Media articles: Tough start for Tigers in Tassie

[one-eyed]

Tough start for Tigers in Tassie
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen 10:28 PM Sat 13 February, 2010


Hawthorn       0.7.3   2.10.7   3.15.11   3.16.12 (135)
Richmond       0.1.1   0.2.1     0.4.2      0.9.8 (62)

GOALS
Hawthorn:
Nine-point goals: Breust, Mitchell, Roughead 
Goals: Franklin 5, Roughead 2, Hodge 2, Ellis, Moss, Mitchell, Suckling, Lisle, Shiels, Schoenmakers

Richmond:
Nine-point goals: Nil 

Goals: Riewoldt 3, Nahas 2, Polak, Astbury, Hislop, Morton

BEST
Hawthorn: Franklin, Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Roughead, Ellis
Richmond: Martin, Deledio, Connors, Gourdis, Edwards, Collins

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Richmond: Nason (hyper-extended knee), Thomson (knee to head),

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Ryan, Grun, Richie

Official crowd: 11,217 at Aurora Stadium

---------------------------------------------------

RICHMOND has endured a tough start to 2010 with a 73-point loss to a rejuvenated Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Saturday night.

The Hawks gave their former assistant coach Damien Hardwick a brutal introduction to AFL senior coaching as they won 3.6.12 (135) to 0.9.8 (62).

The contest was tight for the first 10 minutes, but then the Hawks took over and the Tigers were left floundering, although they saved some face as the Hawks closed down in the last term and the Tigers more than doubled their score with five late goals.

But it was the Hawks of old as Franklin kicked into gear with five goals, Jarryd Roughead looked dangerous beside him, and they were fed by a voracious midfield led by Luke Hodge and captain Sam Mitchell, who finished with 38 touches.

Campbell Brown patrolled half-back with his customary swagger, while Xavier Ellis, Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell and youngster Liam Shiels all had plenty of it.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said his side was clearly in better shape this year when compared to the same time in 2009.

"Our guys were pretty fit and hungry, and they've had a great preparation," he said after the match.

"The ones who played tonight were all ready to go, and hopefully we'll get two or three back into the side by [next week] and get their preparation on course for round one.

"We saw a fair few of our guys up and running and ready to go - we've got probably six or eight players like [Chance] Bateman, [Josh] Gibson, [Shaun] Burgoyne, [Cyril] Rioli, [Rhan] Hooper - those type of guys who will hopefully have good five or six week blocks heading into the season.

"Our focus is clearly on round one and Melbourne."

For the Tigers, Dustin Martin - taken with the third pick overall in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft - slotted seamlessly into senior football as he led the Tigers with 26 disposals, dual club champion Brett Deledio worked hard through the middle with Daniel Connors, Andrew Collins and Shane Edwards, while down back, rookie David Gourdis showed promise.

Hardwick said he was pleased with the Tigers' second half, but that the result changed nothing at Punt Rd.

"We're a young developing side, and Hawthorn are a top-four calibre side, and we're a fair way off them at this stage," he said.

"Look, nothing's changed - we know exactly where we're at.

"We've got to plan for the future, we know where we're headed, but it's going to take some time."

With the Hawks still being without excitement machine Rioli and former Port Power player Burgoyne, the signs are ominous for the other teams eyeing a top-eight finish.

Once Hawthorn found the go pedal it was game over, leading by 38 at the first change, 72 at the half and 12 at the final break.

The Tigers had two injuries, with newcomer Ben Nason injuring a knee, and Adam Thomson taking a knee to the back of the head in a marking contest.

Hawthorn will play the winner of Sunday's Western Bulldogs/Brisbane Lions clash at Etihad Stadium on February 26, while Richmond will play on the NAB Challenge circuit.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/89520/default.aspx

[jackstar is back again]

Edwards and Connors in the best

[tony_montana]

Edwards and Connors in the best

hmmm its well and good to not like players but connors was easily one of our better players tonight, for mine 3rd best behind Martin and daylight and this is comng from someone who 'isn't a fan'. Occassional error, but on the whole was our only creator out of defence. His test will be how long he can sustain it.
Edwards only looked good with his run and kicking in the last when the heat went out of the game, shouldn't be in there. neither collins

[one-eyed]

Hawks blitz Tigers in goal frenzy

    * Julie Tullberg
    * From: Herald Sun
    * February 13, 2010 8:29PM

A SUPER-FIT Hawthorn team smashed the Richmond Tigers by 73 points in their first-round NAB Cup clash at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Led strongly by forward Lance 'Buddy' Franklin, the Hawks converted accurately in front of goal early, booting seven goals in the opening quarter.

