One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: yellowandback on January 05, 2018, 08:20:51 PM
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The obvious question now everyone is back on Monday but it's a fair and reasonable challenge to the wider AFL community - was 2017 an aberration or are Dimma and the boys onto something repeatable?
My view is that hunger and an injury free run to our core and key position players (I'll add Benny G for flexibility and hope he can use his natural athletic gifts) will make us an serious back to back threat.
I loving the way the AFL community are almost disrespectful of our incredible final series and GF win......sometimes in life you go looking for something that's staring you right in the face the whole time.
For me, that's a once a generation goal to goal line, incredible commitment to each other, a game plan that suits our strengths and minimises our weaknesses and a generally poor spread of talent across the comp (all the young talent is at fledgling clubs, all the ageing champs at clubs past the premiership window).
We just happen to sit in the middle which is a unique opportunity is we remain as committed and can stay healthy.
What do you all think?
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Yes they can, despite winning the flag there are still doubters on the outside that we will make finals.
I have full confidence in this group, their maturity, confidence and poise under pressure was unmatched and thwy reaped the ultimate reward.
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I guarantee that we are the only telam that can get it done!
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I think the answer is yes purely because we proved in 2017 that anything is possible. But the Bulldogs in 2017 also proved that anything is possible a year after winning a flag.
I am confident about next season. If Cotchin, Martin, Riewoldt and Rance stay healthy and in the same form, then we could well move forward from 2017.
Prestia will be better with a full preseason under his belt. Guys line Graham, Broad and Townsend might develop further with another preseason and the opportunity to cement a spot in the side. And we have a number of very capable players who will be desperate to force their way into the team like Short, Bolton, Miles and Lloyd. I am really hoping Bolton shows us what he can do, he looks to have enormous potential, and Stengle fits that bill to less of an extent as well.
To top it off, we drafted two kids who could play next year in Higgins and Coleman-Jones, the later in particular who fills an important capable tall forward ruck pinch hitter need.
The question is will other teams work us out. They might, but then it is one thing to know how to stop a team, and an entirely different proposition to actually doing that. I think that if we can stick to our game plan and bring the same intensity in 2018, we are going to be a very difficult proposition because our gameplan is built on footy fundamentals. There is nothing fancy about the way we play or our set-up.
There are only two things that concern me. The main issue I have is that we didn't really get coverage for Nankervis. We have ruck options on our list, but none strike me as having the competitive streak he has, and the around the ground ability to influence the contest.
And I will really worry if Kane Cornes starts tipping us for big things.
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Like I've said before the team to win the Grand Final needs a bit of luck always with injuries and form in the lead up, that's why I was as confidant as I could be.
Anyway if we can keep our stars fit and firing and get a nice lead up to finals stuffing oath we can.
Going to be interesting watching the battle for spots this year and who can put the pressure on, gunna be great times to be a Tiger 🏆
And I've always said the mental part of it is huge, we certainly cracked that last year and they seem to be carrying that over also, good signs
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The obvious contenders are GWS and the Crows - both had a better system of ball movement which was broken down under pressure in finals.
Melbourne have some talent but the pre Christmas farce of the players wanting to abandon the training camp highlights a trust issue.
Bombers built talent into the off season but who is going to step up
Their defensive effort? They leaked goals too easily last year.
Cats suffer from the God mentality which might work in basketball and the Swans might be a threat but they look a little slow.
What the above highlights to me is that it's anyone's cup at this stage of the year but there are 3 or 4
Who should contend along with the Tigers
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The Crows are over achievers IMO. Easy to say in hindsight I realise.
I don't think they have the depth to be a genuine premiership threat. They lost Smith and McGovern prior to the GF, and on the day they had no positional flexibility. Flat track bullies for me. When they could play the game on their terms all was fine, but when they couldn't, they just fell apart.
I wouldn't discount Port Adelaide. If their defence can stand up in 2018, they can take some big steps. They have a lot of genuine midfield options and a nice mix of potent forwards, and pace around the ground. They also have a ruckman in Ryder in a similar mode to us, mobile and capable of having a big impact around the ground, especially up forward.
