Richmond's mid-season report (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

Have the Tigers gone down with Brown?
01 July 2005   
Herald Sun
Michael Horan

Richmond's mid-season report.

LADDER POSITION: 7th (7 wins, 6 losses)

THE BURNING QUESTION

Have the Tigers gone down with Brown?

ARE the Tigers tenacious enough to get a minimum four more wins that could get them into the finals, or are they too toothless to have a decent bite at September? New coach Terry Wallace reprogrammed last year's wooden spooners in spectacular fashion to have his side in second spot with seven wins from the first nine games, but four defeats in a row leaves a huge question mark over the Tigers' ability to secure a spot in the final eight.

Fate has been cruel to Richmond.

Its ace in the early season was Nathan Brown who was in Brownlow Medal form, but from the moment he suffered a hideous broken leg against Melbourne in Round 10, things have gone awfully awry.

With other key players including champion forward Matthew Richardson and ruckmen Greg Stafford and Trent Knobel also wrestling niggling injuries, the mid-season break couldn't have come at a better time.

Brown is gone for the season, but that's not necessarily the case for the Tigers.

Richmond has excellent run, with Mark Coughlan back to his best and Shane Tuck's emergence as a top onballer giving Wallace a blend of youth and experience to work with.

In recent seasons similar good starts have withered on the vine and the Tigers have plummeted down the ladder in the second half of the season.

In 2004 they didn't win a game after the mid-year break.

However, this unit is far better equipped to arrest the slide.

Troy Simmonds and Knobel have been a great tag-team in the ruck, while the addition of first-round draftees Brett Deledio and Richard Tambling adds youthful class to the group.

There have been some grand moments that point to a brighter future for the Tigers.

Their Round 9 success at the Gabba and thumping reigning premier Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome are two examples of what this group is capable of. And the Tigers almost stole victory after being four goals down in the last quarter against West Coast -- and that was without Brown.

After only four wins last season, the Tiger faithful may have settled for seven wins this year.

But when they come in the first nine rounds expectations quickly change, and anything less than a place in the final eight will be an opportunity wasted.

SO WILL THEY MAKE IT?

POSSIBLY. Richmond has a softish draw that could well provide the necessary wins to sneak into the finals.

The Tigers need to win at least four, perhaps five, of their remaining nine matches, so their next game, against an inconsistent Sydney, is vital.

They are entitled to think they will beat Carlton and Hawthorn in Rounds 18 and 21 and would surely rate themselves chances against the Swans, Essendon, Fremantle and the Bulldogs.

But Richmond wouldn't want to be relying on winning its last home-and-away clash to get into the eight when it meets Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

RATING THE COACH

Wallace must get a tick for the Tigers' great start.

We knew he could coach, but no one expected Richmond to be 7-2 after nine rounds.

The players' skills were still questionable but he had them playing to a plan and with belief.

His biggest challenge will be to stop that belief, and the Tigers' season, heading south after a few losses.

LADDER SHAPERS

Rd 14 Sydney (MCG)

Rd 15 Essendon (MCG)

Rd 20 W Bulldogs (TD)

Rd 22 Geelong (SS)

THE TOP FIVE

1. MARK COUGHLAN

BEST & FAIREST favourite

Many, including Coughlan himself, had doubts he could recapture his best-and-fairest form of 2003 after missing most of last year. He has. Tough and just keeps running. Future captain.

2. M. RICHARDSON

Has been sensational. May finally land the B&F that has eluded him his whole career.

3. SHANE TUCK

A revelation. All the hard work is paying off as he emerges as a key midfielder. Centre clearance star.

4. JOEL BOWDEN

Often loose, but provides great drive from half-back.

Hurts teams when allowed to roam free.

5. ANDREW KELLAWAY

Has enjoyed having Gaspar back. Has shown guts in defence and courage to run off and create.

CUBS FIND CLAWS

Some have taken longer than others, but these young Tigers are learning to roar.

KAYNE PETTIFER

Looked gone, but has thrived under Wallace. Has kicked long and straight and scored goals at crucial times.

CHRIS NEWMAN

Played 67 games and relishing tough jobs in back pocket. Damaging left boot and could attack more.

BRETT DELEDIO

Excellent long kick, super quick, can take a mark and moves like Chris Judd. Cameos so far, but will be a star.

THE VITAL STATS

CLUB LEADERS

Goals Matthew Richardson 39

Kicks Shane Tuck 193

Marks Matthew Richardson 108

Handballs Mark Coughlan 139

Clearances Shane Tuck 63

Clangers Matthew Richardson 35

Tackles Mark Coughlan 53

Hitouts Trent Knobel 199

Goal assists Kayne Pettifer 9

Inside 50s Kayne Pettifer 56

Spoils Andrew Kellaway 40

Benchings Trent Knobel 46

Game time Darren Gaspar 1558 min

Played every game 16 of 32

THE GOOD

Richmond clears 42 per cent of stoppages contested -- ranked fourth in the competition.

THE BAD

Richmond's average of 99 points against is the worst of the top eight teams. In the past month the Tigers have conceded 119 points a game.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,15793743%255E19771,00.html