One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on January 23, 2023, 04:39:32 PM
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Nothing official yet on the AFL's Community Series, but @StevoMedia tells us you can lock in Melb v Rich on Sat March 4 as one of the games. Only one round of praccy games ahead of the real stuff.
https://twitter.com/RSN927/status/1617351617078243334
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Richmond will face Melbourne in an official practice match, to be held at Casey Fields on Saturday, March 4 from 4.10pm.
The match will be shown live on Foxsports and Kayo.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1265540/
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Fans will have free entry to all practice matches.
Richmond's squad for the official practice match team will be released at 5pm EDT the day prior to the match.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1265540/
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Teague expected Bolton to face Melbourne at Casey Fields next Saturday for the Tigers’ final practice match, after missing the game against North as he attended a funeral, while Lynch, Liam Baker (appendix) and Jack Graham could line up as well.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-s-sharp-new-dynamic-duo-sheezel-stars-for-north-20230224-p5cnb7.html
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Source: HeraldSun paper version last week
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Our VFL side is playing the curtain-raiser prior to the AFL game. It starts at 12pm for those going on Saturday.
VFL Practice Games (March 2-4)
SATURDAY MARCH 4
Casey Demons vs Richmond at Casey Fields 12noon (4x25)
http://www.vflfooty.com/content/vfl-practice-games-march-2-4
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Both 7 and 9 news tonight said Lynch and Baker will play this weekend against Melbourne. Lynch will play limited minutes.
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Your guide to the official AFL pre-season games
Jon Pierik
The Age
March 1, 2023
Melbourne v Richmond, Casey Fields, 4.10pm AEDT
Who we want to see:
Let’s see how the Brodie Grundy-Max Gawn ruck combination works. The sell to former Magpie Grundy was that Gawn would spend 70 per cent of his time as a forward. Is that for real? The Tigers could not be happier with former Giants stars Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, and they will reinforce why Damien Hardwick’s men remain in flag contention.
What we want to see:
We know Dustin Martin can thrive predominantly as a forward. How will Trent Cotchin go there at this stage of his career? He has the tricks to get the job done. The Demons have worked over summer to improve their second-half performances, having squandered leads last season. They also want to be more direct when going inside 50. Let’s see if there is change.
Round one implications:
Star Demon Kysaiah Pickett was electric up forward and in his new role through the midfield last week. He will want to build on this, heading into a clash against the Dogs’ blue-chip midfield brigade. The Tigers are keen for Jack Dyer medallist Tom Lynch to have a run – he has battled a plantar fasciitis issue. While Lynch trained strongly on Tuesday, the Tigers will take a cautious approach.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/your-guide-to-the-official-afl-pre-season-games-20230228-p5co7p.html
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Based on the injury report, Lynch, Baker, Broad and Sonsie will all play some game time this Saturday.
From those who played against North last Friday, Tarrant will miss with a hip issue.
Pickett and Graham will also miss again along with the longer-term injured Gibcus, Bauer and Smith.
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AFL website's live match centre for Saturday's game:
https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4995#summary
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Tigers in Casey 📍
#LevelUp #gotiges
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FqWCwGjaEAM6TmV?format=jpg&name=large) (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FqWCwJJaIAAtNb3?format=jpg&name=large)
https://twitter.com/Richmond_FC/status/1631854212152963072
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Main thing today is get through with no more injuries (touchwood) :pray.
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Nothing changes terrible decision against Prestia there
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So an unrealistic attempt at a mark by a Dee is a free against us :P.
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Good hands in traffic and surge by us on transition for this early in the season. Hopper finds Cumberland in the pocket. Misses.
1 - 1
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Another gift for the demons.
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Couple of poo frees to the Demons already :rollin
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Both shots by Melbourne thanks to the umps ::).
1 - 7
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Lynch gets shoved out but of course we don't a free in front of the sticks.
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Yep, Cumberland too unselfish there. Go for goal there.
Kmac held on the wing no free.
Melbourne goal.
1 - 13
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Kick the goal Cumberland!!
No one seems to want to kick them
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Couple of poo frees to the Demons already :rollin
Oh boy. Didn't think we could get worse treatment from the umpires than previous years. Going to be a long and frustrating year if this is what we are going to get.
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Bronx cheers already. We finally get a free.
Taranto 45 out for too high. Misses.
2 - 13
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Nearly ready to switch off with the umpiring.
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Another free to Melbourne in their F50 ::).
2 - 19
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Difference so far is we've been sloppy and over-possessing the ball going forward.
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We look terrible out there.
