One-Eyed Richmond Forum

Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on May 31, 2012, 12:10:03 PM

Title: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: one-eyed on May 31, 2012, 12:10:03 PM
St Kilda coach Scott Watters says Richmond midfield is the best in the AFL

    Rebecca Williams
    From: Herald Sun
    May 31, 2012 11:27AM


ST KILDA will have to combat what coach Scott Watters has rated as the best midfield in the AFL in tomorrow night's blockbuster against a resurgent Richmond.

Asked today to rate the Tigers' improvement this season, Watters said their midfield was a standout in the competition.

"Their midfield is arguably the best midfield in the AFL,'' Watters said today before Saints training at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

"We have had many people say that throughout the week.

"Have a look at the depth - (Trent) Cotchin, (Dustin) Martin, (Brett) Deledio, (Nathan) Foley, the list goes on and on.

"I think if it's not the best midfield, it's certainly close.''

Watters said the Saints, who have experienced their own form resurgence to sit seventh with a 5-4 record, were primed for the challenge against a "red-hot'' Richmond at Etihad Stadium.

"It's a huge challenge,'' Watters said.

"Obviously, we have seen a lot of the vision this week, they were very impressive against a quality side in the Hawks.

"Our guys are just relishing the challenge...in-form Richmond side, Tiger Army on the march, it's fantastic.''

Watters confirmed midfielder Jarryn Geary had been ruled out of the Tigers clash after suffering a minor facial fracture in last week's match against Sydney.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/st-kilda-coach-scott-watters-says-richmond-midfield-is-the-best-in-the-afl/story-e6frf9jf-1226376219073
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Eat_em_Alive on May 31, 2012, 12:20:47 PM
What a wanker... Please Scott, no need for your dribble
Dimmas response was accurate " richmond the inform club in the league?" " Well we have won one in a row, sit 12th on ladder and have a current record of 4-5"

That's was audio from SEN earlier today..

Now they've rattled my cage, I hope we smash these aints
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Dubstep Dookie on May 31, 2012, 12:44:23 PM
Time to get arrogant   ;)
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Coach on May 31, 2012, 01:30:25 PM
Time to get arrogant   ;)

Yeah, that will take us to the promise land.....
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Mr Magic on May 31, 2012, 01:55:16 PM
Dimmas response was accurate " richmond the inform club in the league?" " Well we have won one in a row, sit 12th on ladder and have a current record of 4-5"

That's was audio from SEN earlier today..

Haha. He's getting good at this.

True though. I'm not sure yet just how good the Hawks win was despite them being touted as pre season premiers by many.

Aints will be tough to beat. We've got to come to play.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Stripes on May 31, 2012, 02:28:43 PM
Great response from Dimma. Just mind games trying to rattle our young midfield and inspire theirs. We will have our work cut out across the ground though they are a little stretched down back. I'm predicting Cotchin will play more forward due to Jones influence and kick a nice little bag  :pray

The Saints experienced players are used to smashing us and have no respect for our players or club. You can almost hear it in Goddard's grab earlier. My biggest concern is their forwards - I think they are hard to all contain and Griff will struggle to contain either tall. As always, our greatest defense will come from our midfield. A lot of pressure on the center.  :-\
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: one-eyed on May 31, 2012, 02:38:35 PM
DAMIEN Hardwick has laughed off suggestions his Richmond midfield is the best in the AFL.

A day before the clubs clash in a fast-burning blockbuster at Etihad Stadium, St Kilda coach Scott Watters this morning began the mind games with claims the Tigers have the pick of the centre-square bunch.

But Hardwick, who cracked a broad smile when told of his opposite number's comments, said Richmond had a long way to go to reach that mantle.

"It's a big call, especially after (we've won) one in a row (and are) sitting 12th on the ladder with only four wins,'' he said.

"We've got a hell of a long way to go. Our guys are inexperienced but they're improving, we grant that.

"But (the Saints) are a side that's delivered on the big stage over the course of the past six years and we're a long way behind in that category.''

