Herald-Sun Season 2011 Liftout -/- Tigers building a strong case

[one-eyed]

I couldn't find this online so I scanned it in.....


TIGERS BUILDING A STRONG CASE
By Mike Sheahan
Herald-Sun
Sat 19 March 2011, Page N05

What is a reasonable expectation of Richmond?

It is impossible to draw conclusions on the 2010 formline - not a win from the first nine rounds, six wins from the next nine, four losses to finish - yet there was much to like about what the Tigers achieved for the year.

They demanded a little respect, took a major step towards rebuilding their self-esteem and created genuine hope for the future.

Jack Riewoldt won the Coleman Medal, Dustin Martin might have won the Rising Star but for a heavy-handed match review panel decision, and Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin continued to grow in stature.

They are heading in the right direction. Finally. Where they finish is anyone's guess, and there is much work still to be done, but they're not going around in aimless circles any longer, reserving their best work for in-fighting.

The return of Nathan Foley is a huge plus. He is a better player than many outsiders suspect. He's a strong ballwinner, exceptionally quick, and he loves to carry the ball and run directly towards goal.

Riewoldt certainly will be keen to see him back. Full-forwards aren't entitled to expect the ball lace out every time, but they are happy to get the chance to play one-on-one.

Given it doesn't take much to excite long-suffering Richmond supporters and they can quickly get ahead of themselves, what's a reasonable expectation?

Ten wins is the dream, eight is a more credible target, six and a much healthier percentage than last year's 73.0 is the absolute minimum. The tigers need to claim a big scalp or two along the way.

[one-eyed]

Crystal Ball

MICHAEL WARNER
Next big thing: Trent Cotchin (Richmond)

JACKIE EPSTEIN
Next big thing: Dustin Martin (Richmond)


RICHMOND
By MARK ROBINSON
Page N28

GRADUAL GAINS AT TIGERLAND

While the Tigers might be stirring, don't expect them to transform themselves from timid pussy to ravaging big cat just yet.

The fact is Richmond won just six games last year and finished 15th. They started 0-9, won five of the next six, and came home 1-6.

Reality suggests Richmond has to improve in every facet of the game and that will take more than the 22 games this season.

Skill level has to be a focus.

The more the Tigers keep the ball, the fewer times they have to chase it, so that's a start.

Defence is crucial: at stoppages, general play, forward pressure.

Last year they were 15th in scores against - only the free-flowing Bombers were worse.

Goalscoring is a major issue. Jack Riewoldt won the Coleman Medal with 78 goals, yet the Tigers were the lowest-scoring team in the league. The now-departed Andrew Collins (15 goals) was second on Richmond's goalkicking table, so there's work to be done.

The positives are the kids: Riewoldt, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin, the return of Nathan Foley, and recruits Bachar Houli and Shaun Grigg.

For now, the Tigers have to focus on development as they chase more depth.

SEASON FORECAST: 14th-15th

6 PACK

JACK'S BACK
The good news: Jack Riewoldt is a star and has the capacity to kick 100 goals in a season. The bad news? If Riewoldt is injured, the Tigers have a problem. Riewoldt will again be the go-to man, and there's nothing wrong with that.

He has great hands, is an improved kick and more team focused.

AND THE SMALLS
Huge worry here. Robin Nahas needs a substantial season or the Tigers will look for an alternative. Jake King looms as the bloke beside Riewoldt, but forward pressure can only go so far. He needs to kick goals. Mitch Morton will be asked to pinch hit, while Troy Taylor is the wildcard. Can he play at AFL level?

ACTION JACKSON
For a savvy bloke, Daniel Jackson can find himself in dumb situations. Played just 14 games last year, missing eight through suspension and injury. Injury is excusable, suspensions are not. He is a leader and he can't lead watching from the sidelines. Will again be Richmond's main run-with player.

STAND TALL
The Tigers are too one dimensional and urgently need Ben Griffiths (five games) and/or Tyrone Vickery (23 games) to start to command the second tall spot in attack. Griffiths is probably the one at this stage, which means Vickery, who starts his third season, has a challenging year ahead.

MIDDLE MAN
Outside of Riewoldt, nothing pleases Tigers fans more than when talk turns to the midfield. By the end of 2011, Dustin Martin (21 games) and Trent Cotchin (42) could be rated in the elite. They will be joined by Nathan Foley.

After just four games last year, the 2007 club B&F runner-up could be a SuperCoach special.

THE FUTURE
Not in order of importance or skill, but the Tigers are quietly happy with key forward Griffiths, key back David Astbury, first-round draft pick Reece Conca (who could play Round 1), and Taylor. Griffiths and Astbury are set to become crucial players.

OFF-FIELD REVAMP NEEDED ON FIELD
Been for a drive down Punt Rd lately? The redevelopment of Richmond HQ is almost complete and the healthy splash of yellow on black on the new west-side development signals the Tigers' prominence in the heartland.

With the new facilities all but done, Richmond's on-field makeover is next on the agenda.

HOPE RISES BUT KEEP IT BASIC
You got excited last year, Tiger fans, and with good reason. But those expectations have to be tempered. At times, it will feel like it's one step forward and two steps back, as the rollercoaster second half of last season proved. The philosophy is basic: win more quarters, stay in games longer and defend to the death.

SUPERCOACH QUICKPICK

MITCH MORTON
Smokie here, but will play midfield and be used forward to kick goals. Great bargain, as long as the coach is happy with him.

INSTANT RECALL
2010 15TH
B&F J.RIEWOLDT
GOALS NO.1 J.RIEWOLDT 78
MARKS NO.1 J.RIEWOLDT 123
DISPOSALS NO.1 B.DELEDIO 556

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[wayne]

Don't know if anyone else noticed, but they have the ladder finish prediction on every teams page.

Gold Coast was 16-17th.

Tigers were 14th - 15th.

Then it was West Coast, Brisbane predicted to finish 10th-12th, Port 11th-12th and from then on every team was predicted higher than that.

So they don't think anyone will finish 13th and that the bottom four spots will be taken up by two sides??