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I hope we're not trying that hard because it's a practice game
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No Tiger defensive side of the stoppage at HF :facepalm. Just allowed Petracca to waltz through. Lucky they miss.
2 - 21
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Forward line is completely dysfunctional
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Slop every time we go forward. I know it's only a practice game but wakey, wakey Tigers!
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They are just easily rebounding off our crap delivery inside 50. Same inside 50s yet 4 goals difference already and we can't score.
3 - 27
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Dow has done a couple of nice things
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We're not going to kick a goal just bombing it long. Pathetic quarter of football. Deserve to be well behind. Be interesting to see if we start lowering the eyes.
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Well that was complete rubbish :help.
Quarter time
Richmond 0.3-3
Melbourne 5.3-33
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33-3.
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Feels like we are rushing our kicks too much and playing too straight from the flanks. Not using angles to offput and shift the Dees defence.
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50m penalty after another dodgy free
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Another one, Kamdyn you fool. Lol.
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3 more inside 50s and clearances are equal yet haven't scored and we're 5 goals down :P.
Our kick to handball ratio is almost 1:1. Too much overpossessing by hand.
Most Possies:
Baker 9
Short 7
D.Rioli 7
Vlastuin 6
Taranto 5
Prestia 5
https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4995#player-stats
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Floss good intercept mark at HB. Finds Dow who kicks long and across inside 50 to Dusty. Goal!
Rich 1.3-9
Melb 6.3-39
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Prestia off with a shoulder :(.
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Out of the middle and Cumberland marks 40 out. Misses.
10 - 39
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LOL. Balta from 60 goes the bomb and nails it easily :gotigers
Rich 2.4-16
Melb 6.3-39
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Training drill out of defence for Melbourne. Really poor defending Tiges.
16 - 45
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Gawn tackled and drops it = no free ::).
Cumberland falcon.
Lynch grubs one from the boundary for a point.
17 - 45
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Taranto long and Jack gets the free. Goal! :gotigers
Rich 3.5-23
Melb 7.4-46
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Tiger supporter at the Dee free: "Ahhh B***S***!" :lol
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Prestia done for the day. Ice on the shoulder.
Fox saying Dion was joking and laughing with the doc but we won't risk him.
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Gawn flogging us.
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Cumberland needed to hand that off to the runners.
Jack does well to bring it ground at HF and give it off to Hopper but his steering shot misses the open goal.
50 against us from the kick in and it leads to a Melbourne goal :banghead.
24 - 53
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Surely Jack's arms were chopped there.
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Did I mention the umpiring.
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Frees: 6 - 10
So Petracca was allowed to be in the 10m protect zone. That should have been 50 to Dusty.
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Hits the post and they pay it a goal to Melbourne. Amateur hour umpiring ::)
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Melbourne waltzing it out of defense so easily. We continue to bomb it long or just kick it to Melbourne players.
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Sheesh our forward entries are putrid, but there is a lack of effort to compete also.
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How poor has the connection been between our mids and forwards. We kick to a spot where there's space and none of our forwards are prepared for it.
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Our intensity is poor now as well. Not running hard enough and too much ballwatching and being reactive.
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I can’t see how Cotch is in the best 22 as a forward.
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Is Hopper out there
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Undisciplined and dumb Balta with less than a minute to go.
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I can’t see how Cotch is in the best 22 as a forward.
Been unsighted today. I agree 100 % with this
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Undisciplined and dumb Balta with less than a minute to go.
Not good enough even in a practice match
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That was one putrid half of footy from us. Kills off the hype :P.
Half-time
Richmond 0.3 3.6-24
Melbourne 5.3 9.8-62
Goals: Riewoldt, Martin, Balta
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Undisciplined and dumb Balta with less than a minute to go.
Not good enough even in a practice match
And not for the first time either.
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Horrible.
Dumb Richmond Football.
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Team Stats to HT:
Disposals: 157 - 214
Kicks: 92 - 133
Handballs: 65 - 81
Marks: 42 - 67
Clearances: 16 - 14
Inside 50s: 31 - 27
Tackles: 20 - 23 ..... bruise free footy.
Hitouts: 18 - 14
Frees: 9 - 13
Individual possies:
Baker 15
Taranto 15
Short 12
Floss 10
D.Rioli 10
Dow 10
Dusty 9
Hopper 9
Clarke 8
Lynch 7
Nank 6
Broad 6
Prestia 5 .... subbed off (strained left pec)
Balta 5
Young 4
Soldo 4
Riewoldt 4
Cumberland 4
Cotch 4
Bolton 4
Grimes 3
M.Rioli 2
Kmac 2
Green 0
https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4995#player-stats
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Forwards can’t get their hands on the footy.
