Putting the season into perspective11:29:16 AM Thu 2 June, 2005
Richmond coach Terry Wallace
richmondfc.com.au
With the serious injury suffered by Nathan Brown at Telstra Dome last Friday night, it’s probably the right time for all of us at Richmond to sit back and think about exactly where we are after 10 rounds of the 2005 season.
Our 7-3 result at this stage has been extremely pleasing for everyone involved in the Club. Yet, in saying that, we’re still most likely five wins away from playing finals football this year, so there remains much work to be done. Many in the media have seen the injury to ‘Browny’ as being the end of the journey for the Tigers this season. On the other hand, as the senior coach of the Club, I see it as a genuine opportunity to find out what others within the group are really made of, and whose character will shine through.
At the start of the year, our objective was to be competitive and more free flowing and high scoring. Anyone who has watched our football during the season would struggle to disagree that we have been able to achieve both these aims. Our aims do not change regardless of ladder position, win/loss in any month, or injuries. They are a constant in season 2005 and will only be reassessed at the end of the year.
The team’s running ability and scoring rate has actually been down for the last three weeks. In terms of filling the void created by the loss of Nathan, it is our ability to structure up a game style which attacks our offensive region and places pressure on the opposition, that will create the goals, rather than individuals. The team plan has always been to have a structure in place which is not individually driven, and will hold up regardless of personnel.
Obviously, you need some luck with injuries, and this season we already have had six bone fractures to players on our list, alongside David Rodan’s knee reconstruction. So, don’t believe those who tell you we’ve had a good run with injuries because they are only looking for excuses why the Tigers have improved.
From a match committee perspective, all our planning will be around creating an average of three goals per game from Nathan’s position on the field as a deep forward. We will provide the opportunity for players to rotate through this position, rather than set a challenge for one person.
Why is it that Collingwood at its best could win without Buckley, or that Port Adelaide coped so well without Primus and Francou last year? It’s simply that if the mindset of a group of 22 footballers is switched on, they will overcome any individual setback. If we get our game structure up and running, as it was four weeks ago, and can regularly distribute the ball inside our forward 50, it will result in goals. And, if they are spread and shared, even better, as it is far more unpredictable for the opposition to counter.
On Saturday afternoon we return to the MCG for a home game against the West Coast Eagles, and I’m just looking forward to our supporters taking a very positive attitude into this challenge. The last time we played a Western Australian club on the MCG all Richmond people were at their best – our players came to the party and our supporters were in full voice. This time around, we are coming up against the best team in the land at this stage of the season. I’m hoping that all Tigers come out in force, we show a united front, and let the West Coast Eagles know that Richmond saves its very best for home.
The team has three weeks until the mid-year break, and I believe they are as important as any three matches we’ve had for a long time – not purely based on results, but simply how we handle ourselves under pressure. I’m looking for a strong, passionate, united front from everyone who has the Yellow and Black coursing through their veins.
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