One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on March 05, 2005, 01:36:20 AM
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Season preview - Richmond
Lyall Johnson
The Age
March 5, 2005
In attack, in defence, on and off the ground, the Richmond of 2004 was a shambles. A new year, a new coach, and a healthy dose of some of the country's most exciting young talent has lifted spirits, but will it lift the Tigers up the ladder? Lyall Johnson runs a rule over the summer's comings and goings and predicts the club has turned the corner.
Surely anyone interested in the AFL who hasn't been living in a cave for the past year knows Richmond is the most talked-about club in the league, pretty much for all the wrong reasons.
The wooden spoon, its coaching turmoil and Danny Frawley's inevitable demise, fans spitting at players and the coach, the club's $2 million-plus debt, failed board challenges, the threat of an extraordinary general meeting and the departure of Ian Campbell, its shortlived chief executive, to name but a few, all made for a parlous state of affairs down at Punt Road.
But through the mire, a glimmer of hope emerged late in 2004 with the signing of Terry Wallace as coach for the next five years after his stint in the media. And in his charismatic wake came the drafting, albeit with the gift of a priority pick from its poor 2004 showing, of some of the most exciting young players the club has had in more than a decade.
The next few years no doubt will be a tantalising time for Richmond fans, with the likes of Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling and the other highly rated 2004 draftees joining stars such as Nathan Brown, Kane Johnson and Matthew Richardson. Throw into that mix the exciting Mark Coughlan, who virtually starts 2005 as a recruit after a groin injury sidelined him last year and, despite the wooden spoon, things actually don't seem altogether bleak.
Could the bottoming out at Punt Road and the massive clear-out of some pedestrian players be the turning point the long-suffering Richmond faithful have long prayed for? It must be, many are thinking, because things could not get any worse.
It is not underestimating the situation to say Wallace is considered the linchpin to Richmond's short- and longterm success. He has brought with him a strong assistant coaching team and engineered the trading of ruckman/forward Troy Simmonds to fill the shoes of Brad Ottens, who left for Geelong.
Wallace will have to change what has become a losing culture at Punt Road, but he has the chance to mould the Tigers' exciting young list into players of the future.
It is almost pointless to explain where the Tigers need to improve – essentially it is everywhere. They need to kick more goals, leak less in defence, run harder, rebound quicker and use the ball faster, be more accountable, bulk up in the gym and vastly improve their hand and foot skills. Oh, and a smattering of con- fidence would go a long way.
Wallace himself admits it will be no mean feat to turn the club around and has warned fans not to expect too much in his first year. Regardless, fans can expect to see significant improvement, enough to perhaps surprise a few higher-rated sides. It will be a tough road for the Tigers this year, but to use the cliche, the only way is up.
ARRIVALS
Troy Simmonds (trade), Mark Graham (draft), Trent Knobel (pre-season draft), Brett Deledio (draft), Richard Tambling (draft), Dean Polo (draft), Luke McGuane (draft), Adam Pattison (draft), Danny Meyer (draft), Dean Limbach (draft), Kelvin Moore (rookie list),Will Thursfield (rookie draft).
DEPARTURES
Brad Ottens (trade), Aaron Fiora (trade), Simon Fletcher (delisted), Justin Blumfield (delisted), Tim Fleming (delisted), Adam Houlihan (delisted), Duncan Kellaway (retired), Ben Marsh (delisted), Bill Nicholls (delisted), Matthew Rogers (retired), Luke Weller (delisted), Ty Zantuck (delisted), Marc Dragicevic (delisted).
ON THE RISE
BRENT HARTIGAN Debuted impressively in his first year at the club, playing 19 games. Showed good run, skills and decision-making ability and was a genuine highlight of Richmond's poor season.
ANDREW KRAKOUER Finally rewarded the faith shown in him by Danny Frawley and made the transition from opportunist goalsneak to midfield ball-earner. Will improve further with greater bulk and fitness.
MARK COUGHLAN The 2003 club champion returns almost as a recruit. The logic is, if he can win the best and fairest in only his second full year of AFL football, the sky is the limit for the tough, hard-ball-get Coughlan.
AT THE CROSSROADS
KAYNE PETTIFER The 2000 first-round draft choice has never lived up to what was thought to be his potential. A shift to defence in 2004 seemed to help him but he desperately needs to step up to the plate with all the new young talent around Punt Road.
RORY HILTON Serious shoulder and knee injuries have set back Hilton's hopes of cementing himself at Richmond and if he doesn't stay fit and make the grade this year, is likely to be seeking a new home.
DARREN GASPAR A great player out of form due to serious injury. But having said that, the former All-Australian defender can't afford to remain out of sorts for long.
THE COACH
The most-hyped signing of 2004 after the club decided not to reappoint Danny Frawley, Terry Wallace is seen by many as the white knight who will restore off-field pride and onfield performance to the club he played for briefly in 1987. A triple-premiership player with Hawthorn, Wallace coached the Western Bulldogs for six-and-a-half seasons, taking them to finals in four of those years, and most recently had a stint in the media. He has five years to sort out what he calls his "unfinished business" at Punt Road.