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It's a weird game for us. The inside stuff that aimed to fix with our recruiting has been reasonable (matching the Dees in clearances). It's everything else which is meant to be our strengths that has gone to pot. Our defending and pressure is poor and our forward play is totally dysfunctional. We can't hit targets and once the ball hits the deck there is zero forward pressure from our smalls to keep it in there for repeat entries and Melbourne just sweep it out so easily like it's circle work.
One Tiger escaping the spotlight today is Bolton. I know it's his first preseason game but he's been unsighted.
Floss, Baker, Dow and perhaps Taranto have been okay. So many Tigers are down.
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Speaking of Bolton. Maybe he got a blast from Dimma. Straight out of the middle from the start of the 3rd and Lynch goals :gotigers
Rich 4.6-30
Melb 9.8-62
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Young is useless.
Boltan is lazy
MaCintosh out of form.
Lynch out of form.
Baker is best player on the field for us.
This is the worst game i have seen us play for 5 years.
We cannot handle really tall forwards, 2018 prelim showed us that and it is still glaringly true today.
Today's performance so far = Diabolical
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Baker lowers his eyes and finds Hopper 50 out. Hands it off but the kick falls short and marked by Gawn.
We waste our chance and Melbourne run it down the other end for a goal.
30 - 68
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Wow. They are simply just better than us. Not much more to say really.
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Once again overpossessing by hand, getting ourselves into trouble and passing to somewhere where no one is which causes the turnover. Add poor defending (Balta) at the top of the goalsquare and it's another gift to the Dees.
30 - 74
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Wow. They are simply just better than us. Not much more to say really.
Working harder does that. The Dees are on. Appear to be like us at the start of 2019 after we blew the season before.
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And that play sums up today. So many chances to kick a goal then and stuffing up every one.
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We get it back across the centre. Dow gets 50 which takes him into scoring range and he goals :gotigers. He's been one of the few reasonable Tigers today.
Rich 5.7-37
Melb 11.8-74
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MRJ been pretty ordinary. No lock round one based on today
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Maurice has had a shocker today. Fumbled everything he's touched.
Baker easily our best. Another double effort. Gets it back from Short to goal :gotigers
Rich 6.7-43
Melb 11.8-74
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Our defending has been trash. I always suspected that it wasn’t just our poor midfield that was leading to our poor defence. Just conceding at an incredibly high rate per fwd 50 entry. Structure and 1v1 defending has been poor since 2020.
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Lever tried to fend off then. Should have been holding the ball.
From the stoppage, Short bursts through and (drop-kick) goals :gotigers
Rich 7.7-49
Melb 11.8-74
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Our defending has been trash. I always suspected that it wasn’t just our poor midfield that was leading to our poor defence. Just conceding at an incredibly high rate per fwd 50 entry. Structure and 1v1 defending has been poor since 2020.
Case in point right there from Grimes.
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Our defending has been trash. I always suspected that it wasn’t just our poor midfield that was leading to our poor defence. Just conceding at an incredibly high rate per fwd 50 entry. Structure and 1v1 defending has been poor since 2020.
Exhibit A just then. Missed the ball coming in, allowed it to bounce and Melbourne goal. Too easy.
Edit: Beat me too it, TK.
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Our defending has been trash. I always suspected that it wasn’t just our poor midfield that was leading to our poor defence. Just conceding at an incredibly high rate per fwd 50 entry. Structure and 1v1 defending has been poor since 2020.
Exhibit A just then. Missed the ball coming in, allowed it to bounce and Melbourne goal. Too easy.
Edit: Beat me too it, TK.
Case in point #2 from grimes there. Just that fake tough guy crap, bumping someone 10mins after he’d gotten rid of it.
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We were out but Bolton slowed down waiting for an option when he could have just put on the jets and no teammate was running hard forward (unlike the Dee defenders) to create an option for him. So Shai turns it over.
Sums up our pathetic forward play today :facepalm.
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Our defending has been trash. I always suspected that it wasn’t just our poor midfield that was leading to our poor defence. Just conceding at an incredibly high rate per fwd 50 entry. Structure and 1v1 defending has been poor since 2020.
Exhibit A just then. Missed the ball coming in, allowed it to bounce and Melbourne goal. Too easy.
Edit: Beat me too it, TK.
Case in point #2 from grimes there. Just that fake tough guy crap, bumping someone 10mins after he’d gotten rid of it.
Today, we deserve to get bagged for our mindset and discipline. No point our players getting frustrated due to our own woefulness.
ps. Fox thinking Cotch will be looked at by the MRP for that scuffle.