I personally think we have their measure because of our superb back 6, but I reckon a lot of teams can't match them.
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Absolutely we can - I think our win in '17 was eerily similar to the pies in 2010, where the pies really hit their straps in the latter part of the season as the young guys grew in confidence and realised they belonged. And like they did in 2011, I feel that in 2018 we will go to another level(Pies were awesome up to the finals and only lost to one side all year) -
belief is finally embedded and a part of our club and from what i can see, the hunger is as strong as ever - Gale mentioned the almost disrespectful surprise the media and footy public still have about our win and said that is whats driving the club to get better again this preseason and prove the footy world in 2018 that it wasnt a fluke. Unlike the pies, we dont have a rubbish coaching plan in place to impact the playing group and coaches.
Also, I dont buy the parallels with the doggies, their older players were much older than ours, hence the horrible injury toll on most of them was not a complete surprise in 2017, plus they came from the clouds to pinch it. Hindsight will eventually paint the story that we were hardened by the disappointment of losing 3 elim finals in a row, finals in 4 out of 5 years is no fluke and it really wasnt that big of a shock.
Biggest challengers will be
GWS: amazing talent but Im sceptical they can win a flag with the current setup. I've always thought they had a soft underbelly, they get bullied by teams in high pressure games, I noticed 4-5 occassions where some of their players took short steps and didnt go hard enough in the prelim.
Syd: They'll be thereabouts
I think Adel and Geel are overated - but both will be therebouts for top 4 bc of home ground advantage. Crows lost smith, cameron and lever in the offseason, hard to replace your best pressure acts player, your most metres gained player and a quality young tall. Cats looks like pox outside their midfield.
Melb have cultural issues so forget them, saints have lost too much experience.
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GWS: amazing talent but Im sceptical they can win a flag with the current setup. I've always thought they had a soft underbelly, they get bullied by teams in high pressure games, I noticed 4-5 occassions where some of their players took short steps and didnt go hard enough in the prelim.
They are just not a team, are they. Great collection of talent given to them by the AFL, but lack the cohesion of a real team. When the chips are down, they don't have the bonds that drive them forward together.
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Sure we can but once again a lot of things need to go right. No complacency and we bring that manic pressure and intensity most weeks, a strong connection between the playing group, few injuries, continued improvement amongst our younger players so we keep improving as a team and have even more tactical options up our sleeve, and those in the VFL squad playing well to keep pressure on spots in the AFL side.
The reality is some players will fall away from their 2017 form and so others will hopefully rise in their place. The 22 that won it last year won't be the same 22 that wins it this year if we are to go back-to-back.
We'll obviously have a target on our backs this year as reigning premiers but we should also have now the belief and confidence in ourselves that at our best we stand up in big games and can beat anyone and achieve the ultimate prize. As always with the Tigers, it's going to be another interesting and unpredictable ride :yep ;D.
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If Rance goes down we are no chance
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If Rance goes down we are no chance
Nank
Rance
Cotch
We need to be injury blessed
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The odds of having two years with no KPP injured have to be pretty small. Though you could argue Griffs was down last year. IMHO he wasn't best 22 anyway.
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We are chock full of talent now. We needed talls and we got some of the best available. Balta, Coleman Jones and Miller. We also have Garthwaite who is very promising. All four are 95-100kg and have the size to play pretty early on. Higgins and Naish are more than handy pick ups too. Our guns have 4-5 years left at least. We should have won the reserves premiership. Our depth is close to the best in the afl. I'm expecting a top 4 finishing. We are confident and our list is in great shape. Get a home final and we can definitely go back to back.
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Size has stuff all to do with being able to play early.
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Of course we can.
We have an injury run like we did last season, then most definitely
But we need the next wave to come through. Agree with MT, the 22 that played on GF last year arent going to be there if we make the GF in 2018.
