Simmonds calls on Richmond to break Cats hoodoo
26 May 2006 Herald Sun
Rebecca Williams
RICHMOND ruckman Troy Simmonds has called on the Tigers to make a statement against Geelong at Skilled Stadium tomorrow.
Buoyed after a three-point win against competition pacesetter Adelaide last weekend, the Tigers aim to shatter one of the club's longest-running hoodoos.
The Tigers have not beaten the Cats at their home ground since 1990, recording only three wins there in 30 years.
But Richmond's poor record against Geelong stretches beyond the boundaries of Skilled Stadium. The Tigers have been chasing a win against the Cats anywhere since 2000.
"Last year, we lost by a point in Wayne Campbell's last game," Simmonds said.
"We nearly got up. But it's time to create some history and get a win down there.
"We've got a young and new group together and so this is a time to make a statement and create that history.
"We're in reasonable form. We've won four out of five games.
"They've won one out of the last six, so I know the boys are feeling confident going in."
Despite owning the lowest percentage in the league, the Tigers remain on the fringe of a place in the top eight.
Simmonds said the Tigers' upset win against the Crows showed the team had the potential to match the best sides in the competition.
"I think you get a lot of respect out of beating the better sides," he said.
"Adelaide were the league leaders and Geelong were touted as premiership favourites early in the season, so we've just got to keep improving each game and learning.
"We've shown that we can, when we do play well, beat the better sides."
The high-possession and defensive tactics Richmond coach Terry Wallace employed against the Crows caused plenty of debate during the week and heavy criticism from Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy.
Simmonds said he was amazed at the stir the game plan had caused.
"It's amazing how things get blown out of proportion," Simmonds said.
"We won the game of footy and we haven't played like that all year. It's just something that we can use at certain stages of the game.
"Sydney won a premiership playing that sort of style as well.
"It's one game and it does not mean that we are going to go out and play that sort of style against Geelong.
"Probably at stages we'll maybe use it, but it's just part of our learning curve."
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