Richmond's best to come Tony Sheahan
Sunday Herald Sun
March 27, 2010 11:47PMWE can get better - that is the prediction from Richmond captain Chris Newman following Thursday night's 56-point loss to Carlton.
The Tigers skipper was confident the worst was behind them despite a Round 2 clash with pre-season premiers the Western Bulldogs to come.
"Yes, definitely we can (get better). We've got heaps of scope for improvement," he said.
"Across the board we can get better. Our defensive pressure is the thing that will win us games. It's the little things that add up in the end, so once we get those right it will build and snowball."
"It was definitely frustrating. You always want to get off to a good start, particularly with a young group. All we can do now is move on and not dwell on it."
Newman had an off night with only 11 possessions, well down on his usual tally. He denied he was carrying an injury.
"Nah, no injury. I just couldn't find the footy. It was a disappointing game for a lot of us," he said.
Debutantes Ben Nason, Dustin Martin, Relton Roberts and Mitch Farmer showed some good signs at times on Thursday night.
Newman defended the decision to play Ben Cousins following a two-night hospital stay in the lead-up to the game.
"He was definitely fit to play. He contributed really well and definitely put his hand up," the skipper said.
Cousins finished with one goal, 19 disposals and 1 tackle.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmonds-best-to-come/story-e6frf9jf-1225846410937