Rrally looking forward to see how the ones who missed in 17 step up in 2018. Mrakov, C Ellis, Short, intwreated to see how they go. Looking forward to see how much Bolton, Garthwaite improve. Then there is Miles, the one that really intrigues me the most, can he get back to best 22?
Huge year coming up, massive expectations on so many different levels.
Bring it on :gotigers
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Jude Bolton way too early AFL predictions for 2018
Jude Bolton
ESPN AFL Columnist
Jan 11, 2018
After two incredible fairytale premiership wins, fans from all clubs -- well, maybe not North Melbourne, Gold Coast or Carlton supporters -- will be dreaming of experiencing the same glory in 2018. It's shaping up as another hugely even season, with as many as 14 potential finalists in my opinion.
I'm predicting an all-Sydney grand final, with the Swans no doubt driven by their horror start and finish to last season, while their 'younger brothers' across town are dripping with talent across every line, and are ready to go one better after deep September campaigns in the previous two years.
So, will your club improve, tread water or fall away next season? Here's my way-too-early predictions for each team.
RICHMOND
Pinch yourselves Tigers fans, not since 1981 have you started a season as the 'reigning premiers'.
After what was a dream run, Damien Hardwick now has a list that is cohesive and evenly poised to press again. On the back of strong front half pressure and leadership they unlocked what was missing to dominate throughout September and deliver big time.
Can they maintain the rage and deal with newfound pressure? A huge membership base has awoken - this is going to be fun to watch!
http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/22011329/jude-bolton-way-too-early-afl-predictions-2018
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Preseason results mean nothing at the end of the day but having said that today was most pleasing because we showed no signs of a premiership hangover. No resting on our 2017 laurels. We came to play despite it only being a preseason game and with nothing to have to prove.
A long way to go with the real stuff still 4 weeks away before it starts but today was the first little box ticked.
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Once again only preseason but 2 wins by 157 points combined says no sign of a hangover going into round 1. The key is not getting ahead of ourselves. Noticed Dimma post-game was critical of a number of things from last night's win in spite of the 70 point margin. He was right (we lairised in the last 15 mins of that 3rd qtr) but clearly he is keeping everyone's feet firmly on the ground.
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Once again only preseason but 2 wins by 157 points combined says no sign of a hangover going into round 1. The key is not getting ahead of ourselves. Noticed Dimma post-game was critical of a number of things from last night's win in spite of the 70 point margin. He was right (we lairised in the last 15 mins of that 3rd qtr) but clearly he is keeping everyone's feet firmly on the ground.
We actually didn't play that well when we had ball in hand but gee we work hard off the ball which augers well - particularly when teams turn over the footy.
Great to see our scoring is well up this year, missed another 4 or 5 sodas again last night.
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I think the video below accurately refects Richmond compared to the rest of the competition. Simply playing at another level . The only question is who will be our unlucky opponent we destroy in the grand final.
https://youtu.be/EWOIf0_tCnk
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Richmond's record since losing in Geelong in R21 last year (including finals and JLT games):
7 wins
0 losses
210.9%
Av points for: 119
Av points against: 56
https://twitter.com/al_superfooty
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According to the AFL website we have already done it ;D.
Jack Riewoldt creates another iconic moment at the MCG after Richmond's 2018 premiership.
(http://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/Images/4_OJ190917CS0770.JPG)
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-13/fan-survey-australias-best-footy-stadium
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It's gonna be tough.
I was confident at the beginning of the season.
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The real contenders always make their move and click into gear in the second half of the season (after the bye). You want to be peaking in late-August and September.
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I am worried about the back end of this year but think it's paranoia
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Wonders will never cease! Barrett actually made a positive comment about us in his 'Sliding Doors' column today:
IF ... you want perspective on the Tigers’ three losses from 12 games ...
THEN ... at the same stage last year they had lost five. The premiership defence project going as well as it could be.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-15/sliding-doors-round-13
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Back-to-back premierships a feasibility rather than fantasy
Tyler Lewis
theRoar.com.au
23 June 2018
It has become apparent at the midway point of the 2018 home-and-away season that Richmond are building a supremacy among others in the AFL.
