Pre-season report: TigersWILL BRODIE
March 23, 2010RICHMONDThe Tigers beat a heavily depleted Geelong, but their other performances were disjointed and, at times inept, as a new list tried to adapt to a new gameplan. However, there were several promising individuals who emerged from the painful process.
Results:NAB Cup round 1
Hawthorn 0.7.3 2.10.7 3.15.11 3.16.12 (135)
Richmond 0.1.1 0.2.1 0.4.2 0.9.8 (62)
NAB Challenge
Richmond 15.12 (102) d Geelong 7.9 (51) at Yea
Collingwood 11.24 (90) d Richmond 9.8 (62) at Visy Park
Essendon 23.9 (147) d Richmond 11.6 (72) at Morwell
New boys: Lead-up forward David Astbury was impressive in the heavy loss to Hawthorn before suffering a minor setback; utility Mitch Farmer and midfielder Ben Nason came under notice for their pace and application; tall forward flanker Troy Taylor showed flashes of the skill that made him a hot draft prospect; Jerome Webberley, Matt Dea and Dylan Grimes were played but will need time; number three national draft pick Dustin Martin was an instant hit on the ball, playing with the poise and hunger of a seasoned campaigner.
Flying: Ball-winner Dustin Martin is well built for a youngster, and his form demands that he start the season in the middle for the seniors; Daniel Connors looked to have sewn up a back flank role with hard running and good ball use; Jack Riewoldt, Robin Nahas and Mitch Morton continued to impress and improve as the basis of a youthful forward line, despite lacking opportunities; rookie Relton Roberts upstaged Troy Taylor with his exciting goals from half forward; Jake King, despite getting suspended, did his best to stay in the coach’s plans; Luke McGuane was aggressive and hard-running in the backline. Daniel Jackson looked fit and strong on the ball. David Gourdis showed some poise and skill in the backline.
Struggling: Ben Cousins saw little game time and was hospitalised twice with mysterious stomach pains; Will Thursfield, Kelvin Moore, Graham Polak, Jordan McMahon, Alex Rance and Adam Thomson failed to dazzle, despite their positions being far from assured. Nathan Foley has had ongoing ankle problems and did not play.
Who will actually play in round one? Richmond’s team is likely to change continually throughout the season as players are assessed by a new coach trying to mould a team in his own image. But first off, it appears likely ruckman Angus Graham, appearing bigger and stronger in 2010, will play alongside veteran Troy Simmonds, with third tall Tyrone Vickery to start as a target in attack. Relton Roberts has earned a game with his good pre-season, which may cost fellow forward Troy Taylor an early chance to show his wares. Midfielders Troy Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ben Cousins, Daniel Jackson and Richard Tambling represent the strength of the team and pick themselves, but Shane Tuck, despite still winning plenty of the ball, appears to be under pressure. On the fringes, perhaps Dean Polo, Shane Edwards, Matthew White and Ben Nason have their heads in front of Jayden Post, Tom Hislop, Alex Rance, but with a new coach the initial line-up is very difficult to predict, and most should get a look-in at some point.
Pre-season rating: 4/10. It is all about the long-term and big picture for Richmond, so the coaches will point to the encouraging form of new kids as the most important factor coming out of this period. But let’s hope the mistake-riddled, indecisive style presented during these practice matches has been purged, and a more cohesive unit will emerge during the season proper.
Best team (excluding long-term injuries)
B: Connors Thursfield Newman
HB: White McGuane Moore
C: Tambling Deledio Cotchin
HF: Polo Riewoldt Nahas
F: Taylor Morton Vickery
R: Graham Martin Cousins
I: Simmonds Edwards Nason Post
Emerg: Farmer Tuck Roberts
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/preseason-report-tigers-20100322-qpp1.html
