One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on July 24, 2013, 11:33:31 AM
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Tiger Army: Richmond is Roaring
By Jackson Clark AFL
The Marshall Town
July 24, 2013
The Tiger Army is roaring and for good reason – the Richmond Football Club is sitting with a win-loss record of 11-5 as we enter the latter end of the season. The finals-starved football club can sense September within its reach for what would be the first time in over a decade and only the third time in 30 years.
A number of players are having career best seasons at Tigerland. Daniel Jackson is having a career best season and along with Brett Deledio would be close to leading the best and fairest at this stage of the year. Dustin Martin is finishing out games and looks to have matured as a footballer under the guidance of former Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams. Shane Edwards has been playing through the midfield more this season and along with the return of Nathan Foley, the Tigers’ midfield depth has been bolstered. Brandon Ellis has come on in leaps and bounds this season while Alex Rance and Troy Chaplin have kept the Tiger backline stable despite the absence of young gun Dylan Grimes.
The form of newly appointed captain Trent Cotchin has been one of the talking points this season. The reigning Jack Dyer medalist started the season with terrific performances in the opening three wins against Carlton, St Kilda and Western Bulldogs. However he appeared to be struggling with a knee injury he sustained in the Tigers’ one-point loss to Fremantle in Round 5. His statistics have been down on last season’s form, which saw him emerge as one of the best young players in the competition and rank equal second in the Brownlow.
Richmond will be hoping for their star player to recapture his 2012 form sometime between now and September and early indications from the Fremantle game on the weekend suggest that he will not disappoint Tigers fans.
Although the Tigers are almost considered certainties to make the finals by most betting agencies, it is not a forgone conclusion. The side’s last couple of games has been less than impressive with a big loss against North Melbourne followed by a narrow win over bogey side Gold Coast.
The win over a severely undermanned Fremantle outfit on the weekend showed signs of the football that the Tigers can produce however the major test will be the next two weeks. Sydney and Hawthorn await the Tigers – the two side’s that faced off in last year’s grand final.
Richmond has an interesting last month of football as they will go in as favourites against Brisbane and Greater Western Sydney, but have important matches against Carlton and Essendon.
In what is a competitive season, it is looking as though 13 wins will be the benchmark in order to qualify for the finals. Time and time again, frustrated Richmond supporters have been let down by false hope from their club. However there is a different feel to the Tigers this year. As long as the team wins the games they should win, the Tigers should experience finals football in 2013. And one thing is for sure, their fans will sure let everyone know about it.
http://www.themarshalltown.com/zine/2013/07/24/tiger-army-richmond-is-roaring/
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I think the greatest thing about this season is the evenness of the teams performance. Over the last couple of years when we won it was one the back of outstanding individual performances by Jack, Dusty, Cotch, Lids or the like. This year it has become increasingly difficult to pick a standout player. I believe this is wonderful sign.
We are so much more unpredictable now days and far more difficult to shut down. Tag Lids out of the game - there are others that will stand up and fill his role. Blanket Jack in the forwardline - he will push up the ground allowing more space for our midfielders and other forwards to work into. Put extra players back in defence - throw Dusty, Cotch or Lids forward and make them accountable and increase our forward pressure when the ball hits the ground.
For years the responsibility of the side was left to too few but with the list maturing, young talent improving and our overall depth increasing with clever free agency recruitment - we have come a long way.
So when I see people bemoaning Lids, Jacks or Cotch's reduced output this year yet we're still winning - I am happy because it means we are now a finals team. :gotigers
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I am happy because it means we are now a finals team. :gotigers
Don't mean to be a smart you know whatski
But sorry Stripes but I cannot agree with your assertion that "we are now a finals team"
We haven't made finals yet, we are close but we are still not guaranteed a spot so until we have that guarantee and locked in enough wins....and I've always said it needs to be 13 wins... well.......
We are getting closer to being a finals team ;D
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Would love to beat Sydney. I reckon we can do it and open up our top 4 chances
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I am happy because it means we are now a finals team. :gotigers
Don't mean to be a smart you know whatski
But sorry Stripes but I cannot agree with your assertion that "we are now a finals team"
We haven't made finals yet, we are close but we are still not guaranteed a spot so until we have that guarantee and locked in enough wins....and I've always said it needs to be 13 wins... well.......
We are getting closer to being a finals team ;D
if we dont make finals now we know who jinxed us lol
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I am happy because it means we are now a finals team. :gotigers
Don't mean to be a smart you know whatski
But sorry Stripes but I cannot agree with your assertion that "we are now a finals team"
We haven't made finals yet, we are close but we are still not guaranteed a spot so until we have that guarantee and locked in enough wins....and I've always said it needs to be 13 wins... well.......
