Tigers can still get better: Grigg (Age)

[one-eyed]

Tigers can still get better: Grigg

Jon Pierik
The Age
22 July 2018

Richmond veteran Shaun Grigg says the Tigers can still get better as they prepare for next Saturday's blockbuster against Collingwood.

Grigg was his typically busy self with 21 disposals in the 54-point win over St Kilda on Friday night, a win all but secured when the Tigers dashed to a 32-point buffer by the first change.

Richmond remain on top of the ladder and have tremendous depth, a point coach Damien Hardwick reinforced after the win.

Grigg said a strong VFL side meant there was pressure on the senior stars to perform, heading into the pivotal part of the campaign.

"Our VFL side is on top of the ladder. Everyone is playing well. It's a good place. Hopefully, we can take the opportunities - there is a lot of pressure from the VFL," he said.

"We play the same way - when guys get their opportunity it is no different. They are expected to do the same stuff they have in the VFL."

Hardwick said it was important those players battling for a senior spot remained on high alert. The Tigers had made three changes heading into the Saints' clash, losing Bachar Houli (groin) and dropping Shai Bolton and Corey Ellis.

"We have got some guys that are playing really good footy at VFL level. Players like Sam Lloyd, Anthony Miles, Tyson Stengle kicked six goals last week and I can't get a game into [them]," Hardwick said.

"We know that if we have some injuries or slight concerns they can come in and play a role for me which is a great place to be. It's hard on those guys, no doubt, they all want to be playing senior footy but Jacob Townsend is a really good example last year where you look at him ...'Towner' by his own accord had an Airtasker account set up doing odd jobs, but all of a sudden he becomes a premiership player. You never know when it's your turn."

As the Tigers ramp up their intensity ahead of what they hope will be successive premierships, Grigg said it was important they maintained an aggressive ethos. The Tigers emerged from a mid-table pack to claim a breakthrough flag last year but this campaign have become the hunted.

"We have shown in games this year that if we don't come out and be the hunters then we are just an average football team. It doesn't matter who we play or where we play, we want to come out and play our way," Grigg said.

"We have given ourselves a chance. We played our best footy last in the year last year, so we are under no illusions any team can pop up and do that. We have got to keep improving."

That "way" Grigg spoke about involves a strong offensive and defensive mentality, something midfielder Dion Prestia continues to impress teammates and coaches with. Prestia has been in superb touch since returning to the side from a calf problem, having 24 disposals against Sydney, 28 against Adelaide, 29 against Greater Western Sydney and 26 against the Saints, including a career-high three goals.

Hardwick praised Prestia's willingness to help in defence.

"He has got the ability, I remember speaking to him when we were trying to recruit him, there are not many players who can run both ways as good as Dion. His offensive running his outstanding but his ability to cover the ground defensively is as good as anyone I have seen. That's the pleasing thing for us," he said.

"Our strength and conditioning staff have done a great job with him, allowing him to come through at his own time. Once again, Dion was a really important player for us last year and we always knew he was going to be better for the pre-season and the run again. He has already shown us just how good a player he is. He just complements us so well, we are very lucky to have him and [Josh] Caddy and these type of players add to our mix."

The Tigers were beaten 37-31 in clearances by the Saints, although their set-up behind the ball helps to negate an opposition attack and regularly contributes to quickly regaining possession. Grigg, though, wants better results at the stoppages.

"We need to get better at winning the ball at stoppages. We are probably lucky that we have some incredible backs there that help win the ball," he said.

"We still have a lot of work to do. We feel our best footy could be in front of us again."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-can-still-get-better-grigg-20180721-p4zssj.html

[georgies31]

Tigers can still get better: Grigg

Jon Pierik
The Age
22 July 2018

Richmond veteran Shaun Grigg says the Tigers can still get better as they prepare for next Saturday's blockbuster against Collingwood.

Grigg was his typically busy self with 21 disposals in the 54-point win over St Kilda on Friday night, a win all but secured when the Tigers dashed to a 32-point buffer by the first change.

Richmond remain on top of the ladder and have tremendous depth, a point coach Damien Hardwick reinforced after the win.

Grigg said a strong VFL side meant there was pressure on the senior stars to perform, heading into the pivotal part of the campaign.

"Our VFL side is on top of the ladder. Everyone is playing well. It's a good place. Hopefully, we can take the opportunities - there is a lot of pressure from the VFL," he said.

"We play the same way - when guys get their opportunity it is no different. They are expected to do the same stuff they have in the VFL."

Hardwick said it was important those players battling for a senior spot remained on high alert. The Tigers had made three changes heading into the Saints' clash, losing Bachar Houli (groin) and dropping Shai Bolton and Corey Ellis.

"We have got some guys that are playing really good footy at VFL level. Players like Sam Lloyd, Anthony Miles, Tyson Stengle kicked six goals last week and I can't get a game into [them]," Hardwick said.

"We know that if we have some injuries or slight concerns they can come in and play a role for me which is a great place to be. It's hard on those guys, no doubt, they all want to be playing senior footy but Jacob Townsend is a really good example last year where you look at him ...'Towner' by his own accord had an Airtasker account set up doing odd jobs, but all of a sudden he becomes a premiership player. You never know when it's your turn."

As the Tigers ramp up their intensity ahead of what they hope will be successive premierships, Grigg said it was important they maintained an aggressive ethos. The Tigers emerged from a mid-table pack to claim a breakthrough flag last year but this campaign have become the hunted.

"We have shown in games this year that if we don't come out and be the hunters then we are just an average football team. It doesn't matter who we play or where we play, we want to come out and play our way," Grigg said.

"We have given ourselves a chance. We played our best footy last in the year last year, so we are under no illusions any team can pop up and do that. We have got to keep improving."

That "way" Grigg spoke about involves a strong offensive and defensive mentality, something midfielder Dion Prestia continues to impress teammates and coaches with. Prestia has been in superb touch since returning to the side from a calf problem, having 24 disposals against Sydney, 28 against Adelaide, 29 against Greater Western Sydney and 26 against the Saints, including a career-high three goals.

Hardwick praised Prestia's willingness to help in defence.

"He has got the ability, I remember speaking to him when we were trying to recruit him, there are not many players who can run both ways as good as Dion. His offensive running his outstanding but his ability to cover the ground defensively is as good as anyone I have seen. That's the pleasing thing for us," he said.

"Our strength and conditioning staff have done a great job with him, allowing him to come through at his own time. Once again, Dion was a really important player for us last year and we always knew he was going to be better for the pre-season and the run again. He has already shown us just how good a player he is. He just complements us so well, we are very lucky to have him and [Josh] Caddy and these type of players add to our mix."

The Tigers were beaten 37-31 in clearances by the Saints, although their set-up behind the ball helps to negate an opposition attack and regularly contributes to quickly regaining possession. Grigg, though, wants better results at the stoppages.

"We need to get better at winning the ball at stoppages. We are probably lucky that we have some incredible backs there that help win the ball," he said.

"We still have a lot of work to do. We feel our best footy could be in front of us again."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-can-still-get-better-grigg-20180721-p4zssj.html

That bit winning the ball at stoppages is true need to get better at  that alot better.

[Rampsation]

I agree and we have to get better. We are a little off at the moment. I thought we were going to bury St Kilda but didn't. I want to see
an annihilation in the next few weeks. A signal we are on and ready to defend the crown at all costs. Its up to the players now.