One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on March 03, 2008, 04:37:34 AM
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Good start critical for Tigers
Mike Sheahan | March 02, 2008 | Herald-Sun
EVEN allowing for their reputation for turning ugly, Richmond supporters have excelled themselves this year.
At roughly 9.30 on the night of February 15, 34 days before the start of the home-and-away competition, the bulk of the yellow and black army had hoisted the white flag.
The first-round NAB Cup loss to St Kilda at Telstra Dome sparked another bout of verbal assaults on players, coaches and officials, and several from the recent past.
Yes, it was a poor performance from a team much closer to full strength than the Saints were that night, but it also was a glorified practice match.
The Tigers should have done better, of course. They were outplayed, outclassed; they looked inept.
Yet, history tells us to beware of pre-season form.
I don't know whether it's stubbornness or insight, but I am keeping the faith: I'm tipping the Tigers to make big improvement this year.
OK, that's hardly adventurous given they finished last in 2007, with just three wins (and a draw), but, look hard enough, and you will discover grounds for optimism.
Troy Simmonds and Will Thursfield are back in working order; Jordan McMahon and Mitch Morton are two handy arrivals; and Nathan Brown and Chris Newman both will be better for the work they did last year and the confidence gained after their horrific leg injuries.
Unlike others, I retain faith in early draft selections Brett Deledio and Richard Tambling.
Young players are marked far too hard in the modern game, with assessments set in stone on relative babies.
Deledio doesn't turn 21 until mid-April, Tambling, lured out of the Northern Territory at 18, turned 21 in September.
Chris Judd and a couple of others have made life difficult for young players. The reality is draftees deserve five seasons and 70-80 games before a fair assessment of their worth.
While it's fair to say Richmond doesn't look exciting on paper, confidence is an amazing thing in sport.
Who knows what might unfold if the Tigers win their first two games, maybe even three?
They start with Carlton, with Judd either not playing or playing probably no more than 50 minutes. No better time to get the Blues.
Then they have a 10-day break before facing North Melbourne, with the Roos coming off a six-day break.
Then it's Collingwood, and, for some reason, the Tigers save their best for Collingwood.
Three games at the MCG, three possible wins. Wouldn't that breathe some life into Punt Rd.
Except for No. 1 draftee Trent Cotchin, Richmond has been injury-free.
That's a huge plus.
In Round 1 last year, the absentees included Brown, Simmonds, Thursfield and Mark Coughlan. All are available and fit this time.
The quartet produced just 36 games last year, and none was fully fit at any point.
Terry Wallace plans to play Deledio forward. To try to turn him into a Brad Johnson – the fast-leading, strong-marking, straight-kicking spearhead.
Johnson is a star, but Deledio has similar physical attributes.
Believe it or not, he is 7cm taller than Johnson and probably an even better kick for goal.
I hope Wallace keeps the faith with Deledio. Not much point persisting with Matthew Richardson as the solitary target in the forward line.
Richo has won the Richmond goalkicking in 11 of the past 12 years, a phenomenal record, yet the Tigers have played finals only once in that time. We say let him run free up the ground and create an alternative avenue to goal in the process.
Hopefully, Wallace will have his players adopt a more direct approach this year.
Give Richardson, Deledio, perhaps Graham Polak and maybe even Jack Riewoldt the chance to go one-on-one in marking contests.
Encourage the midfielders and half-backs to adopt the Nathan Foley philosophy of running hard and straight.
While there is optimism within the camp, the expectation is 2009 will be the year of major improvement.
Unfortunately for Wallace and his support team, and Greg Miller and the Gary March administration, patience is almost exhausted among the supporter group.
The past three years have produced just 24 wins, with a best finish of ninth (11 wins) in 2006.
The football electorate doesn't embrace five-year plans. Probably hasn't since Ron Barassi's ill-fated return to Melbourne in 1981, when the Demons lost ground over the five-year term.
No, Richmond's improvement must start immediately.
Ten wins should be the target, eight would be acceptable, any return of less than six would be fatal.