Franklin nailed four goals before half time and looked in better shape than last year, when he struggled to overcome injury.

At half-time, Hawthorn 2.10.7 (85) enjoyed a 72-point lead over Richmond, 0.2.1 (13).

Franklin threaded a goal from the boundary line to post his fifth goal in the second half. He suffered a sore leg but was taken from the ground late in the game as a precautionary measure.

The Tigers copped a big fright when midfielder Ben Nason fell and hyper-extended his knee, which appeared to be a serious injury. Nason was taken from the field on a stretcher.

However, it is too early to say how badly injured Nason's knee is. He will have further tests to examine the extent of his injury.

In another blow for the Tigers, Adam Thomson copped a sickening knock to the back of his head and was taken from the ground on a stretcher. It is believed Thomson escaped with a bad knock and appeared to remain conscious as he laid on the ground.

It is not yet know whether he suffered mild concussion from the incident.

The Tigers struggled to match Hawthorn's pace and intensity and their only goal in the first term came from David Astbury.

Jack Riewoldt finally converted the Tigers' first goal of the second quarter, ten minutes before half-time.

But Richmond can take heart in their final-quarter effort, booting five goals to Hawthorn's one.

Tiger Graham Polak, who has recovered from a head injury after being hit by a tram, threaded a goal to signal his successful return.

Riewoldt (three goals) and Robin Nahas (two) were Richmond's key goal-kickers, as they struggled to match the Hawks' strength through the midfield and in attack.

Richmond's star draftee Dustin Martin was the Tigers' best, as he skilfully fed the ball from the midfield.

Sam Mitchell was potent around the ground, setting up many opportunities for his Hawthorn teammates.

The match was a shocking start for former Hawthorn assistant coach and new Tigers coach Damien Hardwick, who looked on in frustration, as his young brigade struggled.

It will be some time before the Tigers can match it against the AFL's well-oiled machines, like Hawthorn, Geelong, Western Bulldogs and Collingwood.

Hawthorn showed glimpses of the powerhouse team it was when it beat Geelong to win the 2008 AFL premiership.
 

Best:
Hawthorn: S Mitchell L Franklin L Hodge B Sewell C Brown J Lewis.

Richmond: D Martin D Connelly  ???  B Deledio R Cambling  ??? S Tuck J Riewoldt.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hawks-too-strong-for-tigers/story-e6frf9jf-1225830042614

[one-eyed]

Hawks teach Tiger cubs a lesson
ANDREA PETRIE, LAUNCESTON
February 14, 2010

BEST Tigers: Connors, Martin, Tambling, Deledio, Hislop


IT WAS a case of men playing against boys at Aurora Stadium last night as Hawthorn showed Richmond how the game was played in the big league.

With Richmond having made 14 changes to its list from last year, including the retirements of veterans Matthew Richardson, Nathan Brown, Kane Johnson and Joel Bowden, the Tiger cubs were always going to struggle to match the experience and poise of a close to full-strength Hawthorn. But under new coach Damien Hardwick and with a new defence-based game plan they have spent all pre-season working on, the Richmond players went into the game upbeat and ready for the challenge.

Hawthorn's lessons on how the game should be played started in the first minute of play and ended with a 73-point win, which also claimed some casualties along the way.

Within 30 seconds of the first bounce, Lance Franklin marked over Alex Rance and kicked the set shot through for the first goal of the match.

Four minutes later, it was in the superstar's hands again after he took another strong mark, again over Rance, for another major.

It took the Tigers seven minutes to get the ball into their forward line, when Graham Polak had a chance to mark in front of Hawthorn's veteran defender Campbell Brown, who punched the ball away from him.

Richmond's first goal came off the boot of recruit David Astbury, his first goal in his first game of AFL.

But Hawthorn looked like it was completing a well-rehearsed training drill.

Power forwards Franklin and Jarryd Roughead were at ease, chipping the ball off to teammates who were on better angles, with Luke Hodge and Xavier Ellis running into open goal amid confused Tigers.

Not even a charity free kick to Tom Hislop could help get the Tigers on track, as the ball skewed off the side of his boot towards the opposite side of the ground.

Another free kick awarded to Richmond inside its forward 50 nearing quarter-time was off line for a behind before a goal to Garry Moss got the Hawks into the first break with a 38-point advantage.

The slaughter continued in the second, with Hawk rookie and small forward Luke Bruest opening the quarter with a supergoal on debut.

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt provided his team with a little inspiration when he scored his side's second goal.