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/tigers-still-have-a-long-way-to-go-says-coach-damien-hardwick/story-e6frf9jf-1226376452723
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Eat_em_Alive on May 31, 2012, 02:45:30 PM
Thanks OE  :thumbsup

So really, we should come out and say...
jees whoa, I mean whoa....  :shh :shh
1. They played in 3 GRAND FINALS in the last 4 years...
2. Have an excellent win/loss record
3. we have not beaten them for 9 bloody years
4. Have the some of the most elite players in the comp..
5. their spiritual leader is back and kicking behind
6. Their goal sneak  ;) foward is an alleged ...

the list goes on

Edit: We can't refer to any legal case even in jest as it puts OER at risk.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Coach on May 31, 2012, 02:49:50 PM
Thanks OE  :thumbsup

So really, we should come out and say...
jees whoa, I mean whoa....  :shh :shh
1. They played in 3 GRAND FINALS in the last 4 years...
2. Have an excellent win/loss record
3. we have not beaten them for 9 bloody years
4. Have the some of the most elite players in the comp..
5. their spiritual leader is back and kicking behind
6. Their inform foward is an alleged ...

the list goes on


Edit: We can't refer to any legal case even in jest as it puts OER at risk.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Penelope on May 31, 2012, 03:07:45 PM
..that we know of
:outtahere


Edit: We can't refer to any legal cases even in jest as it puts OER at risk.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Stripes on May 31, 2012, 04:08:32 PM
If our midfield is the best then why are we the 16th ranked side in the competition for clearances  :o  :-\

This surprises me tremendously. I thought we would be near the top  :huh
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: JVT on May 31, 2012, 04:16:29 PM
If our midfield is the best then why are we the 16th ranked side in the competition for clearances  :o  :-\

This surprises me tremendously. I thought we would be near the top  :huh
According to Mark Robinson in 'the tackle' we are 3rd for clearances:

Try these numbers:

The Tigers have won 18 more centre clearances than their opposition this season, and are ranked third in the league. Last year, the team won 80 less centre clearances than their opposition and was ranked dead last.

The Tigers have won 24 more hitouts to advantage than their opposition this season, and is ranked fourth. Last year, the team had 81 less hitouts to advantage than their opposition and was ranked second last

The Tigers have won 43 more hardball gets than their opposition, ranked fifth. Last year, the team had two less hardball gets than their opposition and was ranked 11th.

Big Ivan has taken five contested marks and is ranked third amongst genuine ruckmen behind Cox and Sandilands.

In effect, he is another midfielder, a la Cox. He has attended 84.5 per cent of Richmond's center bounces, the second highest percentage of any player in the comp behind Adelaide's Scott Thompson (87.2 per cent).

He is second to Cox in possessions won by a ruckman and second to Cox in uncontested possessions.

The midfield supplies balance of contested and uncontested possession.

The Tigers have 11 players ranked in the top 100 players for uncontested possessions.

They are Grigg (1), Deledio (5), Bachar Houli off a bank stuff (15), Martin (32), Cotchin (35), defender Alex Rance (57) and Tuck, Foley and the skipper Chris Newman (T67) the next best.

If Maric is the goliath big man, Tuck is the evergreen midfielder.

He is 10th for contested possessions and heads Foley, Cotchin and Deledio ranked in the top 50.

They are the numbers which support the eyes. The Tigers play fierce, quick, continuous football and if the forward group had functioned better than it has, it's not inconceivable the Tigers could be sitting in the top four.

Richmond's problem is playing to expectations.

It's a different kind of pressure, and something the young group will learn over the next couple of months.



Ivan Maric MVP anyone??  :gotigers (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/expert-opinion/dale-thomas-the-tank-engine/story-stuff-engine/story-fn5937w8-1226368656428[/url)
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Stripes on May 31, 2012, 04:33:59 PM
Interesting on this analysis on Sportal with Robert Walls they state that we are ranked 16th. Perhaps Robinson is talking Center Clearances as opposed to overall/across the ground clearances ???

TSI - 'Like the Tigers of Old'
http://www.sportal.com.au/tsi (http://www.sportal.com.au/tsi)
(at the 1.50 mark)

So you have Walls or Robinson so choose from  :o

Great stats though JVT -  Easy to see why Maric is so important to us.  :thumbsup
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: the claw on May 31, 2012, 05:14:30 PM
If our midfield is the best then why are we the 16th ranked side in the competition for clearances  :o  :-\

This surprises me tremendously. I thought we would be near the top  :huh
According to Mark Robinson in 'the tackle' we are 3rd for clearances:

Try these numbers:

The Tigers have won 18 more centre clearances than their opposition this season, and are ranked third in the league. Last year, the team won 80 less centre clearances than their opposition and was ranked dead last.

