If you could turn back time: Your club's big regretsJennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
31 Aug 2018RICHMONDDropping four matches interstateFirstly, it's not easy to nit-pick the season of the team that won 18 games and finished on top of the ladder. But looking back at the first four of their five interstate trips, they'd probably wish they'd won a couple more to remove any traces of an "away from home hoodoo" ahead of finals. A loss to Hawthorn next week and a West Coast win over Collingwood will see the Tigers head to Perth for a preliminary final should they win their semi. All of a sudden, losing four games outside of Victoria – including one to the Eagles at Optus Stadium – could mean something above the shoulders when it matters most.
The mid-season management of Bachar HouliHouli injured his groin in round 10 against St Kilda and didn't play at AFL level again until round 17. His return was short-lived when he aggravated the injury against Greater Western Sydney, which forced him into a kind of mini pre-season with the club unsure of just how it would respond as he ramped up training. The 30-year-old's summer training was interrupted, which may have contributed to his inability to shake the lingering issue. He returned to the side in round 21 and appears to be through the worst of it now, but if they had their time again, perhaps they'd treat the initial injury differently.
Alex Rance's comments on Tom LynchIt's refreshing to see a club encouraging its players to have an opinion, but Rance's comments about the "big tuna" potentially "upsetting the apple cart" could make for an awkward introduction if the rumours are true and Lynch is bound for Punt Road. Rance was talking about the ripples an arrival like Lynch could make after years of considered list management, and also pondered out loud what the Tigers' structure would look with the big forward up front. – Jennifer Phelan
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-29/if-you-could-turn-back-time-your-clubs-big-regrets
