Richmond legends Francis Bourke and Michael Roach say Richmond leaders must stand up, let Jack Riewoldt kick goals Jon Ralph
Herald Sun
April 10, 2014 7:48PMRICHMOND legends Francis Bourke and Michael Roach have urged Damien Hardwick to stop experimenting with Jack Riewoldt and let him do what he does best — kick goals.
With one win from three games, the Tigers must win against arch rivals Collingwood tonight to resurrect their finals hopes.
Richmond Immortal Bourke and dual Coleman Medallist “Disco” Roach yesterday said the Tigers needed to play Riewoldt deep, not rotate him through the forward half.
It came as the club’s last premiership coach, Tony Jewell, questioned the mettle of Richmond’s leaders.
“Some of the leadership group need to stand up — there are some real questions about some of them," the 1980 premiership coach said.
“When the s*** hits the fan, most of them go missing.”
Coach Hardwick said this week “we don’t have full forwards any more” in modern football, but seven-time Tigers leading goalkicker Roach disagreed.
“I don’t know what Dimma is trying to do with Jack. He has won the Coleman twice. He can play,” Roach said.
“Don’t make him into something he might not be, or might not enjoy. Move (Brendan) Fevola from full forward and see how he goes somewhere else. Or move Jason Dunstall or Tony Lockett.
“Times have changed, but I think Jack is a full-forward. It is no good having your full-forward running around (up the field) and not kicking any goals.”
Five-time premiership player and AFL Team of the Century member Bourke said yesterday the Tigers needed to make a stand against Collingwood, which is also 1-2 from three games.
“I think the top four is going to be a tough ask and we will be doing well to make the eight the way we are going. The next four matches are going to sort us out properly,’’ he said.
“This is a real opportunity for us to get back on track. Jack Riewoldt certainly played a good second half last week, but he had to do some spectacular things. I am a 20th century guy, and the concept of having no full forward to me is a very hard thing to come to grips with, particularly in his case.
“He has proven to be such a good and effective forward. And playing one-out. He is a very good contested mark, but he can’t beat two or three or four (opponents).”
Jewell said yesterday the Tigers needed to show something against the Pies to save their season.
“I reckon this game might answer a few questions about some of the players. We lost all the close games (in 2012), won most of them last year, and it seems we have reverted back to the same issues. We shouldn’t have beaten Carlton, and when we get challenged no one puts their hand up.
“The blokes who have been around for a while, the so-called leaders, it’s all of them. It’s time to game our game on track or the season is almost lost.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-legends-francis-bourke-and-michael-roach-say-richmond-leaders-must-stand-up-let-jack-riewoldt-kick-goals/story-fni5f9jb-1226880321261
