Clever to debut

[one-eyed]

Cleve called up
12:48:16 PM Wed 26 April, 2006
Angus Morgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

A new career will be launched in the yellow and black on Friday night when young key position prospect Cleve Hughes makes his debut for Richmond against Carlton at the MCG.

Hughes, the Tigers' second selection at last year's NAB AFL Draft - No.24 overall - was named the All-Australian centre half-forward after a sensational NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for South Australia.

The club has announced that the 19 year-old from Norwood will make his senior debut after some promising performances with the Coburg Tigers.

Hughes, who stands 193cm and tips the scales at 84kg, played on a forward flank and had spells at full-forward for the Tigers during the pre-season, and looks set to help provide cover for Nathan Brown who will be rested for the Blues clash.

http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=260590

[PuntRdRoar]

Thornton will go to Richo, Whitnall has to go to Stafford, I cant see whose gonna player on the clever. I estimate 3 goals on debut for the kid.

[mightytiges]

Congrats to Hughes  .

When he's on the ground he just needs to present strongly and positively up forward and he'll do well.

[Bulluss]

I tipped this 

The only other person that could come in is maybe Knobel. He could play 10 minutes a qtr and give Simmo a rest.

This would let us allow Staff to play forward pocket all night and cause plenty of headaches

 

[one-eyed]

 Wallace hails romantic selection
By Sam Lienert
foxsports.com.au
April 26, 2006

RICHMOND's selection of forward Cleve Hughes to make his AFL debut against Carlton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday has a romantic feel, Tigers coach Terry Wallace said today.

Wallace said the Tigers' first match of the season at their home ground, against a traditional rival in front of what should be a big crowd, provided an ideal opportunity to unveil Hughes.

"Call me a romantic but I reckon there are certain things with the big stage and giving blokes an opportunity to have their first game in that sort of game," Wallace said today.

"I think that's a fantastic thing.

"It's a lifetime memory and he deserves that chance."

The Tigers have high hopes for Hughes, 19, whom they selected at No.24 in last November's national draft.

Adding to the sense of occasion for Hughes, the South Australian has never been to the MCG even to watch a game.

"It's probably the biggest stage, or one of the biggest stages, available, so I'm very happy to be given a go, and hopefully I can do alright," Hughes said.

"I've never been there.

"I've watched plenty of games there (on television).

With young defender Andrew Raines having been announced today as this week's rising star nominee, Wallace said some pleasing signs were starting to emerge from the club's large youth brigade.

Nathan Foley, Adam Pattison, Daniel Jackson, Brent Hartigan, Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling and Raines, who all played in Saturday night's win over Brisbane Lions, were all showing good form, Wallace said.

"(Hughes) looks to be a real future player for the Richmond footy club as a key forward ... that's the direction that the football club's heading and we hope that our supporters are pleased with what they see," Wallace said.

"I know they wouldn't be pleased with one win out of four so far, but I hope they have an understanding of where the footy club's trying to head."

Friday night's game was crucial to both Richmond and Carlton, who have both won just one match this season," Wallace said.

"People want the opportunity of going to the MCG," he said.

"Richmond-Carlton games have been massive in the past.

"It's a big game in relation to where the two sides are, who's going to step up and march on, so I would be disappointed if we didn't get that sort of turn-out."

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18935631-23211,00.html

[Tiger Spirit]

Adding to the sense of occasion for Hughes, the South Australian has never been to the MCG even to watch a game.

"It's probably the biggest stage, or one of the biggest stages, available, so I'm very happy to be given a go, and hopefully I can do alright," Hughes said.

"I've never been there.

"I've watched plenty of games there (on television).

Good luck to Cleve.

How would you be playing your first game at the MCG and you’ve never been there before?

From what they were saying on SEN, I think the players get to have a walk over the ground tomorrow.

The last time we played there was July last year, so it will seem very different for anyone who hasn’t been to the ground since then.

[Sumatran TIger]

Go Cleve.

[Mopsy]

I tipped this 

The only other person that could come in is maybe Knobel. He could play 10 minutes a qtr and give Simmo a rest.

This would let us allow Staff to play forward pocket all night and cause plenty of headaches

 

I think you are spot on Bull!!

All of a sudden we have become a tall side again

[mightytiges]

Hughes' certain extra-curricular activity  was mentioned in passing on the Footy Show with Browny but David King told the full story in his pre-match talk.

During a team meeting, Staff went up to Kingy and in a serious tone said he needed to discuss an issue which had cropped up in regards to a player. Kingy thinking "sounds serious, we'd better nip whatever it is in the bud" allowed Staff to go ahead. So Staff got up before the playing group in front of the whiteboard and all with a powerpoint presentation. So he popped up on the screen a website with some photos of Hughes in his Richmond playing gear and details about himself and all. It was an online singles dating site lol. Everyone in the team meeting was on the floor rollin and giving it to Clever when he came back with "I haven't done too badly out of it"  .

Way to go Clever  .

[PuntRdRoar]

hes gonna be a player our Clever. Yesterday wasnt bad at all, lead well, good grab...good start for a kid at CHF in his first game.

[bluey_21]

hes gonna be a player our Clever. Yesterday wasnt bad at all, lead well, good grab...good start for a kid at CHF in his first game.

Didn't get much of the ball against Carlton but looked like a footballer like Rainesy 

[PuntRdRoar]

Tamblings not getting much either, but hes now showing hes gonna be a footballer- 3 decent games from Tambo...next step is for us to see him run more and bounce the footy more often in games.

[Fluffy Tiger]

I thought he did well but the AFL stats don't seem to back that up

Brent Hartigan  10   1   11   6   0   1   0   2   0   0 
Cleve Hughes     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 
Chris Hyde        15   7   22   9   0   0   0   1   2   1

Could have sworn I saw him with the ball a few times ???

[mightytiges]

I thought he did well but the AFL stats don't seem to back that up

Brent Hartigan  10   1   11   6   0   1   0   2   0   0 
Cleve Hughes     0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 
Chris Hyde        15   7   22   9   0   0   0   1   2   1

Could have sworn I saw him with the ball a few times ???

He's that good lol

Clever's stats - 3 kicks, 3 hbs, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 2 frees for, 1 behind from 2 shots.

[WilliamPowell]

Looked good to me - like bluey21 said looks like a footballer

Didn't look overawed at all. Led very well - pity some of his leads were ignored and the delivery was so crap