Burning questions for 2013: RichmondBy Ben Hocking
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Source: BigPond SportCan the Tigers make the finals?After an eternity in the wilderness, Tigers' supporters have become more confident than ever about the upcoming season – which is great for the competition. Fortunately, we won't have to wait long at all to see whether the hype is justified or just forlorn hope, as the club's round one match against Carlton always provides a perfect barometer of the season ahead. Ever since the match was made a regular fixture to start the season, the Tigers have been mercilessly thrashed and the season has petered away from there.
If the Tigers are going to make it all the way to September, they need to get over this hoodoo and make a statement in round one. Fortunately, they look well placed to break their drought for a number of reasons. Firstly, Carlton will be trying to implement a new Michael Malthouse strategy, leaving them vulnerable, but more importantly, the Tigers have strengthened their defence in the off-season by signing Troy Chaplin. Carlton's forwards have crucified Richmond's defence in the past and it was one of the Tigers’ biggest weaknesses last season, so this should hold them in good stead, especially given the potential for natural improvement from the likes of Dylan Grimes. Richmond's midfielders are finally a match for Carlton's stars, so it seems the Tigers are ready to start the season on the right note, which will give them the confidence they need for the rest of 2013.
Can Dusty Martin avoid trouble?Richmond's best young player is unfortunately the one that threatens to cause the club the most damage off field. When he was drinking with Daniel Connors last year and then took sleeping pills, he survived, while Connors got the boot. Granted, it was Martin's first official off-field discretion with the club, but they had been concerned with his behaviour well before that moment.
The news during the off-season hasn't been good, with reports the club doesn't think his conduct has improved since his suspension last year. The Tigers are doing everything they can to try and get him to knuckle down, including counselling and talking tough, but it doesn't seem to be getting through. Development coach Mark Williams has been tasked with trying to get him to change his ways and the club has even put off contract talks to try and encourage him to behave.
We reckon more trouble is inevitable; whether it is bad enough for the Tigers to cast aside one of their most promising players is the question that remains.
Will the Tigers ever win at Cazaly Stadium?Nobody would have thought that Gold Coast's first real rivalry in the competition (aside from the Q-Clash with the Brisbane Lions) would come against Richmond, and if they did they wouldn't have thought it would be because of Richmond's inability to get over the line against one of the competition's newest franchises.
CEO Brendon Gale will be glad this is the final year of the three-year contract to play the Suns at Cazaly Stadium, but it is also the last chance the Tigers will get to break their unbelievable hoodoo and stop the whole exercise looking like a huge mistake. Unfortunately, while we think the Tigers will manage to finish in the top eight this year, there is nothing to suggest they will ever beat the Suns in Cairns, especially given the significant improvement expected from Gold Coast this year.
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