Club Corner - Sept 4

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* Next week last show for the year with Terry Wallace

Paul Armstrong 

* Terry started interviews this morning (8-10 young guys). Finish up on Thursday.

* We've spoken as a group about behaving themselves and leave it up to the leadership group.

* We started the season poorly. We finished the season poorly. Some good signs in between. This can happen with a young group.

* Really disappointed with the game on Saturday with Staff and Chaff's last game. Had a tribute game last year for Cambo and lost by a point. Terry has told them the game on the weekend was unacceptable. They've got 5-6 months before redeming themselves. That's something they have to live with over summer.

* Finished where we are as a team. Good enough to beat the sides below us but not good enough for those above and a fair way away from the Eagles and top sides. We like any of the lower sides on the weekend dropped away once the margin got away while the Eagles (Swans etc) finished strongly heading into the finals.

* Players here at Punt Road for interviews till Wednesday. Then it's their leave. Back Sept 20 for the B&F. Majority of leave in Oct. Return for preseason training Oct 25 (4th, 5th year guys). Nov 7-8 for the older guys.

* Rainsey took his chance this year. A small defenders spot was needed at the start of the year and he took it.

* Polo - rapted with him too. One of the best debuts and deserved RS nomination.

* Lids - 2nd year better than first which is a good sign. Lids models his game on Judd.

* Tambling - first year was such a huge chance for him (moving from NT, wife, baby, etc). Showed glimpses this year. Give these guys 3-4 years before they show what they can really do.

* Foley - had to battled hard to get where he is now which is credit to him. Worked really hard over last summer to get his body and fitness up to AFL level. Will improve again in those areas over this summer. Delivery also improving. No question about his hardness and work ethic.

* Patto - at times looks uncomfortably but other times looks good. Typical of a young developing big bloke. Shows leadership amongst the younger group.

* Meyer - Learnt he needs to come back fitter. Was underdone earlier in his career and this year has become well aware of where he needs to get too. Had improved before his stress foot injury.

* Best for us this year:-  Joel (expects he'll get AA), Petts (first half and last month), Simmo (surprised if not AA).

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Armstrong cont:

* Kellaway  - we were keen for Chubba to play on the weekend so we named him as an emergency with Krak in doubt with an ankle. Agreed if he could get through training he would play. Didn't feel right after pulling up from training and didn't want to let the team down. Tomorrow he'll sit down with Terry and we'll tell him his opportunities for next year. It's then up to Chubba to decide. Armstrong said he doesn't know if he'll stay or not.

* List - One group you want to keep and are contracted. Next group is tradable. Some want to step away and others might believe opportunites exist elsewhere. Armstrong expects us to make 5-6 changes and have 4-5 picks in the draft.

* Our players will know where they sit. If they see speculation and their name in the paper and we haven't discussed it with them then they know it is rubbish.

* Players know their pecking order just from how the year panned out. Some decisions are hard as a player might have been injured and will they hurt us if they go to another club. Each player is unique. Lots of things come into the decision (costs of getting the player on the park for example) so no one is delisted/traded lightly. No player has been dragged out kicking and screaming but some might disagree with your opinion.

* Armstrong is player operations manager which means his job is to control and set up budget for footy dept ($10m) plus things like organising timetables and accomodation for interstate trips, contracts, etc .... anything that basically isn't on-field related within the footy dept.

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Andy Collins - Coburg

* Credit to Frankston and to Edwards with 9 goals. The better side on the day.

* Rules allowed 12 RFC players but we only had 5 due to Richmond's injuries.

* Best -  Humm, Limbach with 4 goals and Hughes with 2.

* Played 6 boys who are 19 or just about to turn 19. 11 players with less than 10 VFL games experience including some of the RFC guys (Casserly).

* Coburg (seniors and ressies) won 10 games combined last year. Up to 15 this year so we've improved on that front. With both Richmond and Coburg young sides there's promise for the future.

* Terry believes strongly a winning culture is vital to building and developing a successful side. So he is pleased with Coburg this year.

* Collins personally delighted with Polo, White, Howat going onto AFL footy + pride in Staff, Chaffey at VFL level. Only 3 RFC players didn't play seniors (Graham, Limbach, Casserly).

* Graham - young ruckman who is still a bit off it but hopefully another big preseason he will come on in 2007.

* Limbach - leading goalkicker for Coburg and when the footy is kicked to his advantage you know he will finish off. Needs to work on his workrate.   

* Casserly - Collins really excited about Cass. Strong, running, carry ball long way player who plays deceptively tall and is an excellent kick - will play some good AFL footy for Richmond next year.

* Expect 40% player turnover at Coburg but we're keen to hold onto the more senior boys.

* Thanked Richmond supporters who came in good numbers to the Coburg games.

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The podcast of club corner:

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