The Tigers have won 24 more hitouts to advantage than their opposition this season, and is ranked fourth. Last year, the team had 81 less hitouts to advantage than their opposition and was ranked second last

The Tigers have won 43 more hardball gets than their opposition, ranked fifth. Last year, the team had two less hardball gets than their opposition and was ranked 11th.

Big Ivan has taken five contested marks and is ranked third amongst genuine ruckmen behind Cox and Sandilands.

In effect, he is another midfielder, a la Cox. He has attended 84.5 per cent of Richmond's center bounces, the second highest percentage of any player in the comp behind Adelaide's Scott Thompson (87.2 per cent).

He is second to Cox in possessions won by a ruckman and second to Cox in uncontested possessions.

The midfield supplies balance of contested and uncontested possession.

The Tigers have 11 players ranked in the top 100 players for uncontested possessions.

They are Grigg (1), Deledio (5), Bachar Houli off a bank stuff (15), Martin (32), Cotchin (35), defender Alex Rance (57) and Tuck, Foley and the skipper Chris Newman (T67) the next best.

If Maric is the goliath big man, Tuck is the evergreen midfielder.

He is 10th for contested possessions and heads Foley, Cotchin and Deledio ranked in the top 50.

They are the numbers which support the eyes. The Tigers play fierce, quick, continuous football and if the forward group had functioned better than it has, it's not inconceivable the Tigers could be sitting in the top four.

Richmond's problem is playing to expectations.

It's a different kind of pressure, and something the young group will learn over the next couple of months.



Ivan Maric MVP anyone??  :gotigers
 (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/expert-opinion/dale-thomas-the-tank-engine/story-stuff-engine/story-fn5937w8-1226368656428[/url)
thats a good post. id go so far as to say our top 5 or 6 mids including big ivan are the equal of any other group. its after that 6 or so where we fail. we also fail up forward.
one who doesnt get a mantion is morris we dont get savaged by the small forwards any more.

without doubt we have improved and the stats back that up but without doubt we have so much more to do. again i ask just how far off do we drop if we lose 5 or so of those in our consistent top 14 or 15 players.  the job is only half done a lot of signs are good but we have an opportunity to build something really special if we just bite the bullit and do what must be done.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Loui Tufga on May 31, 2012, 05:57:45 PM
the job is only half done a lot of signs are good but we have an opportunity to build something really special if we just bite the bullit and do what must be done.

Claw FFS get a grip!!!!! Have we not been biting the Bullet over the last 3 years?? Why do you all of a sudden think we are not going bother showing up to the draft this year??
You keep banging on about it like the 2012 draft day has been and gone! FFS man relax to the season ends then get all worked up about it!! The way your going though you will have a stroke before Draft day even gets here!
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Smokey on May 31, 2012, 06:08:29 PM
If our midfield is the best then why are we the 16th ranked side in the competition for clearances  :o  :-\

This surprises me tremendously. I thought we would be near the top  :huh

I can't conceive that we are ranked 16th for clearances.  I'm not doubting you personally Stripes but I think your source is dead wrong.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: bojangles17 on May 31, 2012, 06:09:21 PM
Scotty, we know that, you know that, but ffs dont tell the whole world :lol
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Mr Magic on May 31, 2012, 06:27:42 PM
thats a good post. id go so far as to say our top 5 or 6 mids including big ivan are the equal of any other group. its after that 6 or so where we fail. we also fail up forward.
one who doesnt get a mantion is morris we dont get savaged by the small forwards any more.

without doubt we have improved and the stats back that up but without doubt we have so much more to do. again i ask just how far off do we drop if we lose 5 or so of those in our consistent top 14 or 15 players.  the job is only half done a lot of signs are good but we have an opportunity to build something really special if we just bite the bullit and do what must be done.

You'll be very happy to know then that the club is planning to go deep in the draft this year then. They are well aware of the quality of kids in this year's crop and our weakness in the list currently.

Free agency on the other hand..
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: the claw on May 31, 2012, 06:40:01 PM
the job is only half done a lot of signs are good but we have an opportunity to build something really special if we just bite the bullit and do what must be done.