I suspect we shall know which way they're heading after three rounds. They need two wins from that bracket.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23306855-19742,00.html
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Not a bad preview from Sheahan although in typical Mike form it's nothing we didn't know already. 8 wins would be a fair result.
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Is Mike a Tiger supporter?
Every time he writes a season preview he always has a 'feeling' we might surprise.
in regards to keeping the faith with Deledio and Tambling, I don't think many Richmond supporters would be concerned with Deledio's progress.
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As a Richmond supporter if you had just read the first two paragraphs and the last two you would be starting to get a bit hot under the collar. >:(
The rest of the article though shows that he does have some knowledge and hope in the progress of the side.
The sure sure about the targets. All they do is give the media a target to when they can go after TW and the team - 'If the Tigers don't reach [insert media created target] then they have failed!'
I will be happy with a finish on the bottom again as long as I continue to see progress in the players and game plan.
Stripes
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I hope he is Right 3 wins to start the season would be fantastic, but will it be realistic? we will have to wait and see. :pray
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Carl, Roos and Pies first up all the 'G. So if we beat the blues then hopefully we can generate some momentum. The next 5 weeks after that are bloody tough though with Freo away, Dogs at the Dome, Haw, Saints and Pussies :-\.
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I never thought I'd type these words....
But a fairly balanced review of the Tigers by Mike. No hysterics just a stable review of what we've got and where we are at IMO
He is right on the money about 1 thing momentum is the key, a couple of early wins and just don't know what might happen :thumbsup
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I never thought I'd type these words....
But a fairly balanced review of the Tigers by Mike. No hysterics just a stable review of what we've got and where we are at IMO
He is right on the money about 1 thing momentum is the key, a couple of early wins and just don't know what might happen :thumbsup
A couple of early losses and the joint will self explode
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A couple of early losses and the joint will self explode
And a couple of early wins and some people may self implode :rollin
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I never thought I'd type these words....
But a fairly balanced review of the Tigers by Mike. No hysterics just a stable review of what we've got and where we are at IMO
He is right on the money about 1 thing momentum is the key, a couple of early wins and just don't know what might happen :thumbsup
He does the same thing every year - it sells papers. Write with optimism at the start of the year and sell a few extra papers - especially on the back of a poor year. Then the age will take the opposing view - negative sells as many papers as positive leaving us poor supporters totally confused and having bought 2 papers instead of one.
For what its worth, the people who offer up opinions on these fan sites - particularly those who go to the effort of attending training/practice matches and then do reviews afterward - offer a better balance and far more insight than a fat, lazy chain smoking "journo" who taps out the same crap each year with a different date at the top of the page. I would like to see a poll of where these punters see the Tigers finishing this year and I'll bet they are all fairly similar. That will be where we finish this year. Thats my 2cents, I'm Kent Brockman
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A couple of early losses and the joint will self explode
And a couple of early wins and some people may self implode :rollin
Jackstar
What would have to happen this year for you to write an apology online to TW.
???
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A couple of early losses and the joint will self explode
And a couple of early wins and some people may self implode :rollin
Jackstar
What would have to happen this year for you to write an apology online to TW.
???
65
There are 3 things for certain in life.
1/The sun will come up in the morning and go down at night
2/You will pay taxes
3/ And I wont be writing any apology online or in person to Terry Wallace.
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And I reckon Mike Sheahan should be worrying about his son Tony getting the stuff from 7 :shh,
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I liked it, it gave me a good feeling, like the Tigers can go well this year. As he says, a couple of early wins and you never know. Momentum is a massive thing, if we can shake that losing 'disease' and get a good running game going we can have a good year.
He does the same thing every year - it sells papers. Write with optimism at the start of the year and sell a few extra papers
I know that y&b, but I will pay $1.10 to make me feel good about the Tiges, especially in March, it's usually hard to find a positive article about us during the year :gotigers
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A couple of early losses and the joint will self explode
And a couple of early wins and some people may self implode :rollin
;D
Yep they'll be sitting in the stands with arms crossed and being very quiet :lol.
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A couple of early losses and the joint will self explode
And a couple of early wins and some people may self implode :rollin
Jackstar
What would have to happen this year for you to write an apology online to TW.
