Lade's post-match media conference:
VIDEO:
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Tiger cubs keeping the pressure on, says Lade AFL.com.au
February 28, 2016WHILE some of Richmond's biggest guns drove the Tigers' thumping 71-point win over Hawthorn, assistant coach Brendon Lade found another major positive with the club's exciting cubs keeping the pressure on for spots leading into round one.
Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Alex Rance all returned for their first NAB Challenge hit-out with immediate effect at Beaconsfield, as the Tigers romped to a 1.15.5 (104) to 0.4.9 (33) victory over the understrength Hawks.
But the Tigers' spread of talent – particularly in attack – was on full display, with Ben Lennon (three goals), Connor Menadue (two) Daniel Rioli (one) and project key forward Mabior Chol all impressing.
"Rioli showed a little bit up forward again and had a hand in a couple of goals, which is great," Lade said post-match.
"Lennon played as a key forward and kicked three goals, even Chol running into an open goal and missing it – that was great. Just for a bit of excitement, though, with what he can do.
"To have that speed, agility and athleticism that he's got, you don't find that very often. So we know he's a long way away yet, but he did show some very good signs today."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-27/tiger-cubs-keeping-the-pressure-on-says-ladeLade was delighted with Richmond’s performance against Hawthorn yesterday, but was not getting carried away with the result, given the opposition had so many of their best 22 out of the side.
“We identified a few areas we were poor at last week (against Fremantle) and we fixed a few of them this week,” he said.
“Obviously, Hawthorn were pretty undermanned today, they had a few premiership stars out. Cyril (Rioli) played 30 per cent of the game. We are under no illusions that they were nowhere near full strength.”
Lade said Jack Riewoldt set the scene with a significant first quarter, revealing that the star forward had to be held back from playing against the Dockers last week.
“He always wants to play, he is a competitive animal,” he said. “His first quarter probably set us up and he was pretty good up the ground.
“All the guys that came back did a job for us today. Dustin mixed between the midfield and up forward, he did some good things. It was a pity that he didn’t kick a couple of goals.”
The final NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on March 10 would see a side that would closely resemble the likely Round 1 team to take on Carlton in less than a month.
But Lade stressed there were still a few positions left to be determined.
The coaching staff were encouraged by the performances of Daniel Rioli, Menadue and Lennon, as well as the efforts shown by rookies Oleg Markov and project player Mabior Chol.
“We have had a really good pre-season, all of us, as a group,” he said. “We haven’t had any injuries touch wood and we got through today without any injuries. We are building towards Round 1.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-is-confident-interchange-cap-reduction-will-benefit-club-this-season/news-story/e361c3714f890556dad1137a7aab32b9
