One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on May 01, 2012, 10:36:40 PM
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In Richmond’s defence they have been settling in
By: Roger “Shooter” Cooper
AFL Online
May 1, 2012
When Richmond’s final team to play the West Coast on Sunday was selected in the Saturday paper, two things occurred to me. This is the same back six which was selected the previous week and when was the last time their back six did not change? The formation I am referring to is Morris – Rance – Newman; Houli – Grimes – Batchelor.
Much has been made of Richmond’s ups and downs since commencing yet another rebuild under Damien Hardwick in 2010. It took until round 10 that year to break a 13 match losing streak (the Tigers lost the last four games of 2009) when they gritted their way to a 47 point win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. One bookmaker even paid out on the Tigers winning the wooden spoon in 2010 as early as round 4 after they were winless with an average losing margin of almost ten goals.
An Essendon supporter, I was there to witness their ninth straight loss under Hardwick in 2010 when the Bombers started with a seven goal to two first quarter before eventually winning by 35 points. In defence for Richmond that night were Newman (13 possessions), Rance (10), McGuane (10), Moore (8 ) Nason (8 ) and Thursfield (5). Essendon took 110 marks to Richmond’s 63. Perhaps this loss to the club he won a premiership with in 2000 (as a key figure in one of the most ruthless defence’s of the modern era) was the catalyst for rebuilding Richmond’s brittle defence. In between then and their spirited loss to the undefeated West Coast Eagles on Sunday, the Tigers have ‘improved’ to a 15-23-1 record under Hardwick. Ironically the Eagles (24-19-0 during the same period) were the eventual wooden spooners in 2010.
Assuming Richmond’s back six has been fairly settled since Jake Batchelor came into the team in round 2, their averages in four games are impressive: Morris (16 possessions), Rance (21), Newman (23), Houli (24), Grimes (16), Batchelor (19). In those games the team also managed an average of 107 marks compared to 91 and a (points) for and against of 105%. It was predominantly quality opposition too in three of last year’s top four teams (Geelong, Collingwood and West Coast) and a lowly Melbourne. While the Tigers did score 133 against a depleted Demons side, they only conceded over 100 points once (107) to West Coast.
The team’s defensive structure does not solely rely on the shoulders of its emerging back six, as just to name a few like Deledio, Grigg, Conca and Ellis all spend time back there to help out and provide elite kicking. A tough and skillful defender himself, “Dimma” has focused on developing quick ball movement and elite kicking out of Richmond’s defence, which had previously dogged the Tigers. However clearly there is a correlation between a settled back six and more consistent team performances. Let’s briefly examine the players old and new, which comprise the Tiger’s current back six.
Steven Morris
Originally overlooked as a Father-Son selection to the Tigers, they are now blessed to have him. Beginning in round 1 Morris has carried on his great work as a physical small defender in the SANFL last year at AFL level.
Alex Rance
Already showing good improvement from his second to third AFL season, Rance has taken it to another level this year. He’s physically developed enough to play on the big boys and hurt them going forward if not manned up.
Chris Newman
Most would agree that the skipper’s ball winning ability and disposal has gone to the elite category.
Bachar Houli
Given a regular role at half back and through the midfield with the Tigers, Houli has made rapid improvement under Hardwick and is seemingly more composed with his disposal under pressure.
Dylan Grimes
Now in his third season and standing at 193cm, Grimes is starting to find his feet at the level and provide much needed grunt and muscle along with Rance. Like his older brother Jack at Melbourne, wears his opponents like a glove.
Jake Batchelor
I saw Batchelor play in the TAC Cup competition in 2010 and thought he was the best contested mark of his group. In only his second AFL season, he is already showing glimpses it will be a strength at the senior level.
It has taken two years but finally Dimma has a settled and balanced emerging back six which can help propel the Tigers to a long overdue finals campaign. After a tough 1-4 start to the season it may not be in 2012 but if this group can stay healthy over the next 12-18 months, Tiger fans have plenty to look forward too.
http://www.aflonline.com.au/afl-blog/2012/05/01/in-richmonds-defence-they-have-been-settling-in/
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morris want overlooked as a father son, he was traded for to avoid a bidding war under the father son rules with Port. :wallywink
better reload and try again "shooter"
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Not sure about the comment about Newman's disposal being "elite"
think his disposal on the most part this season has been average at best, becaue he isn't using it to advantage. His long kicking is his strength and this year he seems more interested in stopping, proping and then kicking short
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Not sure it took losing to Essendon for Dimma to realise we needed a new defence either ::)
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I think Shooter was referring to Morris back in his "teens" was overlooked as a Father Son pick, Al.