???
lol. I doubt getting an apology from Jackstar would be terribly high up on TW's list of wants or needs. :rollin
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A couple of early losses and the joint will self explode
And a couple of early wins and some people may self implode :rollin
both statements are true.
nothing will please as more than to see us fight and win all 3 but i mean do u blame us for being negative toward this team when they are being lead by queen johnson
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There's video of Mike Sheahan and Mark Stevens discussing Richmond on the Herald-Sun footy site:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl
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And I reckon Mike Sheahan should be worrying about his son Tony getting the stuff from 7 :shh,
thats what happens when you go reporting something before it actually occurs, perhaps he needed to get advice from his father or better still dennis commeti.
silly boy...
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And I reckon Mike Sheahan should be worrying about his son Tony getting the stuff from 7 :shh,
thats what happens when you go reporting something before it actually occurs, perhaps he needed to get advice from his father or better still dennis commeti.
silly boy...
If he had copied his father he would be reporting something that the public already knew lol.
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And I reckon Mike Sheahan should be worrying about his son Tony getting the stuff from 7 :shh,
thats what happens when you go reporting something before it actually occurs, perhaps he needed to get advice from his father or better still dennis commeti.
silly boy...
WRONG. he reported correctly and got the stuff for it, how can you get the stuff for telling the truth :banghead
That good reporting I reckon.
Mail is that Commetti wanted to do it himself on 3AW.
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And I reckon Mike Sheahan should be worrying about his son Tony getting the stuff from 7 :shh,
thats what happens when you go reporting something before it actually occurs, perhaps he needed to get advice from his father or better still dennis commeti.
silly boy...
WRONG. he reported correctly and got the stuff for it, how can you get the stuff for telling the truth :banghead
That good reporting I reckon.
Mail is that Commetti wanted to do it himself on 3AW.
I think Im missing half this story. What are we talking about here?
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WRONG. he reported correctly and got the stuff for it, how can you get the stuff for telling the truth :banghead
That good reporting I reckon.
Mail is that Commetti wanted to do it himself on 3AW.
If the pen hasn't been put on the paper it aint a deal ;D
But whatever - was still not a smart career move by Sheahan Jnr. You get the stuff when you run with story about one of your own networks biggest names and don't check with said name first
Not smart
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Mike's blog has some comments from Tiger supporters about his preview:
I also think that the Tigers will be big improvers this year. People forget how decimated by injury the Tigers were last year and with McMahon helping out with better delivery down back, Coughlan back from a knee (B&F only 3 years ago lets not forget), Simmonds looking like he is in the best shape of his life with the additional training (he runs the 20 meter sprint just .2 of a second behind Deledio now), Morton will add a bit of bulk to the midfield and down forward and then there is Trent Cotchin who most feel will step straight in to the senior side. Lets not forget how good joel Selwood was last year and supposedly Cotchin is better.
I look at this, pre season form (Dont forget, the saints will probably win the NAB cup) and the end of last year (Beating the pies & the bombers and being in winning positions against the Saints & Eagles) and I think the playing group that richmond have are certain to challenge for a spot in the Top eight. I dont think they would have a big impact in the finals if they made it, but I do think that Terry Wallace has his team pushing in the right direction and could be serious contenders come 2009.
Mike, like all other rfc members,it seems a case of the old and nothing new ie SKILL,SKILL,SKILL.
Cant hit leading players by foot or hand,pressure or no pressure.Ithink that our so call skills coach should take responsbility and quit. IE Brian Royal.Our list is getting better, so its wait and see time as usuall.But as a passoinate tiger man the last ten years has been as bad as it gets. terry wallace wont last 2 weeks if we lose the first game, the media will see to that.Then what start again not on my life.
let the TIGER ROAR LOUD AND PROUD IN 08 AND THEN we tiger supporters can have the last laugh for once.
Sheahan,
What would you know about Richmond supporters?
Hoisted the white flag?… You are a fool.
Beware the wounded Tiger, EAT ‘EM ALIVE!
http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/mikesheahan/index.php/heraldsun/comments/good_start_critical_for_tigers/#commentsmore