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Bolton to Maurice. But he misses a gettable chance. Just not his day today.
50 - 81
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Melbourne desperate doing all the 1%ers and we're just taking the pee.
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We did our best again to stuff that up. Eventually gets to Taranto by the boundary and his kick to hot spot is judged better and marked by Bolton 25 out. But he misses a sitter :P
51 - 83
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Taranto to Lynch good contested mark by the boundary. Tough kick into the breeze from there. Across the face and rushed by us so no score.
3/4 time
Richmond 0.3 3.6 7.9-51
Melbourne 5.3 9.8 12.11-83
Goals: Riewoldt, Lynch, Martin, Baker, Balta, Dow, Short.
Somehow "won" the quarter despite having half the inside 50s :o.
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Well on the + side I really don’t think many can play worse then they are today.
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Team stats to 3QT:
Disposals: 257 - 283
Marks: 63 - 78
Clearances: 25 - 23
Hitouts: 29 - 18
Inside 50s: 39 - 46
Tackles: 29 - 32
Frees: 14 - 16
Leading disposal getters:
Baker 28
Taranto 23
Floss 18
D.Rioli 18
Hopper 17
Short 16
Dusty 14
Lynch 13
Dow 13
Clarke 12
Balta 11
Bolton 11
https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4995#team-stats
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Lynch done for the day. Only playing 3/4ers. Samson Ryan on.
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Don’t think young is ready yet. If Tarrant is missing round 1, I’d be playing Miller down back. Id be playing Miller regardless as second ruck.
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Old flappers Brown getting all the frees now
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Melbourne charges at the loose ball while the Tiger waits. Sums up our mindset.
The Dees must be up to nearly 10 frees in their F50 ::).
We actually get a free in our F50 to Samson. Misses.
52 - 91
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We finally switch it across HF. Kmac long across to Taranto who dishes off to Dan Rioli who nails it from 50.
Rich 8.10-58
Melb 13.13-91
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Another example there of Melbourne gut running much harder than us.
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And right there with Samson is why the Stand rule is stupid. Had no effect on the Dee with the ball.
Anyway, what's worse is our lack of intensity and effort today. Richmond players not even looking at the ball or keeping up with their direct opponent. Really poor.
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Stoppage 50 out. Cotch chips it to Taranto 45 out. Goal!
Rich 9.10-64
Melb 16.13-109
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Samson at least providing some highlights with his marking. If only he could kick straight for goal :P.
65 - 109
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Samson again marks it. 20 out. Closer in and he finally gets one.
Rich 10.11-71
Melb 16.13-109
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So when Melbourne player leaps early it's a free against us for blocking but when we do it it's a free against us for unrealistic attempt. Go figure!
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Only Pre Season but a few lessons learnt.
Our skills have a long way to improve (it's March).
With centre clearances now not a huge issue our backline looks vulnerable without the 3 of Balta Grimes Nd Tarrant all playing.
Lots of work to do on forward entries.
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How the hell did Melbourne get Brown, Grundy, Hunter for basically nothing? Good gets for them recruiting wise
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Hopper didn't do much, Taranto was good
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Hopper was noticeable in centre clearances.
Have to remember Dee's will be the yardstick this year with Brisbane.
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Final Score
Richmond 0.3 3.6 7.9 10.11-71
Melbourne 5.3 9.8 12.11 18.13-121
Goals: Riewoldt, Lynch, Martin, Baker, Balta, Dow, Short, Taranto, D.Rioli, Ryan.
Well that was fun to watch - NOT! :P
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Was it just me or was that very underwhelming?
Hopper looks like a kick round the shoulder and hope, very Nick Daffy style…
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Was it just me or was that very underwhelming?
Nah, it's not just you. If that was meant to be dress rehearsal for round 1 then that was really poor.
The weird part as I said during the game is the area which was supposedly our main weakness (inside ball/clearances) was reasonable. We matched Melbourne in there. We got enough of first hands and disposal the ball. But from there we just butchered it. Our connection and forward half play and delivery was terrible and our defending on transition and to high balls to the hot spot was just woeful. There's so much to fix in less than two weeks :P.
As for individual Tigers, liked Bakes' game (easily our best), Taranto, Floss, maybe Dan Rioli, Dow in parts, Samson in the last. Everyone else was down though and a few Tigers might as well not have turned up.
If Prestia is fine and Cotch doesn't have a case to answer then I'd guess the main positive is we got through the game unscathed (touchwood). But, it's very hard to find too many other positives from that "effort" or rather lack of. There's plenty of Tigers who deserve a good kick up the backside and a spray from Dimma after that performance.
