Club Corner - Aug 28

[one-eyed]

Richo - part 1

* Great to get a win and another over Essendon as they have had the wood over us.

* One of those nights with a open forward line with 4 forwards and 1-on-1s. The delivery was good to the lead and to advantage.

* Wasn't surprised he got Bradley as it was between him and McPhee. Expected a change through the night but understood Sheeds reasons.

* Only used that chipping around towards the end to stop them getting a goal.

* His game  - was up there with his best ones. Thought about the 10 but more than happy with what occurred and more importantly a win for the team.

* Opportunity this week to finish with 12 wins against West Coast.

* Disappointing thing was breaking his wrist and missing 6 weeks with the bye then another 3-4 weeks getting right. By then the season is gone.

* Wrist - as far as footy it's not affecting him. He's lost a bit of flexibility in it so it isn't yet 100%.

* Missing that much footy means he feels freshened up at this time of year. He'd rather play footy and feel a bit sore.

[one-eyed]

Richo cont. Part 2:

* If we win this week we'll end up with 12 wins which would give you a show at finals but our % stuffed us up. We knew early on we needed 13 wins given our percentage.

* We've done just as well as last year but with a younger group. White's run off half-back and Raines has exceeded expectations. Lids has continued on from last year and Blingers is starting to find his way. Polo exceeded expectations too. That's 5-6 genuine senior players. Mentioned Thursty as well. Patto is on the right track. Meyer unfortuantely got injured. Plenty of optimism going into next year.

* Confidence is a factor and our young players are skilled players as they are top draft picks. Brought in some skilled players and with the run hard and free flowing footy we've improved in recent weeks.
 
* Form won't naturally carry over to next year - you have to work hard at it over summer. Richo reckons footy will return to more free flowing footy. In finals it might tighten up but overall heading back to a more open game.

* Asked what we need? Pick 7/8 - best player available no matter what. After that a key position defender with Gas, Kellaway and Joel getting older.

* No defence for him. Might get behind the ball now and then but nup.

* Not sure how the Eagles will take this week. Doesn't expect them to mess with form. Good opportunity to knock them off and finish the year off well. Playing at the 'G is a advantage to us.

* We turned the year around after 0-3. Apart from the month where we slackened off our form has been good for most of the year.

* It is a strange feeling playing the last game. Go out with nothing to lose. We haven't fallen off in the second half of the season this year.

[one-eyed]

Paul Armstrong

* Ray Hall report - we'll finalise that in the morning. Risk if we challenge is he'll miss a game next year; take the penalty and he misses out on his 100th game this week.

* Injuries - clean slate at RFC. Coburg the one copping injuries - Knobel quad muscle.

* Just got through to the end of the year. 13-14 players out injured - 10 from starting RFC 18 which hurts Coburg as well  as us.

* Only 5-6  RFC players available for Coburg so 12/10 rule meaningless for us. Coburg will just try to get a team together.

* We didn't play particularly well as in the past two games but we won. They had a more experienced team than us on Saturday night.

* Armstrong rates Richo's game alongside his game against  Port at the Dome last year.

* We bet the sides below us and only a couple above us so that's why we've finished mid-table. Other years 12 wins would get you in so just the way it goes.

* We had a tough draw and lost players for lengthy periods. We've had 10-12 players make their debut in the past 2 years. Looking forward to next year.

* Coburg game on the same time as Richmond so really disappointing it's that way as it stops our supporters going.

[one-eyed]

Potter from Coburg

* Started well kicking the first couple of goals then the Bullants got on top. Their key forwards and midfield were too much for us. Positive was Angus Graham making his debut.

* Better players - Neville , Humm. Broke even - King.

* First final at Frankston - Sat 1.10pm. Disappointed about the scheduling of the Coburg game. Sandy-Geelong are the tv game.

* Need to negate ruckmen Clarke and Eames and Edwards up forward for Frankston. Played them a couple of weeks and go and were disappointing against them. Tough the last 5-6 weeks with injuries and injuries at Richmond.

* Only 6-7 RFC players available against the Bullants so young Coburg are getting a go.

*  Queries over Razor, Kellaway and Krakouer will mean Coburg side won't be finalised until Friday.

[one-eyed]

Scotty Turner

* Originally in the Collingwood zone. 1988 signed with Melbourne but injured back in a exhibition game in Canada and London. Hurt his back and was out for 6-8 months. Delisted by Northey (then Melbourne coach) and joined Richmond.

* First game in 91 against the Saints on Stewart Loewe.

* Ruckman, CHF, forward in juniors. Utility in first 5 years at RFC then FB in last 5 years.

* Got through the first 5 years with 100 games but only 44 in the next 5. 1995 injured his left knee in the last few rounds. Got through the finals but had 6 ops on it after that.

* Always wore 41. Still does now in the bush.

* Kicked 33 goals (5 against North at Princes Park).

* Scalps - Dunstall kicked 8-9 on him in the second half in Dunstalls 17 goal game. Then kept him goalless at Waverley in 95. Did fairly well on Lockett. Rates Ablett the best he's seen over Dunstall, Lockett, Carey and Modra.

* Wouldn't last too long with the new instant kick-in rule. Enjoyed that 5-10 second rest.

* Agreed we need another key defender.

* At Ararat now up playing now and then up forward. To slow for FB these days. 

[one-eyed]

A podcast of last night's club corner can be found here:

http://www.sport927.com.au/pod/tcc.html