Brendon Lade media conference Sept. 5 / Titch back; Newy faces test

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VIDEO: Brendon Lade's presser today ...

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2013-09-05/lade-press-conference-5th-september

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Richmond veteran Chris Newman could miss Sunday's elimination final

    Rebecca Williams
    Herald Sun
    September 05, 2013 2:42PM

RICHMOND will see how veteran Chris Newman comes through this afternoon’s main training session before making a final call on his selection for Sunday’s elimination final against Carlton.

But the Tigers are confident Newman will be cleared to play and break football’s longest individual finals drought.

Newman, who has played a record 232 games without appearing in a final, joined his teammates for training in the rain at Punt Road Oval this afternoon.

He has missed the past three matches with an ankle injury.

The Tigers are also confident spearhead Jack Riewoldt, who was also out on the track, (back/knee) will be fit to take on the Blues.

Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade said Newman had one last hurdle to clear at training today.

"Hopefully he gets through training and Chris gets a good result and gets through and he can play on Sunday,’’ Lade said.

"We’ll have to wait and see at training but he trained well on Tuesday and had the weekend off obviously so we’ll think he’ll be up.

"Obviously that record hanging over his head hasn’t been nice for him.

"But he was desperate to play last week and he made the decision not to play and gave himself another week and if he trains well today he will probably come him.’’

On Riewoldt, Lade said: "Jack is the same he probably could have played last week at a squeeze,’’ Lade said.

"I think his knee is looking really good as well and I’m sure he’ll be fine for this week.’’

With a Sunday game, Lade said the Tigers could name a team and give players until the last minute to get up if needed, but expected the final call to be made today.

"We’ve got that luxury up our sleeve playing on a Sunday,’’ he said.

"With Coburg not playing we don’t have to carry anyone over. So all our emergencies won’t play and are ready to go.

"They have got to the last minute, but I think it will be called on today anyway. ‘’

There appears more doubt over Matt White, who is battling a hamstring injury.

"He’ll do a little bit (today) and we’ll see how he pulls up from that and whether he trains on Saturday to give him every possible chance of playing on Sunday,’’ Lade said.

"At this stage we will have to wait and see what he is like today.’’

Lade said the Tigers were preparing for Blues star Chris Judd to play.

"We’ll prepare for him to play and put some time and effort into that,’’ Lade said.

"If he plays on the day we’ll have some contingencies in place and if he doesn’t, well it’s better for us I suppose.’’

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-veteran-chris-newman-could-miss-sundays-elimination-final/story-fnia6oop-1226711589817

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AFL Tigers face emotional test
Greg Buckle
AAP
14:01 AEST Thu Sep 5 2013


After missing out on AFL finals action for more than a decade, Richmond will face a tough challenge on Sunday to keep their emotions in check in front of a massive crowd in their elimination final against Carlton at the MCG.

Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade says the scheduling of the first week of the finals series adds to the pressure-cooker atmosphere for the Tigers.

"That's a hard one, especially (as) the last game on a Sunday is always the hardest because you watch every other final and you just can't wait to get out there," Lade told reporters on Thursday.

"Our boys have waited a long time for this moment (since 2001).

"It has been built up in the media by you guys and the fans have been waiting a long long time.

"Everyone's very excited. It's a bit like round one for us (when Richmond beat Carlton by five points).

"We had 80,000 in round one. It's a pretty similar feeling, a pretty similar build-up.

"There's a lot more on the line though. If you lose, you're out."

Lade said he expected key forward Jack Riewoldt (back) and ex-skipper Chris Newman (ankle) to be named in the squad for Sunday's knockout clash.

Newman has played 232 games including no finals for the Tigers and has been out of action for the past three rounds.

"Hopefully he gets through training and Chris gets a good result ... and he can play on Sunday," Lade said.

"He trained well on Tuesday and had the weekend off so we think he'll be right.

"That record (most games played by a VFL/AFL player without taking part in a finals match) hanging over his head hasn't been nice for him.

"He was desperate to play last week but he made the decision not to play and gave himself another week.

"If he trains well (on Thursday) and gets through, he'll probably come in."

Lade says the Richmond-Carlton rivalry adds to the sense of occasion.

"It's going to be great for the fans on the day to have a full house at the MCG. It's a good experience for everyone out there," Lade said.

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8718460
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-sport/afl-tigers-face-emotional-test-20130905-2t74g.html

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Edwards set to boost Tigers
By Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
2:14pm AEST Thursday, September 5, 2013

SHANE Edwards shapes as a significant inclusion for Richmond in Sunday's elimination final against Carlton, after missing the round 21 clash between the rivals with a hamstring injury.

Edwards returns from a one-match suspension this week and is certain to boost the Tigers midfield depth as well as their half-forward line.

The 24-year-old has only played one of the last four games because of the injury and suspension setbacks, but he will be a key inclusion after a much-improved season.

"We're excited about Shane coming back in, both in the midfield and through the forward line," assistant coach Brendon Lade said on Thursday.

"Last time against Carlton we missed a lot of our half-forward line.

"To have Shane come back into that line will be very important for us … kicking goals and putting pressure on."

Chris Newman (ankle) and Jack Riewoldt (back and knee) appear certain to be included in the Tigers' squad, with coach Damien Hardwick describing them earlier this week as "locks" to play.

Both trained on Thursday, but midfielder Matt White, who was due for light duties, appears less certain to overcome a hamstring injury in time to face Carlton.

"Whether he trains again on Saturday to give him every possible chance of playing on Sunday … we'll have to wait," Lade said.

There was speculation following the Tigers' flat round 21 performance that they were impacted in that game by a heavy training phase, but Lade said that was not the case.

He said the coaches considered changes to the team's preparations this week, but decided not to toy with a winning formula.

"We thought about it and why change it? We've won 15 games this year and done really well in a lot of the games we've lost as well," Lade said.

"We've obviously lightened off – every team lightens off come finals time – but we weren't in a heavy training phase at all last time.

"I think when you get towards the end of the year – it was round 21 when we played them – it is a long year and the players do get tired.

"We've given the players a bit more rest and hopefully they're raring to go by Sunday."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-05/edwards-set-to-boost-tigers