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Hopefully you don’t pin your hopes on Hopper. I certainly wasn’t one who wet my pants on his recruit like others did. Taranto is a star.
PG yes though I have seen nothing different thus far to how we played last year.
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Dees' tall duo sets up big win, another injury worry for star Tiger
By Sarah Black
afl.com.au
4 March 2023
MELBOURNE 5.3 9.8 12.11 18.13 (121)
RICHMOND 0.3 3.6 7.8 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Melbourne: Grundy 3, Gawn 3, McDonald 3, Spargo 2, Neal-Bullen, Pickett, Sparrow, Brown, Chandler, Petracca, Hunter
Richmond: Martin, Balta, Riewoldt, Lynch, Dow, Baker, Short, D.Rioli, Taranto, Ryan
BEST
Melbourne: Petracca, Gawn, Hunter, Oliver, May
Richmond: Baker, Taranto, Hopper, Vlastuin, Martin
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Prestia (strained pec)
Reports: Nil
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A FRIGHTENINGLY quick Melbourne side – capitalised upon by twin towers Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy – has torn through Richmond, sending a warning to the rest of the competition with a 50-point win at a packed Casey Fields.
Rubbing salt into the wound for the Tigers was yet another injury to premier midfielder Dion Prestia, his game finishing early in the second term with a strained pec in the 18.13 (121) to 10.11 (71) loss.
Gawn and Grundy played a variety of roles around the ground, the skipper even featuring in defence at times, and kicked six between them before half-time, with their marking a clear highlight.
The Tigers were without Robbie Tarrant (hip), with former VFL defender Tylar Young given a baptism of fire against 'Gawndy'.
The speed at which Melbourne moved the football – driven by the likes of Christian Petracca (32 and four clearances), Clayton Oliver (31 and nine), Lachie Hunter (26) and Kozzie Pickett (14 and six tackles, playing mostly midfield) – left the Richmond defence at sixes and sevens, futilely lunging at the backs of Demon jumpers while two steps behind their opponents.
The Demons kicked six goals before Richmond saluted for its first through Dustin Martin (staying close to goal the entire game) in the second quarter.
Melbourne's disciplined defence, directed by Steven May (22 and nine marks), and the work of its midfielders to push back made life very difficult for Richmond, with Tom Lynch playing after missing last week's match simulation, and Noah Cumberland often the deepest forward.
If it wasn't the tall Demon forwards causing havoc (including Tom McDonald and Ben Brown), the smalls continually bobbed up, with Charlie Spargo and Kade Chandler providing plenty of spark and running hard throughout.
Liam Baker – who had appendix surgery just two weeks ago – was one of Richmond's best, playing off half-back with 36 disposals and 660m gained.
Lynch's day ended at three-quarter time in a planned rotation after spending most of pre-season rehabbing a foot injury, with Samson Ryan – who had a lively final quarter – coming on in his spot.
New faces
Melbourne winger Lachie Hunter performed strongly as he pushes for a round one berth, racking up 26 disposals and impressing with his overlap run and smarts around the field. He capped off a strong day with a stunning goal from the boundary, on the run. On the surface, it appears there aren't any teething issues with the inclusion of Grundy, taking now-Docker Luke Jackson's role beautifully. It was a quiet hitout but good experience for Judd McVee, while youngsters Steely Green, Taj Woewodin and Ryan saw limited game time.
Round one chance
Hunter and Grundy aside, Melbourne is unlikely to be featuring any fresh faces in its first 22 for its round one game against the Western Bulldogs, but keep your eye on Kade Chandler (1.3) who was a constant threat throughout the game. For the Tigers, previous fringe players Thomson Dow (15 disposals) and Judson Clarke (14) performed quite well in the midfield and on the wing respectively. If Marlion Pickett (adductor) doesn't come up, pencil Clarke's name in.
Medical room
Prestia's day finished early, but there doesn't appear to be huge concern. The midfielder removed his ice-pack from the affected area and completed run-throughs at half-time. Grundy spent a brief period of time off the field in the first term after a knock to his finger, courtesy of a Kamdyn McIntosh tackle, but returned in fine form. There'll be a few sore heads among the Tiger boys, with both Ivan Soldo and Noah Cumberland copping falcons.
Fantasy watch
Who said the ruck line was tricky? Max Gawn (RUC, $914,000) and Brodie Grundy (RUC, $830,000) set and forget again? The Demons duo dominated as Gawn (111 points) and Grundy (62) kicked three goals each, with the latter spending just 69 per cent of time on ground. The Dees mixed up their centre bounce options, but it didn't slow down Clayton Oliver (MID, $994,000) as the star midfielder finished with 100 points and Christian Petracca (MID, $908,000) ended up with 102. However, Angus Brayshaw (DEF, $878,000) struggled to get into the game early, but finished with 21 disposals for 76 points.