As if the night wasn't painful enough, running Tigers midfielder Ben Nason had to be carried off the ground when his right knee buckled and he rolled on the ground in agony.

Hawthorn's lead stretched out to 72 points at the main break.

The Tigers' injury woes continued in the third with Adam Thomson also carried off on a stretcher, after copping Jordan Lisle's knee to the back of his head.

It took a fumble by Ellis in Richmond's goal square just over 10 minutes into the quarter for the Tigers to get their first goal for the term - their fourth for the match - through Tom Hislop.

But it wasn't long before Franklin had kicked his fifth major from a tight angle, despite earlier limping off the ground after being crunched by Mitch Farmer.

The superior skills of Hodge and Sam Mitchell, who were on fire all night, resulted in another couple of Hawthorn goals before a goal to Polak late in the term reduced the margin to 96 points.

Hawthorn entered the final term 102 points up, with Mitchell, Hodge, Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis among several having a field day with almost 100 possessions between them.

In stark contrast, Richmond's main possession-getter was Daniel Connors, who had managed 20 touches by three-quarter-time, followed by first-round draft pick Dustin Martin, who finished with 26 touches in his first match, most of which were effective.

Two goals each to Riewoldt and Robin Nahas and one to Mitch Morton in the final term, in what was undoubtedly the Tigers' best quarter, helped restore some hope for Richmond supporters before the final siren sounded.

But the fact that the Hawks still had the likes of late withdrawal Josh Gibson, Cyril Rioli, Shaun Burgoyne, Chance Bateman and Rhan Hooper to return suggests they are more than ready for the season proper to begin.

And while the Tigers still have Troy Simmonds, Daniel Jackson, Nathan Foley and veteran Ben Cousins to add to their line-up, it is clearly going to take them a lot longer to adjust to Hardwick's new game plan and deal with the additional injuries they could have done without.

STATS WATCH

1. Angus Graham won the battle of the two Tasmanian ruckmen with 19 hit-outs for Richmond against Simon Taylor with 16 for the Hawks.

2. Sam Mitchell set the standard for everyone on the ground with 38 possessions.

5. Lance Franklin limped off after being crunched but returned to finish with five goals for the match.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/hawks-teach-tiger-cubs-a-lesson-20100213-nyo7.html

[one-eyed]

Hawks give Richmond coach a horror start
SAM LIENERT
February 13, 2010 - 11:39PM
AAP

Hawthorn gave an early indication they will be an AFL powerhouse again in 2010 as they delivered new Richmond coach Damien Hardwick a nightmare start to his head coaching career.

The Hawks completely dominated Saturday night's opening round NAB Cup encounter in Launceston for three quarters, before easing up to win 3.16.12 (135) to 0.9.8 (62).

After an injury-hit and sluggish start to last season, coming off their 2008 premiership, the Hawks stars showed they are out to quickly set a different tone this year.

Forward Lance Franklin was superb, dominating in the air to kick three goals in the first 15 minutes on the way to five for the night.

His sometimes erratic set-shot kicking was on song, including a beautiful threaded goal from tight in the left-forward pocket in the third term.

Fellow stars Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge were just as impressive.

Mitchell picked up 38 touches, while Hodge, playing in the midfield, was damaging with his precise long kicking and snared two goals.

Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis also gathered plenty of the ball, while Jarryd Roughead showed he will again form a formidable double act with Franklin, with three goals from seven shots, including a nine-pointer.

There were precious few positives for Richmond.

One ray of light was the performance of the club's top national draft pick, Dustin Martin, the midfielder his side's best, showing great attack on the ball and using it well, while another youngster Daniel Connors was also solid.

The Tigers also fought out the match, trailing by 102 points at the last change before reducing it to 73 at the final siren, with Jack Riewoldt kicking two last quarter goals to give him three for the night.

But clearly former Hawthorn assistant and now Richmond head coach Hardwick faces a huge task, both to instill a tougher defensive mindset in his young squad and to eradicate their regular costly skill errors.

Further souring the night for Richmond was having two players stretchered off.

Draftee Ben Nason's right knee buckled underneath him late in the first half, while Adam Thomson was knocked out in a marking contest early in the second.

Franklin left the ground in the second term, after a clash of bodies, but did not appear badly hurt and returned to play out the game.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson praised his side's intent and enthusiasm and said physically the list was in better shape than the same time last year.

"We went into the season last year with a few guys underdone in their preparation," he said.

"We had a little bit more time this time around and we saw a fair few or of our guys up and running and raring to go."

Hardwick called for patience, noting Richmond's vastly changed playing list and coaching staff, saying it was a "young developing side" against a "top-four calibre side".

