Ugly deja vu for turnover Tigers ... (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

Ugly deja vu for turnover Tigers

Herald-Sun
5 April 2016

SAME old Richmond, same old problems.

Two rounds into the season the Tigers are experiencing an ugly case of deja vu.

The all-too-familiar skill errors and the galling, late-game meltdowns this side should have left behind a long time ago have resurfaced.

Richmond has gone from the keepings-off kings of 2015 to the turnover merchants of 2016.

When the Tigers were battling at 2-4 last season something happened — they started to control the ball in a Hawthorn-like manner.

From Round 7 to the elimination final, the Tigers conceded only 69.1 points a game (ranked 2nd) and allowed the opposition to score from only 43.5 per cent of their inside 50s (1st).

But most telling in that resurgence was the damage limitation. The Tigers coughed up only 35.9 points per game from turnovers (1st) and 18.8 points from turnovers committed in their defensive half (1st).

Compare that to Richmond’s opening two matches of 2016 where it has given up 43 points a game from defensive half turnovers — ranked 15th. The Tigers are also committing 29.5 defensive half turnovers a game — ranked 16th.

They were fortunate against Carlton and got what they deserved against Collingwood. Where has the poise gone?

Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric and Shane Edwards are significant absentees, but it’s the ball use and decision making out of defence that has re-emerged as an issue.

Chris Yarran was part of the solution, but is injured. Brandon Ellis has been moved back to fill the void, but the midfield misses his run and finishing.

According to Champion Data’s kick rating, which considers degree of difficulty, pressure and the location of the intended target, only Ellis, Alex Rance and Nick Vlastuin are considered above average of the defensive group.

Bachar Houli is rated average, while Steven Morris (below average), Taylor Hunt (below average) and Dylan Grimes (poor) all struggle.

It came to a head on Friday night against the Pies in a defeat that evoked memories of that 2012 after-the-siren loss to Gold Coast and what Paul Roos described as “the worst 47 seconds” in footy.

A catalogue of decision-making and skill errors saw them cough up a 16-point lead with nine minutes to play and an 11-point lead with two minutes to go.

Jack Riewoldt called them “mental mistakes”, Trent Cotchin spoke of the need to “simplify the game” and Astbury told SEN Radio: “I’m not really sure what the coaches really wanted in the last few minutes”.

Astbury clarified that on Monday, but while he said the Tigers did have the late-game answers, they simply didn’t provide them at the death.

Richmond has played catch-up the last two seasons to make finals and certainly can’t afford a repeat if they want top-four.

But lose to a rampant Adelaide and West Coast (away) in the next fortnight and it will be another case of history-repeating.

LOSING IT

Turnovers are hurting Richmond in 2016

2015 — Round 7 to elimination final

Points against: 69.1 (2nd)

Opposition inside 50s: 48 (4th)

Points conceded from turnovers: 35.9 (1st)

Points conceded from def. half turnovers: 18.8 (1st)

2016 — Rounds 1-2

Points against: 85 (7th)

Opposition inside 50s: 54.5 (11th)

Points conceded from turnovers: 62.5 (14th)

Points conceded from def. half turnovers: 43 (15th)

And waiting on Saturday ... ADELAIDE

Forward half turnovers to score: 53.6% (1st)

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmonds-skill-errors-leading-to-galling-lategame-meltdowns-and-crucial-losses/news-story/361295cadf04568d793cd422191cfbb5

[lamington]

"According to Champion Data’s kick rating, which considers degree of difficulty, pressure and the location of the intended target, only Ellis, Alex Rance and Nick Vlastuin are considered above average of the defensive group."

Surely not Ellis. He never goes for difficult kicks!!!!! This man is not Sam Mitchell

[mat073]

This really is Deja vu .

Stinking up the joint by playing unwatchable football.  The type of football that sees a team slip to 2-4 or a even worse 3-10 .

An over reliance on Deledio and Maric . Second tier players not stepping up. First round draft picks stagnating.

Questions being asked about on field leadership.

A gulf between our best and worst football.

For once I thought we could enter the season up and running.  But no , this is Richmond.
 
Be a massive surprise if we can trouble Adelaide this weekend , then Perth next weekend . Hello 1-3

[TigerLand]

It all comes down to lack of leadership direction both on field and off field.

Cotchin becoming whipping boy. Yet no other captains get the treatment he gets. Ablett wasn't mentioned for being a poor leader when GC were getting thrashed early days. Shannon Hurn captained a losing team in a GF and didn't bark a yelp in the reply. Doesn't get slaughtered.

Problem is the whole group and coaching group clearly lack leadership direction. Cotchin included. Playing leadership group included. Coaching group included.

Players making same dumb mistakes, too simple to blame the one act, how many times did we turn the ball over choosing wrong option? Plenty. Where are the team rules? Why aren't they being followed? Issue is coaching group being too friendly and not holding players accountable. All well and good to name Grigg for playing on in dying stages but he'll play next week. All well and good to call out Houli for his brain fade against Freo last year but he played the following week. No accountability it's all too friendly at RFC. No strong leaders in playing group or in coaches box.

[Diocletian]

Reckon Jake King should've been made captain after Newman for a year or two before handing it to Cotchin.

[(•))(©™]

Thoughts?


1. Backline; generally poor kickers apart from Houli. There is no natural general down there. (eg, Dale Morris, Nick Maxwell, Shannon Hurn, Josh Gibson) added to poor kicking, they have no leg speed to run out. (eg, Bob Murphy,
Midfield;Young leaders are stars, but not natural leaders. 2nd tier midfielders kick the ball appallingly. (Conca, Grigg, Townsend)
Role players; they don't have defined roles. Hunt has to use his leg speed and carry the ball and 75% of the time he should  handball. Townsend be a bull, but don't let him kick the thing.
Ruck; Nice bloke but generally is below par-Shaun Hampson.
Maric is the natural leader of the midfield, but is getting jumped over in recent times by taller younger opponents.
Fwds; Jack ✔️
Vickery is not physical and his footy IQ is about 4/10
Griffith can catch it and kick it, but not much else.
You are too top heavy up fwd also. Most teams run it away too easily. Hence a journeyman like Lloyd gets a gig. Rioli's run down tackling was great in round 1, but a rarity for Tigers.
You can be up for the hunt (v Hawks) but soft when you are hunted.
Cotchin plays his best footy when he is willing to risk his health and play physical.
Deledio gives you leg speed and few others step up for him when absent. Although Lambert has already gone past Conca....!