Tim Taranto (MID/FWD, $846,00) produced another strong outing with 121 points, while Dustin Martin (MID/FWD, $677,000) also looked solid, scoring 77. Jacob Hopper (MID, $716,000) had 23 disposals and 64 points.
Dee Kade Chandler (FWD, $200,000) is shaping as a rookie option after scoring 45 points against the Tigers. – Dejan Kalinic
(https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2023/03/04/a8db4a3a-699a-4a17-afe8-8d4ee59f2464/MELvRIC-Fantasy.jpg?width=952)
https://www.afl.com.au/news/879354/dees-tall-duo-sets-up-big-win-another-injury-worry-for-star-tiger
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KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM MELBOURNE’S SLICK WIN OVER RICHMOND
By Andrew Slevison
SEN
4 March 2023
Melbourne showed it plans to genuinely contend once again in 2023 with an impressive 50-point practice match win over Richmond at Casey Fields.
The Demons were dominant throughout, recording a 18.13 (121) to 10.11 (71) victory in the final pre-season hit-out before Round 1.
Simon Goodwin said he wanted his side to play in a fast, upbeat manner and that’s exactly what they did, particularly early. The Dees led by five goals at quarter-time and were never truly challenged thereafter, although the Tigers had their moments in the second half.
Melbourne’s aggressive ball movement was crisp, they used angles and were not as predictable as they were during the second half of last season. They appear a much quicker outfit in 2023 and their spread from midfield was so much slicker than Richmond’s.
Importantly, their team defence, led by Steven May, remains as solid as it’s been during their recent success.
Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy gave us a close look at what they could be capable of this year as a ruck-forward duo.
They kicked six goals between them - all in the first half - and combined for 27 disposals (Gawn 17, Grundy 10), 23 hit-outs (Gawn 12, Grundy 11) and 12 marks (Gawn 8, Grundy 4), six of which were contested.
There was a gaping hole deep in the Tigers’ defence left by the absence of Robbie Tarrant, with rookie draftee Tylar Young given another go after holding his own against North Melbourne last week.
However, Gawn and Grundy took complete advantage of the situation and dominated inside a Demons forward line without last year’s leading goalkicker Bayley Fritsch.
Most Tigers (not Baker) lacked intensity
Damien Hardwick’s Tigers lacked their usual intensity.
Richmond had enough of it going forward, only losing the inside 50 count 55-57, but were simply not as intense around the ball, nor were they as clean as their more imperious opponents.
The pressure in the contest simply wasn’t as fierce.
Liam Baker was certainly not in that bracket and was comfortably Richmond’s best player. His intensity was enormous, ending the day with a game-high 36 touches plus six score involvements, four inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal.
Tim Taranto (33 disposals, five clearances, one goal) was superb again and Jacob Hopper (23 disposals, nine clearances) was industrious.
Lynch returns, Ryan impresses late
After playing three quarters in the reserves, Samson Ryan came on for the final term to replace Tom Lynch, who was rested as he continues to build up his load following a plantar fasciitis issue.
Ryan impressed with six kicks, five marks (four contested) and 1.2 after Lynch had taken three contested marks and kicked 1.1 from 13 disposals in three quarters prior.
The youngster has bulked up and now looks much more comfortable at the top level.
Prestia injury worry
Richmond’s Dion Prestia, who has dealt with his fair share of soft tissue injuries in recent seasons, suffered a strained pectoral muscle in the second quarter and played no further part.
The Tigers will be sweating on his fitness for Round 1.
Next up
The Tigers open the 2023 season with their traditional meeting with Carlton at the ‘G on Thursday night, March 16.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/03/04/key-observations-from-melbournes-slick-win-over-richmond/
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Team Stats:
Disposals: 346 - 375
Kicks: 190 - 228
Handballs: 156 - 147
Marks: 83 - 105
Clearances: 33 - 32
Inside 50s: 55 - 57
Tackles: 41 - 39
Hitouts: 37 - 24 .... ( Nank 24, Soldo 13 ; Gawn 12, Grundy 11, McDonald 1 )
Frees: 17 - 23
Individual possies:
Baker 36
Taranto 33
D.Rioli 26
Hopper 23
Vlastuin 20
Martin 16
Broad 16
Short 15
Dow 15
Clarke 14
Bolton 14
Balta 13
Lynch 13 .... ( subbed off at 3/4 time )
McIntosh 11
Cotchin 11
Nankervis 10
Young 9
Soldo 8
Cumberland 8
Grimes 7
Ryan 6 .... ( subbed on at 3/4 time )
M.Rioli 6
Green 6
Riewoldt 5
Prestia 5 .... ( taken off during 2nd qtr due to strained left pec )
https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4995#player-stats
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Same issues as last season last practice games biggest concern teams in transition from defence to our forward line is like a walk in the park to easy we're in trouble if we don't rectify this and the lack of cohesion between midfield and forwards.Need to be cleaner with the footy skills need to lift.
