The Tackle: Richmond flops again on the big stage Mark Robinson
Herald Sun
May 27, 2013 RICHMOND didn't dare win.
No confidence, no run and playing safe football leads to turnovers, which sums up the Tigers in big games.
They were desperately disappointing against Essendon in the Dreamtime at the 'G.
The Bombers played close to the complete game: defensively strong at the man and covering space, and dominant in winning the ball in the midfield.
The final margin was 29 points. It felt like 59.
It was September football from James Hird's men and VFL standard from Damien Hardwick's.
There's an element of flat-track bully about the Tigers.
They've beaten Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda. The Demons, Dogs and Saints have won five games between them and Power is freefalling after an impressive start.
Richmond beat Carlton in Round 1 and got within a point of Fremantle at Subiaco.
Saturday night was to be a statement game. One was made: The Tigers aren't ready.
They needed dash and dare to break down Essendon's defence and what they offered was slow ball movement, presumably on instruction.
This time last year they were considered among the most devastating movers of the ball.
It would appear Hardwick has asked his men to play more tempo footy. Either that or the Tigers can't cope with the opposition's defensive strategies.
From a mark or free in the defensive half on Saturday night, the Tigers sent the ball lateral or backwards 38 per cent of the time, the third-highest percentage by any team this year. It's a trend.
Their past two games were similar: against Port Adelaide (35.6 per cent), against Melbourne (43.3).
Against the Demons and Power, they could swing the ball wide and back and then attack. Against Essendon, they hit brick walls.
Turnovers killed the Tigers. Their kicking efficiency in the defensive half was 69 per cent compared with Essendon's 83, and the Bombers scored 8.5 on Richmond's 44 turnovers, and the Tigers just 3.5 on Essendon's 33.
Skipper Trent Cotchin remains in so-so form, Tyrone Vickery sums up Richmond's plight with his inconsistency, Nathan Foley is playing like a man who missed two years of footy, Shaun Grigg doesn't hurt enough with possessions, and I'm struggling to convince myself Robin Nahas is in the best 22.
Jake King was down, Shane Edwards butchered the ball and Luke McGuane had little impact.
Ruckman Ivan Maric is not having the same effect as last year and the ruck separation rule might be hurting him. The second ruck spot is a huge issue.
Vickery is not cutting it, so maybe it's best to leave him as a key forward and play Orren Stephenson against West Coast's Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.
Aaron Edwards might be afforded a spot as the lead-up forward.
Herald Sun columnist Paul Roos implored the Tigers to tackle and 49 against the Bombers wasn't enough.
You can't win with four of your midfielders and your two half-back flankers producing low numbers.
The Tigers play the Eagles on Monday night and the whole country will be watching. Can they dare or will they be laid bare again?
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/the-tackle-richmond-flops-again-on-the-big-stage/story-fn81kcge-1226650956402