The Richmond side are sitting pretty coming into their bye weekend with ten wins and three losses, with a colossus of a percentage of 135.01 per cent (six per cent more than second), exhibiting they still have the hunger and firepower to lift the cup again, and to achieve back-to-back flags for their first time since 1974.
The Tigers are sitting in better shape than this time last year, have picked up enough talent upon their previous rebuilding phases, and are on their way to breaking the MCG consecutive games-won record. Most importantly are in form.
This Richmond side has what it takes to build an all-time dynasty, their game style that entails immense amounts of pressure of the ball carrier and tackles inside 50 in which can be achieved in any type of weather conditions.
With three out of the top ten leaders for tackles inside 50, no defender feels comfortable with procession in Richmond’s forward half. The Tigers didn’t sit on top of the ladder at the conclusion of any round in 2017, ultimately exhibiting they are still improving, which should be frightening for 17 other coaches.
Versatile midfield/forward Josh Caddy is in career-best form, in many mid year all Australian teams for his ability to go forward and be an option in the air (28 goals) but still win big bodied clearances in the middle.
Shane Edwards also in career best form, bound to influence any contest he enters and is leading the goal assists for the league by a country mile. If Richmond finish in the top two of the AFL ladder at the end of the home-and-away season they are assured a home qualifying final with 90,000+ die hard fans barracking passionately for their side.
With their current run of 16 consecutive wins at the MCG and in their eight wins their this year scoring under 100 points only on one occasion, it is difficult to see the yellow and black losing at the home of football.
With the top four looking likely to be 2/4 interstate teams in whom haven’t got the best history at the MCG, the expectation for Damian Hardwick’s men should to be involved on the last Saturday in September at the least.
The hunger is most certainly still their within the Tigers players, mixed with young talent, this is a perfect recipe for a long stint at the top end of the ladder. Daniel Rioli upon return only compiled a 12-disposal game but seemed to be a pivotal player in the big win against top four hopeful Geelong.
Rioli laid eight tackles, five score involvements and kicked the final goal of the game to secure the win against a desperate Geelong. Rioli’s final goal begun on the broadcast wing soccering the ball forward and the laying a huge tackle inside 50 being rewarded with the free kick.
This run of play demonstrated the hunger that he has to be apart of this side. In his first AFL game since a broken foot on grand final day Rioli could have easily let the ball trickle out of bounce and regain his breath, however impressed all onlookers with his repeat efforts and looked to run himself into the ground grasping for air lining up for goal.
The depth of the tigers is extensive with many VFL players putting their hand up to be apart of the premiership favourites. Upon being dropped this week after a poor game against Port Adelaide, 21-year-old key forward Callum Moore booted five straight in his VFL return, including one of the goals of the year.
Many small forwards blessed with speed are willing and ready to slot back into the side at any given moment, Tyson Stengel is the VFL sides leading goal kicker with 17 majors from ten games and has been able to demonstrate consistency of football at a high standard, along with Shai Bolton who has shown he is a ground ball machine but can also fly for a mark unlike anyone his size in the seconds this year.
Many will always try to dispute great teams to try and bring them back down to mortality, for Richmond their only flaw this year has been the 0-3 run interstate against Adelaide, West Coast and Port Adelaide.
However for coach Damien Hardwick this is no issue, only travelling interstate two more times this year and another six games at the MCG a top two spot is almost a guarantee. The Tigers are playing their best footy while receiving no help from the umpires, down a whopping -70 free kicks this season in the free kick differential, 30 less than 17th placed GWS, the tigers are playing a generational brand of football without any easy free kicks to help them along.
Hardwick has been through it all in his nine seasons at the helm, his job being questioned after every loss or poor performance, but now has the luxury of coaching this side each week and has the chance to win his second Jock McHale medal in as many years.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/06/23/back-back-premierships-feasibility-rather-fantasy/
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I like this Lewis fellow.
This youngster could be the next Mike Sheahan.
Keep up the good journalism Tyler :thumbsup
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Jeez...you'd want him to better than ol' four eyes.... :shh