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It would appear that our team were a bit like me totally disinterested in this game. ;D
We were out today so missed the first qtr, got home in time for the 2nd, which I bothered to watch and along with part of the 3rd. Have recorded it so may watch all of it later
But just a few observations from what I watched.
Tyler Young is not ready for AFL. Totally understand why he played today with Tarrant being injured we needed to see if can fill that spot. Based on today, I'd say no. Ben Miller has to play as key back if there's no Tarrant
Judson Clarke on the wing looks good but his disposal at times really let him down. Kid will be an elite kick in time.
Steely Dan...oops I mean Steely Green looked off the pace of AFL but good lessons for the kid
Can certainly tell Tommy Lynch has missed a lot of pre season work. His timing was out
Taranto was impressive and I was happy with Hopper's inside grunt work. To me it is clear he's taking on the Cotchin role
Finally, I don't see how we can play Nank and Soldo together. Just didn't work
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"We played a really organised side and we'll go away from it with some great lessons."
🎙 Hear from assistant coach Andrew McQualter after today's match against Melbourne.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1278925/andrew-mcqualter-post-match
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The Tiger's intercept possession game was not at its 2022 level today. Last year, Richmond averaged 12.9 more points per game from forward-50 intercepts than their opposition, ranked first in the league; today, however, they couldn't manage a single score from this source.
https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4995
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what to take out of that? Sheesh just a practice game but horrid none the less.
I'm asking are players like Cotchin, Martin, Riewoldt past it. Grimes looked ordinary as well. Was in stitches of laughter with McIntosh. There is a real ordinariness about this bloke and it is always just lurking under the surface.
How soft was Jayden Shorts game? Now there's one who going by best 22 teams was probably playing for a spot. Not after that.
Soldo a big unit yet so badly outplayed by his opponents and how unco is he still.
We totally lacked polish, skills were deplorable yet we cannot find a spot for Sonsie. There was a total lack of accountability to an opponent, does anyone have the ability to play one v one?
Our tackling was non existent and mostly ineffective when we did.I wonder how many didnt lay a tackle or just one?
We are kidding ourselves if we think we don't need a third tall fwd or decent fwd/ruck. JR id say will have more down days than good ones.
That has been on the cards for a few seasons now.
We need more than just the one big target in the fwd line imo.
Dusty well early days, still the question begs is his best way behind him? Will he get back to somewhere close to his best? He is primarily a mid still imo. Trouble is everyone's expectation is our older blokes won't regress but what happens if they do?
Cotchin well simply put only time he did anything was when he went into the midfield. Same question here for him and JR have they continued to regress. Cotchin as a forward is laughable.
Balta well people always rave about him, but when it comes in and he's one on one there's a lot left to be desired on his one v one ability.
Tyler Young, I agree with others just is not at the level yet and may never be.
Come round one we will have a similar situation with what talls Carlton can throw at us in the forward half. Curnow, McKay, DeKoning and Silvagni who is 194cm. Food for thought there if Tarrant is not fit. Normal circumstances we would probably go Tarrant to McKay. Grimes would get Silvagni, Balta would get Curnow and if we played Miller as a fwd/ruck then he could go to DeKoning when he went forward and maybe stretch them going the other way.
Yep as stated we will need more than just Hopper and Taranto we need younger blokes to step up if we are to genuinely contend imo but first you have to be brave enough to give em a decent go.
Yep just a practice game but a lot of things are still the same. Here's hoping that was an abberation and not reflective of the season to come.
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Demons are in exactly the same position as us with regard to a tune up for round 1 so I’d say their intent would have been the same as ours which is 50 points better.
I can’t imagine a world where we make that up just because we’ve started home and away in 2 weeks nor would i say the team would’ve expected that result.
It’s not panic stations but this has a huge stench of disaster written all over it.
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Don't place too much weight on practice matches. Never played with the same intensity as games during the season. Also Coaches tend to experiment in these sort of matches. The most I hope out of these matches is no injuries.
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Exactly you can't replicate the real response from the real deal.
We have mock emergency drills at work all the time, eyes rolling everywhere.
