Wallace rethink on Richo

[one-eyed]

Brought to you by GUY HAND,
AAP

RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace says the AFL's push-in-the-back ruling could mean a major change to his plans for spearhead Matthew Richardson.

The AFL has asked umpires to enforce a stricter interpretation of the rule, not allowing players to place their hands on opponents' backs in marking contests.

Richardson, the Tigers' focal point in attack, received little in the way of free kicks during his side's NAB Cup defeat by Geelong last weekend.

But at the other end, Tigers full-back Darren Gaspar had three free-kicks paid against him in a 10-minute period while playing on former teammate Brad Ottens.

"My aim has been to play him (Richardson) out at centre half-forward, probably for another 12 to 18 months," Wallace told AAP.

"But the way the rule change is at the moment, I'm thinking that he may belong closer to goal."

Wallace said he would take a "suck it and see" approach with Richardson, thinking it may be in both the player's and the team's interests to shift him into the goalsquare as soon as round one if the stricter interpretation continues.

Full article at: http://afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=38515

[mightytiges]

Wallace said he would take a "suck it and see" approach with Richardson, thinking it may be in both the player's and the team's interests to shift him into the goalsquare as soon as round one if the stricter interpretation continues.

The problem with that is Richo gets frustrated in the goalsqaure as it's easier for the opposition to have 3 or 4 defenders on him. Especially with our disposal entering forward 50  . He then tries to wrestle as the ball comes in so the umps will probably penalise him for that under these new rules. Richo has always played his most damaging footy in space when he can run his direct opponent off his feet.

[Rodgerramjet]

Great re-introduction of an old rule that should never have gone out of the game to begin with.

The coach that can adapt his players the quickest to this change is going to make up the quickest ground on the ladder this year.

This rule will suit Richardson no end if he plays it right. Ottens and Fevola gave us all a glimpse of things to come this year, Fevola might kick a hundred and Richo might too if he can stay on the paddock.

Someone said the power forward is back and all I can say is aint that the truth.

[tigersalive]

Not just Richo.  We MUST go tall to take full advantage of this rule.  Kingsley or Schulz at FF Richo can still be fine at CHF imo.  He kicks better from out there anyway!! 

[mightytiges]

The new rule is good for Richo but not for our key defenders or lack of them  . Probably why Wallace wants the AFL to reconsider the rule after the NAB Cup.

[tiga]

Due to this rule change, I reckon we'll see more backmen playing in front or in a type of zone defence against key forwards iwhere they can back into a contest and more often than not be rewarded for it. Reading the flight of an incoming kick will also be more critical than ever.