Nathan Brown explains why Richmond is the real deal in season 2012 Nathan Brown
From: Herald Sun
June 30, 2012 THERE are 10 reasons the Richmond Football Club has emerged from the rubble of the past three decades and is being talked about as the real deal.
The top four are genuine superstars: Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt.
Paul Kelly, the great Australian singer-songwriter, wrote a song about Don Bradman and the lyrics went like this: "They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn, and in the hour of greatest slaughter, the great avenger is being born".
Very apt for the emerging Tigers.
1. TRENT COTCHINFOR Richmond, this could be the tune sung about Cotchin. Ever since he arrived at the club as the No.1 pick he has been the anointed one.
I wish I had been as mature as him at 21 - I may have been a better player.
I recently had the pleasure of spending time with him in Bali, and one night after dinner and a couple of beers he told me it was time to go home.
When I was 21 the prospect of going home that early didn't exist. We got on our scooters ready to ride off like tough men in the night and he turned to me and said, "Put your helmet on, mate, you've got a daughter now".
He's the most complete person I have seen enter a football club in my 14 years as a player, and in time he will go down as one of the greats. His biggest asset is he never loses a one-on-one contest. He should be the next captain.
2. BRETT DELEDIOA COUPLE of years back I said if Deledio played at Collingwood or Geelong, he would be talked about in the same regard as Scott Pendlebury and Joel Selwood.
It looks as though he may end up being talked about like that, but as a Richmond player. He's as measured as the 60m goals he kicks on the run and would still have the first dollar he earned framed on the wall.
Brett was asked by the coaching staff why he hung out with older players at the club and not his year's draftees. Some believed he thought he was above the other younger guys, but it wasn't the case.
His answer was simple: "I can learn more off the likes of (Matthew) Richardson and (Kane) Johnson, and playing football is what I am here for."
3. DUSTIN MARTINMARTIN got to the club the year I left and I would have loved to have played with him. For impact in a short space of time, he has no peer.
He has the rare combination of class and brute strength and is perhaps the most dangerous player on Richmond's list for opposition coaches.
He hurts you through the middle with his power, but as a forward he is as tough a match-up going around as he is all class at ground level and strong in the air. He reminds me a lot of Mark Riccuito.
He's got what I would call crazy eyes. You look into them and what you see coming back puts you on notice. He's different and he is raw, and that's a big asset. It's a rawness that says, "I've got nothing to lose".
I saw him dancing up a storm at Chris Newman's wedding, and he fell over a couple of times on the dance floor. One of the coaching staff turned to me and said, "That's the future of our footy club".
I would pay money to watch Dustin play footy in his backyard.
4. JACK RIEWOLDTYOU can't help but get excited about Jack Riewoldt (below).
He brings theatre and excitement to a game that is more and more about production-line players.
He lived with me when he first moved to Melbourne. We did personality testing in 2009 and there were four personalities: thinker, feeler, enforcer or a mozzie.
Jack's personality came back positive for a mozzie. I thought pest was more accurate.
A mozzie is a hyperactive personality with loads of energy who needs attention. Jack is the big show in the forward line, and when he needs to he has the necessary tools to prove it.
I'd love to see him play finals, as a guy like Jack can go to another level on the biggest of stages. He would soak up what some guys fear and tear it apart.
They are the superstars, but all of sudden the Tigers have depth, and they bat deeper than they ever have.
AS many people will tell you, it's not your top six that wins you a premiership, rather your players ranked 17 to 22.
...AND SIX OTHER KEYS TO SUCCESSThese are the remaining six reasons you should take Richmond seriously.
You can judge your 17-22 on how many would get a game for other teams and that's the nucleus of a strong list and club.
STEVEN MORRISPLAYS like he's been in the system for a decade and his hardness is a standout.
JAKE BATCHELORIS now taking the third tall forward and his rebound and direction out of the back end has been more than solid.
SHANE EDWARDSHIS move to the forward line has been a master stroke by Damien Hardwick. The game looks uncomplicated for him there and he looks like he belongs at AFL level.
JAKE KINGHE'S a real barometer of the side. When he plays well, the forward line functions well.
His in-your-face Popeye-tough-man style brings his teammates into the game. I gave him votes for worst on ground in the Dreamtime game for Triple M and I received a text while still on air: "You give me votes like that again and I will kick your teeth in."
We are great mates, but I think he meant it.
ALEX RANCEHAS become one of the most important players at the club and can tick off shutting down names like Lance Franklin and Travis Cloke.
SHANE TUCKSPENT parts of 2011 in the VFL, continues to defy his critics and is a contested footy beast and any coach would love his commitment to the contest.
ADD to this the inclusion of Ivan Maric; the ruckman the club has been screaming out for.
No one player has had a bigger influence on 2012 than Big Ivan. He has added a backbone to a young midfield and the players around him are reaping the benefits.
You get the feeling that this Richmond group is very different to the sides that for many years have been the butt of opposition jokes.
I've been there in the dark days and I know what failure feels like and I know what failure looks like and the group that presents itself now as the Richmond Football Club looks nothing like the group I was a part of.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/nathan-brown-explains-why-richmond-is-the-real-deal-in-season-2012/story-fnantfnw-1226412643377