When it hits the fan we get moving.
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[Insert positive spin]
Preseason 2020:
RICHMOND 1.0 4.0 6.6 6.8 (44)
COLLINGWOOD 5.1 8.1 8.4 13.6 (84)
https://www.afl.com.au/news/380491/pie-mid-s-injury-sours-big-win-over-tigers-as-cult-hero-returns
[/end positive spin]
;D :outtahere
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One thing I’ve noticed defensively is that our key backs do not attack packs with any ferocity to spoil. We rarely have a spare that comes over the top and as a result we get out-marked regularly. Not sure if it’s a team thing to trust each other in 1-1 contests or there is a level of timid mess and lack of confidence?
Thoughts?
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One thing I’ve noticed defensively is that our key backs do not attack packs with any ferocity to spoil. We rarely have a spare that comes over the top and as a result we get out-marked regularly. Not sure if it’s a team thing to trust each other in 1-1 contests or there is a level of timid mess and lack of confidence?
Thoughts?
I feel like we always had a spare man running off a bloke to create an uneven contest or intercept, less so these days.
Not sure if that's due to the stand rule but it might be. Definitely makes team defence and turnovers harder.
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This is year three fmd we have had long enough to make good adjustments to rule changes. It is starting to smack of excuse making.
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That is very true. But I stand by my opinion that the stand rule is the stupidest rule ever introduced in the history of the AFL and without any input from the players, clubs or any trials done at state/any level to boot.
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Lack of pressure on the ball carrier, inability to defend in our defensive 50 and constantly turning the ball over when we have it - particularly kicking i50 - are becoming hallmarks of our game play for the 3rd straight year.
Practice game or not, it looks too familiar.
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That is very true. But I stand by my opinion that the stand rule is the stupidest rule ever introduced in the history of the AFL and without any input from the players, clubs or any trials done at state/any level to boot.
:clapping :clapping :clapping
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That is very true. But I stand by my opinion that the stand rule is the stupidest rule ever introduced in the history of the AFL and without any input from the players, clubs or any trials done at state/any level to boot.
:clapping :clapping :clapping
Agree, it makes a visually entertaining fast flowing sport look like trees blowing in the wind for the players on the mark
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Lack of pressure on the ball carrier, inability to defend in our defensive 50 and constantly turning the ball over when we have it - particularly kicking i50 - are becoming hallmarks of our game play for the 3rd straight year.
Practice game or not, it looks too familiar.
Agree. This game has left me less confident about the season ahead.
I know it’s just a practice game but…
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Yesterday [Saturday] was a bit disconcerting, but aside from the usual “it’s just a preseason match” comments there are a few other mitigating circumstances.
1/3: We have had the biggest shift in personnel since 2017, Taranto (who was excellent) was involved in 60%! Of our scoring chains…
.. so essentially our prime mover has completely changed, as has our forward line set ups. Adjustment will be hard.
2/3: the Ds are good, match up well against us and were playing on their 2nd home on a windy day which our guys aren’t used to…
3/3: Some of the base stats like inside 50s were more even than the scoreboard. We won centre clearances and a few other meaningful measures.
All that said, some personal issues were worrying. But twitter is negative enough without listing them!
https://twitter.com/Richmond_TT/status/1632163310283161600
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Lack of pressure on the ball carrier, inability to defend in our defensive 50 and constantly turning the ball over when we have it - particularly kicking i50 - are becoming hallmarks of our game play for the 3rd straight year.
Practice game or not, it looks too familiar.
We did improve in terms of our centre clearances but it's not much use if the ball just rebounds out of our forward line.
Won centre clearance by 7✔️
Dees 6 goals from D50 transition needs work :help.
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I think it was 2016 preseason against which was port when we were getting flogged and Dimma wanted to end the match early? That ended up being a sign of things to come and yeah to say it was a long year was an understatement
I hope this match isn’t the sign of things to come. Like one eyed highlighted 2020 preseason wasnt indicative of us. Dimma in 2020 said the reason why we sucked early was everyone trained in isolation and once we were in the hub we could train together and our style of play really needed that.
Im Hoping it’s just a few tweeks in team cohesion and not a “our whole team sucks skill wise” thing
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We will be fine, I'm sure there will be a lot more fight when there's something on the line unlike this glorified training drill.
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I’m hearing there’s been a bit of a gastro outbreak at the club, obviously not ideal this close to round 1 but still over a week to get over it and get better.
https://twitter.com/swoopshim/status/1632559887732588544
If true, might explain why we were flat as a tack.
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I heard about the gastro outbreak today from a medical person today, should not be a problem by round 1