Tiger returns to the fray
By Jon Ralph
February 08, 2008
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23179284-23211,00.htmlRICHMOND onballer Mark Coughlan began his comeback from successive knee reconstructions in a solid intra-club hitout.
In a clash made difficult by a strong cross-winds, Coughlan eased back into competitive football for the first time since mid-2006.
He collected his first handball within seconds of entering the fray early in the opening quarter, and while he is likely to miss next Friday's NAB Cup clash against St Kilda, it was an encouraging return.
A crowd of up to 2000 at Moama saw strong performances from established stars Matthew Richardson (two goals), Kane Johnson, and Brett Deledio.
But it was the wave of emerging youngsters - and an injury-free clash - that had coach Terry Wallace bullish after the match.
Jarrod Oakley-Nicholls surged constantly off half-back, ex-Eagle Mitch Morton was excellent up forward, rookie Clayton Collard snared three crumbing goals and third-year midfielder Travis Casserly showed plenty of dash from defence.
A leaner Jack Riewoldt found space up forward, while Jay Schulz was excellent in the first half at centre half-back.
Graham Polak was played as a key forward, Shane Tuck spent time as a mobile centre half-back, and Troy Simmonds moved well after having a blood clot on his lung last year.
Wallace said the club would play a full-strength line-up against the Saints, who are likely to have as many as 10 stars out.
Wallace, who is yet to win a NAB Cup clash in his three years with Richmond, said if his players were fit, he would play them.
Forward Nathan Brown will play next week after missing the trial match, while Richard Tambling is likely to return after rolling an ankle last week.
"We will play our best side we have available. Where that takes us, we will wait and see," Wallace said.
"It's still a practice match series and I don't get too concerned if the results don't go your way, but we would like to have a bold showing.
"We would like to show we are up and running and ready to go."
Wallace predicted Oakley-Nicholls - a No. 8 draft pick in 2005 - would silence some critics this season.
"I thought he showed some real signs of taking another step," he said.
"This competition is amazing. The expectations on players are so large so quickly.
"People have started wondering where he is at and whether he's going to make it, but he's 20 years of age and hasn't done a pre-season until this summer.
"We are really confident with where he's going."
Wallace is unfazed by the interchange restrictions for the NAB Cup, but said allowing clubs unlimited changes during quarter-time breaks would have silenced any complaints.
Wallace will play rookies Tristan Cartledge, Jarrod Silvester and goalsneak Collard in the NAB Cup to gauge their chances of a mid-season elevation.
Wallace is realistic about Coughlan's return to AFL football.
"He will play when he is ready. We won't see him next week, but certainly we will keep progressing him along as the NAB Cup series goes," Wallace said.
"He is still finding his footing and all he wants to do is be out there."