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I think Shooter was referring to Morris back in his "teens" was overlooked as a Father Son pick, Al.
Yep, Shooter McGavin was right. Back in your box, Alaister
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Not sure about the comment about Newman's disposal being "elite"
think his disposal on the most part this season has been average at best, becaue he isn't using it to advantage. His long kicking is his strength and this year he seems more interested in stopping, proping and then kicking short
Couldnt agree more
IMO he has either gone backwards in form or the others around him are finally starting to catch up.. either way he is not the player he has been of recent years
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I thought he played his best game for the year on Sunday.
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morris want overlooked as a father son, he was traded for to avoid a bidding war under the father son rules with Port. :wallywink
better reload and try again "shooter"
Was originally overlooked a few years ago.
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I thought he played his best game for the year on Sunday.
Agree Wilbur
about time too
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I thought he played his best game for the year on Sunday.
about time too
:yep
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I thought he played his best game for the year on Sunday.
about time too
:yep
:yep :yep
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I thought he played his best game for the year on Sunday.
Yeah fair enough it may have been his best game for the year, i wont dispute that. But as i stated before I dont believe he is playing anywhere near his best.
For me personally, he was the one who would take charge in grim situations, take the ball and clear it out of the backline with the great kick of his.
I just dont feel or see any of that so far this year from him (his best I mean)
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I thought he played his best game for the year on Sunday.
Yeah fair enough it may have been his best game for the year, i wont dispute that. But as i stated before I dont believe he is playing anywhere near his best.
For me personally, he was the one who would take charge in grim situations, take the ball and clear it out of the backline with the great kick of his.
I just dont feel or see any of that so far this year from him (his best I mean)
I agree with you, mate. There's no question that his output has increased in the last two years. He seems to have gone from being a good solid player to an average player. Im just hoping that his improved performance on the weekend is a sign of a new vein of form.
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I wonder where Griffiths and Astbury fit in to the stable back six?
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I wonder where Griffiths and Astbury fit in to the stable back six?
Griff is a bust
Astbury to take Miller's role in due course
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I don't think that Griff is a write off yet. As a KPP he is still extremely young. His booming kick is a weapon that must be utilized at full back kick outs to kick over the defensive zone. One clip of him at Coburg shows him reaching the wing with his kick out!!!
He is a good mark and with another year or two of strengthening he will be a monster.
Just keep the faith.
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Not sure about the comment about Newman's disposal being "elite"
think his disposal on the most part this season has been average at best, becaue he isn't using it to advantage. His long kicking is his strength and this year he seems more interested in stopping, proping and then kicking short
SPot on WP.
He is normally pretty good but he made a few costly mistakes on Sunday with his disposal IMO and didnt hit targets as clean as he normally does putting them under the pump.
Certainly dont see him as elite.
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I think Shooter was referring to Morris back in his "teens" was overlooked as a Father Son pick, Al.
forgot about that (http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQVlKN-Vm4NWJLrIXCVrZvmood0WHNmemiBJAhqmSrlYGLjnxd8VHriQQ)
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You guys are too hard on Newy, he will never be an inspirational leader he will do his job and that's about it. If you want inspirational leaders wait to Cotch gets the job.
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You guys are too hard on Newy, he will never be an inspirational leader he will do his job and that's about it. If you want inspirational leaders wait to Cotch gets the job.
Newy is like Richie Vandenburg. Captain because he is a solid senior citizen.
The sooner Cotch gets the job the better.
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we still need a big bastrard defender
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we still need a big bastrard defender
Someone like Merrett
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we still need a big bastrard defender
Someone like Merrett
Not like him, we'll have him :shh ;)
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Signed a 7 year contract during the week mate
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Signed a 7 year contract during the week mate
Who Merritt? Isn't he like 35 or something??
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You're thinking of Dustin Fletcher.
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You're thinking of Dustin Fletcher.
lol......silly me :wallywink
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April has massive cans maybe she can do the job
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April has massive cans maybe she can do the job
Link??
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April has massive cans maybe she can do the job
Link??
http://bit.ly/IsGWEa
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April has massive cans maybe she can do the job
Link??
http://bit.ly/IsGWEa
Clearly not fitted at Bra's and Things.........