Claw FFS get a grip!!!!! Have we not been biting the Bullet over the last 3 years?? Why do you all of a sudden think we are not going bother showing up to the draft this year??
You keep banging on about it like the 2012 draft day has been and gone! FFS man relax to the season ends then get all worked up about it!! The way your going though you will have a stroke before Draft day even gets here!
i keep going on about it because ive seen us far too often only do half a job. the proof will be in the pudding come yrs end not before.

we can all see what should happen and with what has gone on in the past we should all be carrying on about it.  building a list that may yes may scrape us into finals is not what we want. we want sustained success with premierships and i can tell you we wont get that with half the liost we have. this coming draft/ trade period is the key to long term success and i will not let anyone forget it. i apologise in advance if that peees people off.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: taztiger4 on May 31, 2012, 08:19:02 PM
We are just about last for clearances, our game style isnt based on stoppages & total clearances will be a lot less than other teams / games
Our differential , meaning us only against our opponents is up there , 3rd IIRC
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: tony_montana on May 31, 2012, 10:55:00 PM
We are just about last for clearances, our game style isnt based on stoppages & total clearances will be a lot less than other teams / games
Our differential , meaning us only against our opponents is up there , 3rd IIRC

Yep i think thats it and as some pointed out to me earlier this season, this is the stat that really counts ;)

btw very well replied by Dimma, dont accept the accolades until we're well and truly in the mix, until then flat bat it all
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: Hellenic Tiger on May 31, 2012, 11:06:13 PM
That interview with Watters smacked of worry.

Our midfield is so deep you can tag one but the others will run amok. You can't be too negative as it will impact you.  We are a real chance tomorrow.

Watters will have trouble sleeping tonight.

Dimma just letting the balls go through to the keeper. Building his innings nicely and flat batting as TM has so aptly put it. Expect a long stay at the crease boys. :thumbsup
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: one-eyed on June 01, 2012, 03:06:58 AM
St Kilda have now got their players repeating the same line in the press ....


This week, Richmond's midfield is so talented and so deep that he will head back into the midfield and find the Tiger whom coach Scott Watters feels is the most dangerous; a selection of Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin or Nathan Foley. When you throw in packbuster Shane Tuck and Shaun Grigg, it is formidable.

Jones thinks of Richmond's group as ''almost the best midfield in the competition''. It was a sentiment echoed by his coach yesterday. He also notes the Tigers are in superb form. With Jack Riewoldt posing a threat up forward, St Kilda's job is plain. ''We've got to cut the supply,'' he said.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tagging-talented-tigers-has-saint-on-the-march-20120531-1zkre.html#ixzz1wT4ZQOUS
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: tigs2011 on June 01, 2012, 10:33:31 AM
Hope our midfield smacks them silly as they gain confidence from the opposition coach saying how good we are.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: the claw on June 01, 2012, 11:06:11 AM
We are just about last for clearances, our game style isnt based on stoppages & total clearances will be a lot less than other teams / games
Our differential , meaning us only against our opponents is up there , 3rd IIRC

Yep i think thats it and as some pointed out to me earlier this season, this is the stat that really counts ;)

btw very well replied by Dimma, dont accept the accolades until we're well and truly in the mix, until then flat bat it all
agree none of us dhould accept a thing not until we actually achieve something.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: wayne on June 01, 2012, 11:32:06 AM
They are a similar midfield to the Hawks. Very one paced apart from Jack Steven.

The edge they have over the Hawks mids is that Lenny gives 110% all of the time and can lift them.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: wayne on June 01, 2012, 02:16:46 PM
There is an interview with Kevin Sheedy and the parrot on afl.com.au and Sheedy says we have the best midfield and he'd take ours over anyones. 
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: eliminator on June 01, 2012, 03:47:22 PM
Jones is a good tagger and I agree with the comments to play Trent up forward to break the tag. Jack Steven is impressive and will need to be watched. I would play Tuck on Lenny.
Title: Re: Richmond's midfield is the best in the AFL: Watters
Post by: tony_montana on June 01, 2012, 06:13:18 PM
yep tuck has gone toe to toe and comprehensively beaten Josh Kennedy and Sam Mitchell, 2 of the best in an unders, if he can curb Lennys brilliance at the stoppages we will absolutely destroy them, if Lenny dictates the tempo and they beat us at the stoppages, will be in for a tough tough contest.

Big game for Cotch, but like some have said straight to the fwd line if Jones gets on top. Have a feeling Lids is in for a big one.