We are getting closer to being a finals team ;D
if we dont make finals now we know who jinxed us lol
Maybe WAT :shh
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I am happy because it means we are now a finals team. :gotigers
Don't mean to be a smart you know whatski
But sorry Stripes but I cannot agree with your assertion that "we are now a finals team"
We haven't made finals yet, we are close but we are still not guaranteed a spot so until we have that guarantee and locked in enough wins....and I've always said it needs to be 13 wins... well.......
We are getting closer to being a finals team ;D
I disagree WP. I say we are a finals team now and we will prove it to skeptics like yourself very soon when it becomes a mathematical certainty. It would take a minor disaster now and unless you get your kicks out of arguing semantics I'm sure you'll agree we are playing like a finals team now. ;D
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I'm sure you'll agree we are playing like a finals team now. ;D
Let's be honest it depends on the week :thumbsup
Last week against Freo, yep, week before against the Suns, nope and the week before that against N0rt, definitely not
And no I don't like arguing semantics so no I don't get my kicks out of it.
i'm just a realist rather than a sceptic ;D
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I've always said it needs to be 13 wins... well.......
12 will be enough this year.
Adelaide, Bris, West Coast would need to go 6-0 to reach 13, NOT HAPPENING.
So that leaves 9 teams that can make it to 13.
Carlton are currently 8-8. So they need to go 5-1.
Port Adelaide are currently 9-7. So they need to go 4-2.
And they play each other in the last round.
Port also have Freo away, Geelong away and a showdown with Adelaide.
Find it hard to imagine how the team that finishes 9th will end up with 13 wins. 12 with decent % will be fine.
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Find it hard to imagine how the team that finishes 9th will end up with 13 wins. 12 with decent % will be fine.
Damo, your final comment is the reason why I say 13 is the magic number.
I don't want % to come into it. 12 wins means that % ends up playing a part; so directly or indirectly you are relying on others. Teams with softer draws (eg those who've played GWS twice) get a free hit % wise
IMV 13 wins means that % doesn't come into it, you've got there without relying on others around you
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I'm sure you'll agree we are playing like a finals team now. ;D
Let's be honest it depends on the week :thumbsup
Last week against Freo, yep, week before against the Suns, nope and the week before that against N0rt, definitely not
And no I don't like arguing semantics so no I don't get my kicks out of it.
i'm just a realist rather than a sceptic ;D
So using that theory, going on last weeks performances, Geelong and Collingwood are not finals teams.
My point was that we are now a team, with the depth and talent, that is now more than strong enough to have earned out current place on the ladder and probable position in the final series. We could never have claimed that in the recent past. All teams have on and off weeks but if you can win ugly when you are not performing at your best - you are a good side.
I'm excited about our team this year and I feel I'm being a realist when I say we will have our first probable finals stint in 2013 in more than a decade of pain.
Let's enjoy the ride rather than prepare ourselves for any improbably accident. :dogdance
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So using that theory, going on last weeks performances, Geelong and Collingwood are not finals teams.
No, massive difference they are proven finals teams. Why? Because they've have been and in Geelong's case in 2013 continue to be consistently in the finals, year after year. We are not in a postion to make such a claim. But gee I am looking forward to when we are.
I ask you this based on your theory are N0rt Melbourne a "finals team" or how about Adelaide? Both played finals last year but are unlikely to make it this year. So how do we classify them?
We haven't been in the finals for 12 years, and as it stands right at the moment based solely on wins & losses we are not guaranteed finals this season so I just cannot say we are a "finals team"
And when we do make the finals IMV we will still wont be a "finals team" rather we will be a team in the finals. Call it semantics if you like :thumbsup it's just how I see it
My point was that we are now a team, with the depth and talent, that is now more than strong enough to have earned out current place on the ladder and probable position in the final series.
Exactly my point stripes, we are currently a "probable" rather than a definite
I'm excited about our team this year and I feel I'm being a realist when I say we will have our first probable finals stint in 2013 in more than a decade of pain.
I am exicted too even it is laced with trepidation. I think we have improved markedly in alot of areas in 2013 and that is no doubt exciting but I still think we are a fair way off the best 3 in the competition (though that could change over the next 2 weeks).
Let's enjoy the ride rather than prepare ourselves for any improbably accident. :dogdance
Have been enjoying the ride and will conitue to do so but also have the airbags ready just in case :thumbsup
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So Geolong and Collingwood are proven finals contenders so therefore we forget their erratic preformances this year but remember ours?! I believe, right at this moment, we are 3 games clear in the eight and earned our position through as consistent of performance as any of the other teams in there atm. We are as much a 'finals team' this year, as we speak, as any other team based on our win/loss ratio and performance against the rest of the competition.
You can argue that you won't be counting your chicken just yet until it is a certainty but I believe we have proven we are now a team that not only deserves to be playing finals but has proven it.
