what I love."
Polak, 25, returned to senior football in Round 21 last year after being hit by a tram in June 2008, then was delisted and drafted again as a mature-aged rookie.
"Graham has worked very hard to get to where he is today and he deserves his spot," football manager Craig Cameron said.
Roberts has thrilled the club since being picked at No. 38 in last year's rookie draft.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/battery-of-tests-for-sick-ben-cousins/story-e6frf9jf-1225841143283
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The Ngandi Storm has pulled off a coup!!! :clapping :thumbsup He will be worth the price of admission alone I reckon.
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Roberts is a fair effort - pick #38 in the rookie draft to promoted before Round 1 (and likely to play in that round). Well done.
Also makes you wonder how many other jewels are out there - with outcomes like this starting to happen regularly there will be much more emphasis placed on trying overlooked mature bodies via the rookie draft, especially in the next couple of compromised years.
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Roberts gets senior call-up
GREY MORRIS
March 16th, 2010
TERRITORIAN Relton Roberts' transition from NTFL footballer to the biggest sporting stage in Australia was completed yesterday when AFL club Richmond promoted him to its senior list.
Ngukurr-born Roberts, 24, got the good news from Tiger officials minutes after dropping his family at Tullamarine Airport.
"I'm rapt, absolutely stoked," the former Wanderers, Arnhem Crows and Territory Thunder forward told the Northern Territory News last night.
"They told me it was a reward for the amount of hard work I've put in since I got to Melbourne, so it's a big thrill for me and my family to be a league footballer with Richmond."
Roberts' two goals from a forward flank and clever first touch football in the Tigers' final practice match against Essendon at Morwell on Saturday convinced new coach Damien Hardwick the "Ngandi Storm" was made of the right stuff.
Essendon won easily, but Roberts' performance won rave reviewsand prompted Hardwick to call Roberts with the good news.
Roberts got a late call-up in last year's rookie draft when the Tigers used pick No.38 to get him, but he has made every post a winner since with his creativity, elusiveness and clean use of the football.
``Hopefully they'll give me a game in the first game against Carlton next week (March 25),'' an ecstatic Roberts said.
``I can't wait for the first game and I know the rest of the players are, especially at the MCG.''
Wanderers president Steve Olsson said his former player was already a cult figure at Punt Road.
``They swamped him after the Essendon game, everyone wanted to meet him and get his autograph,'' Olsson laughed.
``It's great for Relton and great for Territory football and certainly a bit different to his time in Darwin and Katherine.''
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/03/16/132011_ntsport.html
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Thanks one eyed.
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I'm wrapped for Roberts. I thought we had found a star in the making when I saw him at training for the first time. He just stood out for his skills, poise and decision making. I never saw his pace or foot skills at that stage but from all reports here and in the media he has those in abundance too.
I'm excited to have someone of his ability come off the rookie list and slot into our forwardline. He is now offically one of my players to watch this year. :thumbsup
Stripes