TOP 10, 2004 BEST AND FAIREST
1. Joel Bowden 324
2. Kane Johnson 279
3. Nathan Brown 273
4. Matthew Richardson 215
5. Chris Hyde 166
6. Andrew Krakouer 145
7. Brent Hartigan 111
8. Brad Ottens 95
9. Ray Hall 78
10. Chris Newman 76
STATS HIGHLIGHTS
The Tigers were the second-worst at scoring goals and the second-worst defensively, with about 700 points separating them from the best sides in both areas. Richmond was also the worst in centre-bounce clearances and found that on the rare occasions it got inside 50, its ability to take marks inside 50, despite the herculean efforts of Richardson, was the second-worst. On the positive side, it rated well in contested ball gets and third in spoils.
OUR EXPERTS PREDICT
Rohan Connolly 14th
Karen Lyon 13th
Jake Niall 15th
Emma Quayle 13th
Peter Schwab 15th
Robert Walls 15th
Tim Watson 16th
Caroline Wilson 11th
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/articles/2005/03/04/1109700684540.html?oneclick=true
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OUR EXPERTS PREDICT
Rohan Connolly 14th
Karen Lyon 13th
Jake Niall 15th
Emma Quayle 13th
Peter Schwab 15th
Robert Walls 15th
Tim Watson 16th
Caroline Wilson 11th :o
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/articles/2005/03/04/1109700684540.html?oneclick=true
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What did we do to pee Tim Watson off? :lol
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Interesting, because Watson is a Richmond supporter, or was as a kid. Maybe he has gone into sympathy for Frawley, considering that Watson himself was a hack coach.
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If there's an ulterior motive that's probably it Rodge.
Don't really need an ulterior motive to have us coming last though. We will finish thereabouts..
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A few more guys than that are at the crossroads as pointed out in WP's season preview - Morrison, Chaffey and Tivs.
It is almost pointless to explain where the Tigers need to improve – essentially it is everywhere. They need to kick more goals, leak less in defence, run harder, rebound quicker and use the ball faster, be more accountable, bulk up in the gym and vastly improve their hand and foot skills. Oh, and a smattering of con- fidence would go a long way.
7 of those 9 areas can be traced back to Spud's negative over-defensive tactics :scream.
Regardless, fans can expect to see significant improvement, enough to perhaps surprise a few higher-rated sides.
When you have a team with lots of kids it's almost guaranteed that we will come out one day this year and not only beat a top side but the kids will click and we'll flog them (a la Mother's Day Massacre) in a massive upset. Then probably lose the following week to a bottom side.
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Maybe he has gone into sympathy for Frawley, considering that Watson himself was a hack coach.
Could also be reality too, Rog. Sure, we've picked up some good players and i reckon we'll kick a few more goals this year, but our defence is pretty weak and maybe that's why ppl think we'll not go much up the ladder.
I'd pick 15th, as i reckon we're marginally better than the Hawkers.
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OUR EXPERTS PREDICT
Rohan Connolly 14th
Karen Lyon 13th
Jake Niall 15th
Emma Quayle 13th
Peter Schwab 15th
Robert Walls 15th
Tim Watson 16th
Caroline Wilson 11th
Our experts :o gotta be a play on words doesn't it ;D
And what's Caro on 11th :gobdrop ;D she's obviously been swept up in the moment :rollin :rollin
I haven't been following these previews very closely - who's there tip for 16th?
I saw in today's Age that they did Adelaide and a few have tipped them for 15th and Robert Walls reckons the Crows will finish 8th :o :o (me thinks he's been to close to the fumes at Albert Park this week :rollin)
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LOL @ Walls. If the crows get anywhere near the top 8 I'll run down Rundle Mall singing "we're the pride of SA" :rollin. Seriously if they didn't have 11 home games at footy park they would be equal favourites for the wooden spoon with the Hawks.
I haven't been following these previews very closely - who's there tip for 16th?
6 of them had the Hawks finishing last. Only dud coaches Timmy and their former coach Peter Schwab didn't tip 'em to finish 16th.
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Speaking of Walls, did anyone hear him a couple of days ago on the radio discussing the topic of who does and who doesn't qualify as a champion?
He defined a champion as someone who plays at an extremely high level consistently over a long period of time.
He was asked if there were any champions at Richmond and he said no. Dwayne Russell asked him how close was he to saying Richo and Walls said not close at all.
ROFLFLFMAOOOOOOOOOOO@Walls and his Richmond directed pessimism. lmfaoooooooo@still being dirty that he got the sack.
Even though I agree that Richo isn't a champion it was funny to here him say with some venom what he thought of Richo. Must have been frustrated by the big fella on a good few occasions :lol
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Tiger supporters never forgave Walls for 1972. Then failing to make the finals after inheriting a finals side. He was doomed from the day he walked into Tigerland. Another decision at Punt Road made in panic mode :banghead because Northey walked. The last few games when he was coach before gettng sacked were on par with Spud's :banghead. Even under Spud we never lost by 140 pts :help.