You say that even when we make the finals we won't be a finals team in yours eyes. Well when will we be? When Cotch is holding the cup? I say celebrate the moment because, hell, life is a roller coaster and if you are always preparing for the worst you'll never enjoy the best.
We are a final team. Now we just have to get that last game to prove it to those scarred Tigers supporters refusing to let themselves possible get hurt again. Believe WP, Believe :thumbsup
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I can't see any other scenario where Richmond doesn't play finals in 2013
I see a finals showdown with Collingwood in our immediate future...
However before you put the champagne on ice it is worth noting Essendon were 11-5 last year and missed out .
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So Geolong and Collingwood are proven finals contenders so therefore we forget their erratic preformances this year but remember ours?! I believe, right at this moment, we are 3 games clear in the eight and earned our position through as consistent of performance as any of the other teams in there atm. We are as much a 'finals team' this year, as we speak, as any other team based on our win/loss ratio and performance against the rest of the competition.
I reckon teams that have consistently made finals, stood up in the crunch games consistently over a period of time get excused rightly for the odd poor performance. I am not disputing for one minute that both those teams played badly last week but those sort of performances are the exception rather than the rule
How many "shockers" have they had over the last 5-7 years. When the acid has been really on and they needed to win important big games have they really failed? How many have we had in not the last 5-7 years but just the last 2 and succeeded?
Yes we've been consistent in our wins and our current ladder positions reflects it but we've also been very consistent in our losses and that's my concern. Hence, why I keep banging on about us needing 13 wins. One more heavy loss and our % takes a battering. Biggest concern for me this year with Richmond hasn't been who we have lost to but the margin in the losses. Outside the Freo game, our losses have been heavier this year against teams above us than last year.
You can argue that you won't be counting your chicken just yet until it is a certainty but I believe we have proven we are now a team that not only deserves to be playing finals but has proven it.
Fair call and you are correct until it's guaranteed no chickens will be counted
You say that even when we make the finals we won't be a finals team in yours eyes. Well when will we be? When Cotch is holding the cup? I say celebrate the moment because, hell, life is a roller coaster and if you are always preparing for the worst you'll never enjoy the best.
I thought I explained that and I noticed you didn't answer my question about N0rt & Adelaide. One year in the finals and now about to miss, don't think we can refer to them as "finals teams". ;D
But to answer your question I will see us as a "finals team" we are playing in September year after year. maybe I should have added the word Consistent
We play finals this year it will be fantastic but it would feel hollow if we back it up with missing out in 2014. However, we do it now and then back it up and play finals again 2014 and then yeah we can claim to be a finals team
Believe me no one will be celebrating more than me once we are guaranteed finals but until that point I will keep doing what I've been doing all this season and that's go to the games, enjoy watching the team play and see the improvement
We are a final team. Now we just have to get that last game to prove it to those scarred Tigers supporters refusing to let themselves possible get hurt again. Believe WP, Believe :thumbsup
We need to get those 2 games ;)
Great clubs play finals consistently and are Finals teams. That's what I want Richmond to be, it all I've ever wanted for Richmond. Hopefully in a few weeks time we will be on our way
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I think the biggest point of conjecture here is what you believe constitutes a 'finals team' to be and what I do. I believe you are a finals team if you have proven it through performance and deed over a season. Excuse if I'm wrong here, but you seem to believe that a 'finals team' is a team who has played finals over many years. I would argue that is a 'Premiership Contender', as it seems you typically need to be consistently in the finals to win a flag. We're not there yet.
I reckon teams that have consistently made finals, stood up in the crunch games consistently over a period of time get excused rightly for the odd poor performance. I am not disputing for one minute that both those teams played badly last week but those sort of performances are the exception rather than the rule
How many "shockers" have they had over the last 5-7 years. When the acid has been really on and they needed to win important big games have they really failed? How many have we had in not the last 5-7 years but just the last 2 and succeeded?
So teams should get bonus point to go to the ladder for previous years successes? What about a ladder over three years instead on one? Every year is different and you get nothing, like North and Adelaide have found out, from previous years successes. If you play finals you have earned it and right at this moment we are as much a finals team based on our 2013 performance as Collingwood or any of the other teams in the 8.
Yes we've been consistent in our wins and our current ladder positions reflects it but we've also been very consistent in our losses and that's my concern. Hence, why I keep banging on about us needing 13 wins. One more heavy loss and our % takes a battering. Biggest concern for me this year with Richmond hasn't been who we have lost to but the margin in the losses. Outside the Freo game, our losses have been heavier this year against teams above us than last year.
Consistent in our losses :huh We have won 11 games and only lost 5. We have been very inconsistent if you ask me in this manner. The margin of our losses has been larger this year but I believe we have learned from them (ie the North loss set us up for the last two weeks of contested/defensive football). This is something we didn't do last year.
