Wallace starts wild ride
19 February 2005
Herald Sun
Jon Pierik
A NEW coach, six new players and a captain on trial. Richmond's new era under Terry Wallace officially took flight against Collingwood last night -- and it promises to be some ride.
While their bid to re-emerge as a football force began like each of the final 14 rounds of the 2004 season ended -- with a loss -- there much was to like for the tortured souls who make up the Tiger faithful.
This was about a awakening of a hibernating giant, complete with a batch of young, fresh talent that many rate the best in the land.
Wallace is first to admit there is plenty of work to do; like any masterpiece, this may take years to complete.
However, it's clear he has the top-notch tools to work with in the next five years as he sets out on rounding off his football resume with a premiership as coach.
Youngsters Brett Deledio and Richard Tambling are the real deal, while mature-age signings Troy Simmonds, Mark Graham and Trent Knobel last night provided what Wallace wanted of them -- toughness.
Wallace may have been out of the coaches' box since 2002, but he has not lost any of the savvy that made his unfashionable Bulldogs one of the most exciting teams of the late 90s.
The decision to start Deledio on the bench was a good one as it allowed the celebrated No. 1 pick a chance to pick up the pace of the game, something he quickly adjusted to in a composed and classy debut.
Tambling began up forward alongside the giant Simmonds, but was allowed to do what he does best -- run and gather possessions.
His dynamic, spearing super goal in the second quarter, which left Scott Burns sprawling in the centre, was a piece of magic.
Wallace had promised over summer a far more competitive and exciting outfit and said his side would target 16 goals a game -- up from the club's average of 11 last year.
To do this, Wallace needed to implement a direct style of play. Mark that down as another tick by his name.
Admittedly, there were some terrible relapses last night into bad habits.
These generally occurred around half-back and through the midfield when his young men were under siege.
But, when the opportunity arose, the centre corridor was used as the Tigers looked to Matthew Richardson and Simmonds on the lead.
As the Magpies surged in the last quarter and the game was in the balance, Wallace went to his generals to protect the lead.
The tired Tambling and Deledio were benched, while Kane Johnson and stand-in skipper Joel Bowden were sent to half-back.
Graham, who began as a surprise forward, returned to his defensive post where he looked far more comfortable.
On radio before the game, Wallace was clearly buoyant about the season ahead. Last night's result shouldn't change his attitude, for the potential masterpiece has just begun.
COLLINGWOOD 1.1.4 1.5.10 1.8.11 3.12.16 (115)
RICHMOND 1.3.4 2.3.6 4.6.6 5.9.9 (108)
SUPER GOALS
Collingwood: R.Lonie, A.Williams, A.Rocca
Richmond: N.Brown, T.Roach, T.Knobel, R.Tambling, S.Tuck
GOALS
Collingwood: C.Tarrant 2, A.Rocca 2, T.Walker 2, J.Rowe, R.Cole, S.Burns, C.Cloke, D.King, J.Fraser
Richmond: T.Simmonds 2, B.Deledio, M.Richardson, D.Rodan, C.Newman, W.Campbell, A.Krakouer, R.Tambling
BEST
Collingwood: S.O'Bree, C.Tarrant, P.Licuria, A.Rocca, B.Johnson, B.Holland, S.Morrison, A.Williams
Richmond: K.Johnson, B.Deledio, T.Simmonds
INJURIES
Richmond: J.Schulz (ankle)
CROWD: 33,639
UMPIRES: C.Hendrie, M.Vozzo, S.McInerney, S.Meredith
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,12299495%255E19771,00.html