Tigers expect cubs to grow fast The Age
April 4, 2010 RICHMOND midfielder Daniel Jackson expects the young Tigers to learn fast from their season-opening 56-point thrashing by Carlton.
The Tigers face what looms as an even tougher task against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG today.
But Jackson said they would benefit from some players having their first taste of AFL football and coach Damien Hardwick's game plan being given its first major test. ''We've been preaching all summer a whole lot of new things that we're going to be sticking to week in, week out, and [the Carlton game] was the first chance we were able to go out there and try it on the big stage,'' he said.
''We started to implement some of those things right and there's a few things that we still need to work on.''
The Tigers fielded three debutants in round one - Dustin Martin, Relton Roberts and Ben Nason - and Jackson said coming to terms with life as an AFL footballer could be overwhelming.
''Sometimes, as a young bloke, you're out there and you're a bit overawed,'' he said. ''But we just need those young guys to, as quick as they can, learn that it's about the team and feel a bit more comfortable.
''There are certainly a lot of things we need to work on and improve on, but we were in the game [last week] for a lot of it and it was probably the small things, not capitalising on chances, fundamental skill errors [that cost us].
''You're going to get that when you have a young side - Ben Nason missing his first couple of shots on goal, kicking the third - maybe next week he kicks all three.''
But Jackson said it was improving defensively that would make the most noticeable early impact.
The Tigers have regained small defender Jake King from suspension and added key-position prospect Jayden Post to replace Ben Cousins (knee) and Roberts (club-imposed suspension).
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tigers-expect-cubs-to-grow-fast-20100403-rkyk.html