Funny how Walls has forgotten Richo kicked 96 goals in one season under him. lol @ him wanting to make us less predictable yet plonked Richo at FF ???.
Did you ring him up John about give him a spray for not mentioning Cambo? :rollin
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Tiger supporters never forgave Walls for 1972. Then failing to make the finals after inheriting a finals side. He was doomed from the day he walked into Tigerland. Another decision at Punt Road made in panic mode :banghead because Northey walked. The last few games when he was coach before gettng sacked were on par with Spud's :banghead. Even under Spud we never lost by 140 pts :help.
Funny how Walls has forgotten Richo kicked 96 goals in one season under him. lol @ him wanting to make us less predictable yet plonked Richo at FF ???.
Did you ring him up John about give him a spray for not mentioning Cambo? :rollin
lol, had Walls stayed for a few more years he probably would have outSpudded Spud.
roflfmaooo! I was tempted to call in and tell Walls that Campbell met his criteria for a champion and was one of only three players currently playing the game to finish 8 times in the top three players of the best and fairest at their respective clubs (Harvey and Buckley being the other two who Walls called champions), but I didn't want to have the scorn and ridicule of the football community come down on me for suggesting that Campbell was a champ. :shh
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roflfmaooo! I was tempted to call in and tell Walls that Campbell met his criteria for a champion and was one of only three players currently playing the game to finish 8 times in the top three players of the best and fairest at their respective clubs (Harvey and Buckley being the other two who Walls called champions), but I didn't want to have the scorn and ridicule of the football community come down on me for suggesting that Campbell was a champ. :shh
:rollin
lol @ John ringing up from a public phonebox with a false accent :shh.
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I heard that John and the players he rated and didn't rate was amazing.
As if anyone gives a stuff what he thinks.
Didn't rate Jonathan Brown, Wanganeen and heaps of other great players.
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I really don't like Walls and his "superior than thou" attitude to everyone.
And whatever happened to his constant predictions that Richo will kick 15 goals one day?
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I heard that John and the players he rated and didn't rate was amazing.
As if anyone gives a stuff what he thinks.
Didn't rate Jonathan Brown, Wanganeen and heaps of other great players.
Yeah lol, but he'll probably have Lance Whitnall as a champion by year's end.
Some other controversial opinions he had when they were throwing names at him:
Ken Hunter wasn't a champion.
Maurice Rioli wasn't a champion.
Glenn Archer is a champion.
Reiwoldt is a champion (even though it doesn't meet his criteria).
I didn't hear the start of the conversation but I think he was talking of playing well in the big games, and winning norm smith medals counts for a lot.
He then said Gary Ayres wasn't a champion.
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Reiwoldt is a champion (even though it doesn't meet his criteria).
How can Reiwoldt be a champion when he's only be playing for 3-4 years :banghead
Personally I don't Reiwoldt is champion - not yet anyway. I actually think he is very over-rated.
Doesn't take enough contested marks in my book and he goets a lot of his kicks on the wing which doesn't really hurt the opposition - but that's another story
Maurice Rioli wasn't a champion.
I didn't hear the start of the conversation but I think he was talking of playing well in the big games, and winning norm smith medals counts for a lot.
Maurice Rioli won a Norm Smith medal - so what the hell is Wallsy going on about :banghead Give me a break
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while on the topic of wallsy heard him on channel 10 and he stated that whitnal was a champion for carlton....pigs arse....i reckon.....
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roflfmaooooo, stuff me dead. The guy is on the verge of being delisted, plays two decent games in the wizard cup and now he's a champion.
Wonder if Fiora will be a champion in a couple weeks time.
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It's unbeleivable how highly regarded Robert Walls is in the media when he really has no idea about football. The master of calling the good moves after they have happened and he just loves the phrase "well he's just gonna learn the hard way". He has NFI. During the Carlton Bullogs game Gilbee was kicking out from a behind and as he took too much time the umpire called play on. As such Gilbee did play on and was called for not placing a little kick to himself, a reasonable error considering the ump called play on and Fevola was running at him. Anyway the almighty wanker Walls went off his tree and was saying how it is an in-excusable mistake and that professional footballers should know better. Yeah, Wallsy, why weren't you just as tough the tiges when you coached them instead of making stupid comments like we're a top 4 team after being belted by essendon by 100 points. I just can't understand how chanel 10 and the radio station he works for sign him up when he talks utter crap. IMO he is the worst football caller.
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Agree Hasslehoffman.
Never analyses the game or offers an opinion on a tactical move until after its consequences take place. When the consequences have taken place he then goes on to describe what just happened as if we couldn't see plainly enough.
There are plenty of idiots in commentary, like Brereton, but at least he puts his arss on the line and analyses tactics before they become obviously exposed or succesful.
And lmfaooooo@having his head up Crhis Johnson's arrs about his kick-ins.