I thought I explained that and I noticed you didn't answer my question about N0rt & Adelaide. One year in the finals and now about to miss, don't think we can refer to them as "finals teams". ;D
This year they are not a finals team as we stand. They haven't earned it. We are very close to saying we undeniably have. You are judged on the present and the season that is not on the successes of the past. Other than in supporters and the medias mind past wins are just history.
But to answer your question I will see us as a "finals team" we are playing in September year after year. maybe I should have added the word Consistent
Everything we have done since Gale and Hardwick has walked through the door has been consistent. They have administered consistently, they have recruited consistently, they have developed consistently, they have generated revenue consistently, they have sold the message of unity consistently. This rebuild has not taken any short cuts and now we are reaching finals there is no reason why consistent appearances doesn't follow.
We play finals this year it will be fantastic but it would feel hollow if we back it up with missing out in 2014. However, we do it now and then back it up and play finals again 2014 and then yeah we can claim to be a finals team
I would feel the same but see above in terms of my clarification of what I believe is a 'finals team'.
Believe me no one will be celebrating more than me once we are guaranteed finals but until that point I will keep doing what I've been doing all this season and that's go to the games, enjoy watching the team play and see the improvement
We need to get those 2 games ;)
Great clubs play finals consistently and are Finals teams. That's what I want Richmond to be, it all I've ever wanted for Richmond. Hopefully in a few weeks time we will be on our way
Here we agree WP....but I do think we can make it with 12 wins rather than 13. :P Hopefully we get over 13 and we never find out if I was right or wrong. :cheers
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Consistent in our losses :huh We have won 11 games and only lost 5. We have been very inconsistent if you ask me in this manner. The margin of our losses has been larger this year but I believe we have learned from them (ie the North loss set us up for the last two weeks of contested/defensive football). This is something we didn't do last year.
By consistent in our losses I am referring to the margin. Outside the Freo game the losing margins have been heavier this season. When we've lost (outside Freo) the margins have been around the 5 goal or greater mark. We haven't had the close losses like we did last year. I will admit it's been for me the disappointing part of our year, the losing margin.
Losing chunks of % when a finals spot could be determined by 12 wins & % well it's something you cannot afford.
Just another reason why I want 13 wins. It takes away the need to worry about % ;D
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Consistent in our losses :huh We have won 11 games and only lost 5. We have been very inconsistent if you ask me in this manner. The margin of our losses has been larger this year but I believe we have learned from them (ie the North loss set us up for the last two weeks of contested/defensive football). This is something we didn't do last year.
By consistent in our losses I am referring to the margin. Outside the Freo game the losing margins have been heavier this season. When we've lost (outside Freo) the margins have been around the 5 goal or greater mark. We haven't had the close losses like we did last year. I will admit it's been for me the disappointing part of our year, the losing margin.
Losing chunks of % when a finals spot could be determined by 12 wins & % well it's something you cannot afford.
Just another reason why I want 13 wins. It takes away the need to worry about % ;D
Fair call. I'm hoping for 14+ wins to put it out of question. Hopefully there is no blowouts over the next two weeks as the heavy weight teams look for revenge from last years losses and prove a point to the rest of the competition.
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Would love to beat Sydney. I reckon we can do it and open up our top 4 chances
Sadly we're no chance of top 4. Freo and Sydney have a very easy run home.
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Sydney have a very easy run home.
What are you trying to say >:(
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Sydney have a very easy run home.
What are you trying to say >:(
Other than this week. ;D
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Consistent in our losses :huh We have won 11 games and only lost 5. We have been very inconsistent if you ask me in this manner. The margin of our losses has been larger this year but I believe we have learned from them (ie the North loss set us up for the last two weeks of contested/defensive football). This is something we didn't do last year.
By consistent in our losses I am referring to the margin. Outside the Freo game the losing margins have been heavier this season. When we've lost (outside Freo) the margins have been around the 5 goal or greater mark. We haven't had the close losses like we did last year. I will admit it's been for me the disappointing part of our year, the losing margin.
Losing chunks of % when a finals spot could be determined by 12 wins & % well it's something you cannot afford.
Just another reason why I want 13 wins. It takes away the need to worry about % ;D
we're home and hosed willy :thumbsup don't know why youre stressing, we'd need to lose everygame from here to not make it and we have a better percentage than all the sides below us. We'll end up with 14-15 wins
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we're home and hosed willy :thumbsup don't know why youre stressing, we'd need to lose everygame from here to not make it and we have a better percentage than all the sides below us. We'll end up with 14-15 wins
I'm many things t_m but stressed isnt one of them. Don't believe in stress. Stress is incredibly over rated IMHO :laugh: