Lots to do, but there's hope at Richmond
Mark Robinson | March 13, 2009
AS ALWAYS, with Richmond, where do you start? Terry Wallace? Richo? Benny boy's return? Trent Cotchin's achilles?
Jordan McMahon's brain-fades? The improving defence? Jack Riewoldt's potential? Richard Tambling's, um, hmm, well - just Richard Tambling?
They all bring a mixture of baggage, hope and love for a club traditionally big on baggage, hope and love.
All roads lead to Punt Rd this year in what will be a defining season for so many at the club, not least the coach.
Wallace's five-year plan is at its end and depending on what happens over the next 22 weeks or so, either Wallace's career will be over or he will get a contract extension. It's that black and white.
President Gary March has said it won't depend on the win-loss record, but how can it not?
Richmond finished ninth last year and anything less this year is a concern for Wallace.
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So, it would seem, it's finals or bust.
Thankfully for Wallace, he has a team capable of playing in September.
There are holes, but there are plenty of plusses as well.
The deficiencies, not in order or significance, include:
NOT having a power key forward to aid Riewoldt, Joel Bowden and Mitch Morton.
NEEDING a more potent ruck division.
NEEDING more consistent pressure on the opposition, ie, tackling.
HAVING too many players who, although capable of winning the ball, struggle to keep it.
The Tigers can be great one day and miserable the next and when they lose, more often than not turnovers are the killer.
To try to emulate Hawthorn and Geelong and their zones and "play-on" football, the crucial element is foot skills, so the Tigers need more consistency in delivery and decision-making from some of their ball carriers and ball winners.
But not all of them.
The midfield looks good: Ben Cousins, best-and-fairest winner and potential league elite Brett Deledio, the undervalued Shane Tuck (not at the club, mind you), the enormous willpower and energy of Nathan Foley, a run-with player in Daniel Jackson, plus Kane Johnson, Matthew White, occasionally Nathan Brown and Richo of course will give the Tigers a chance in every game.
Cotchin will join that group and he has a coolness and awareness about him that Richmond needs.
Where Tambling fits in is an issue. Not a big accumulator - he had three 20-plus possession games last year from 22 outings - he did, however, average 17.5 touches.
Ten goals last season doesn't make him a major forward threat, either.
Tigers fans can ease up on the kid, too. The club drafted him and missed on Lance Franklin: get over it.
Tambling, remember, has improved in each of his four seasons at Punt Rd and, at just 22, has plenty of time on his side.
Recruit Adam Thomson has a ton of heart which has pleased Wallace and if it comes down to a coin toss at selection, Thomson should always win more than he loses.
Troy Simmonds will be the No. 1 ruckman again and he will give everything he's got. If Angus Graham can fill the No. 2 spot and allow Adam Pattison to play as a key forward, the Tigers have a better structure.
Riewoldt looks bigger and stronger, but is best suited to play second or third tall.
If Pattison can slot in beside him, with Bowden and Morton coming from the square, Riewoldt could be in for a very solid season.
Richardson will float between forward and midfield and will be a threat in either position.
Nathan Brown is a star, but he needs good supply - unlike the NAB Cup game against Collingwood when he continually had the ball put on his head -- to use his wonderful skills.
The defence has been Richmond's big improver over the past 18 months.
Will Thursfield, Luke McGuane and Kelvin Moore will take the big guys, and Chris Newman, Andrew Raines, Dean Polo, Jordan McMahon and undoubtedly Bowden at times will mop up about them.
The new skipper is a rebounding giant and can use the ball, but the same can't always be said of McMahon. He simply has to get better with his ball use.
Raines looks healthy and provides dash and long kicking, but he must also be precise, and Wallace seems to have earmarked Polo as a defender which, after the NAB Cup campaign, looks a winning decision.
The Tigers have reasonable depth, too. A best team couldn't find spots for Edwards, White, Connors, Thomson, Rance, Pattison, Hughes, King, Pettifer, Schulz and Nahas.
Mark Coughlan wasn't named after two years out with a double knee reconstruction.
For him, like Richmond, it will be a case of wait and see.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25178636-19742,00.html
