Tiger talls set to forge power forward line Andrea Petrie
February 6, 2010 
Tiger Graham Polak in action yesterday. Photo: Justin McManusIF YESTERDAY'S practice match in gusty conditions was anything to go by, Richmond's forward line may prove a force to be reckoned with in the AFL this year.
Tall forwards Graham Polak and Dean Polo showed some promising signs alongside key forward Jack Riewoldt, despite weather for the intra-club clash between Richmond's seniors and the Coburg Tigers at the exposed Highgate Reserve in Craigieburn making goals a lot harder to come by.
Also impressive were former Essendon midfielder Tom Hislop and newcomer Troy Taylor whenever they got their hands on the pill, showing the huge crowd who braved the elements that the Tigers were keen to improve on their disappointing season last year.
While several players were unavailable for the clash including Troy Simmonds, Daniel Jackson, Nathan Foley and several young recruits who the club did not want to push too hard at this stage of the season, coach Damien Hardwick said the list was in ''pretty good shape''.
Trent Cotchin, who has had two consecutive interrupted pre-seasons and played only 10 games last year, ran out three quarters yesterday, silencing any suggestions that his football career was over.
''There was a few vicious rumours over the course of the pre-season that Trent was finished but our fans will be pleased to see him running around today,'' Hardwick said. ''He's one of those guys who has grown faster than his muscles have and his tendons and that sort of thing as young men do and we've just got to be patient with him because we expect him to be a player of the future at this club. We're not prepared to rush him at this stage.''
Having added 14 youngsters to its list this season to replace retired veterans such as Matthew Richardson and Nathan Brown, Hardwick said he had seen some promising signs from the newcomers over summer - all of whom had been in his office this week asking whether they were ready their debut in the NAB Cup.
''Dustin Martin has done some really nice things, David Astbury and even young Nick Westhoff - our last pick in the rookie draft - has actually shown that he can play, so from that point of view we're really pleased with the progression of our young players.''
Hardwick said that the Tigers would be playing to win every game of the NAB Cup, which kicks off next week.
''From that point of view we'll just pick our side that we think will be taking us into the future, because it's all about long-term success to us. Whatever we think's going to be best going forward we'll do.''
Hardwick said he was looking forward to taking on the Hawks at Aurora Stadium next Saturday night, although he joked that Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson would make his coaching debut easier by resting Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli.
''It'll be great,'' he said. ''There's nothing better than our side playing against a good quality side. Hawthorn will be up and going. They had an injury-ravaged year last year so they'll be fully prepare. From our point of view it'll be a great experience for our guys.''
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tiger-talls-set-to-forge-power-forward-line-20100205-nioo.html