He said one positive was that the gamestyle started to click in the last term, but acknowledged they were totally outclassed to that point.

"We just literally couldn't get our hands on the ball," he said.

"I think we were down by 100 possessions at halftime and that's the way it stayed.

"The quality of players of Mitchell, Sewell and Hodge, if you allow them first use of the ball you're going to struggle to keep up.

"We've just got to keep working hard, we've got five weeks to get our game up and going by round one."

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/hawks-give-richmond-coach-a-horror-start-20100213-nym9.html

[mightytiges]

Hawks blitz Tigers in goal frenzy

    * Julie Tullberg
    * From: Herald Sun

Best
Richmond: D Martin D Connelly B Deledio R Cambling  S Tuck J Riewoldt.

Obviously follows Richmond closely lol

[jackstar is back again]

Edwards and Connors in the best

hmmm its well and good to not like players but connors was easily one of our better players tonight, for mine 3rd best behind Martin and daylight and this is comng from someone who 'isn't a fan'. Occassional error, but on the whole was our only creator out of defence. His test will be how long he can sustain it.
Edwards only looked good with his run and kicking in the last when the heat went out of the game, shouldn't be in there. neither collins

Commors continually kicked the ball sidways and short and tunned it over
And dont get me started on Edwards either

[Smokey]

Edwards and Connors in the best

hmmm its well and good to not like players but connors was easily one of our better players tonight, for mine 3rd best behind Martin and daylight and this is comng from someone who 'isn't a fan'. Occassional error, but on the whole was our only creator out of defence. His test will be how long he can sustain it.

Agree TM.  I thought he gave us good run out of the backline and played in a much more disciplined and team-oriented manner than he ever has in the past.  And like you, I'm not a fan but I was more than happy with his effort last night.  You can't hang him for kicking short just yet - judgment day for that will be when the game plan starts to become habit and all those around him are sticking to it much more consistently.

[eliminator]

Farmer was okay. Forward line a real worry although poor delivery didn't help. Hislop's kicking was not upto scratch.

[Infamy]

Farmer was okay. Forward line a real worry although poor delivery didn't help. Hislop's kicking was not upto scratch.

At least Hislop could get a touch in the forward line. He was clearly working into the right places to get scoring opportunities.
Get some composure into him and fix that kicking for goal and he could be handy. They were saying in the commentary that he was drilling them beautifully in the warmup, so clearly he didn't react well to the pressure/nerves/team getting flogged.

Layed some quality legal bumps in the 4th quarter too

[one-eyed]

The Tassie press didn't hold back although it's hard to disagree.....

Tiger's new era goes from bad to worse
By Alex Fair
The Examiner
14 Feb, 2010

IT WAS supposed to be the opening night of a new Richmond era under Damien Hardwick, but what transpired on the football stage at Aurora Stadium last night was nothing short of a horror show for everyone involved with the Tigers.

It was during this early period that the philosophy of Richmond's new game plan came to the fore, to use the centre corridor and run it forward using handball. However, Hawthorn's pressure at the ball and the man did not allow it come to fruition.

It wasn't long before Richmond was forced wide and forced to chip it around in an attempt to find a perfect option. However, unfortunately for the Tiger faithful, the young cubs did not have the skill level to be successful.

Turnovers in the defensive 50 cost them two goals early, to Luke Hodge and Xavier Ellis, and this pattern continued for most of the contest.

In fact, Richmond's skill level was barely at AFL standard at times, but in its defence, the Tigers barely touched the ball in the first 30 minutes, with Hawthorn winning 104 disposals to 61.

This was reflected on the scoreboard with a 38-point lead to the efficient Hawks, who kicked 7.3 from 10 inside-50s, to Richmond's 1.1.

Full article:
http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/sport/general/tigers-new-era-goes-from-bad-to-worse/1750317.aspx?storypage=0

[bojangles17]

Edwards and Connors in the best

who on earth would have you judged played better than connors, I can think of one perhaps two ???

[Go Richo 12]

Edwards and Connors in the best

who on earth would have you judged played better than connors, I can think of one perhaps two ???

I thought Edwards was solid last night! I am prepared to give credit where credit is due and look past personel opinions when evaluating a performance! Not i hate Edwards!?

[Gigantor]

In looking at last nights game what i wanted to see was the following .....a new hardness from our boys,a commitment to win the ball at all costs.I wanted to see a clear direction in movement of the pill,and i wanted to see size on some of our boys...To be honest i didnt see much of any of these things.
I didnt really care about the result