Another Bombers 2011 preview of us but this time from their BigFooty board:
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Culture & Development. The importance of these 2 areas of the Richmond Football Club can not be overstated. 1980 was the last time this club saw a premiership, and they've had their September calendars free each year going back to 2001. Three decades of results this poor simply cannot occur without serious cultural and developmental issues, and this is unlikely to be lost on Hardwick and his men.
So obviously Richmond's goals and expectations this year and possibly next, will most likely be set around factors other than those found in the win loss column. Hardwick is a man who has experienced a winning environment first hand after spending virtually his entire playing and coaching career with Essendon, Port and Hawthorn during times of success, and naturally building and developing a decent list will be number one, two and three on his to do list.
And now for the burning question....are they on the right track?
For mine, i tend to think the answer, finally, is yes.
They've moved on Terry Wallace, a man known for his spin and continued insistance that all is well and on track dispite failure each year, for Damien Hardwick, a tough uncomprimising character with a no nonsense apraoch to the game who has honestly assessed the list as needing quite a bit of work.
Time will tell if he and his boys can break the tiger's curse and bring back the tigers of old, but for now i'll focus purely on 2011, of course with an eye on the grand plan.
Defense:A very big year for a number of the Tiger's key position defenders. Kel Moore and Thursfield in particular have shown form in the last few years that suggested they were on the verge of forming an ominous defensive partnership, however both seem to have stalled at various times and no longer should see their positions as safe. McGuane, underrated by many outside of Punt Rd, has arguably overtaken both and also looking to have a big year.
The promising Astury has shown good signs early, and it's hard to see all three of Moore, Thursfield and McGuane holding their spots long term with a coach still trying to gage exactly where his list sits. One would think 2011 could be a defining year in one way or another for the long term structure of the Tiger's defense.
The smaller and running backmen is an area in which Richmond already looks strong. Newman and Deledio provide experience and polish, and having recruited Grigg and Houli to play alongside the likes of King, there should be plenty of healthy competition for those spots.
Mids:Certainly the area in which the Tigers future path is most clear. Richmond are counting on Martin and Cotchin to play another 10+ years in the middle, and of course the forgotten Foley is another elite midfielder if they can get him right.....and the word is he just may have turned the corner.
Conca is by all accounts a future midfield talent, with the next group of Connors, White and Edwards each demonstrating that whilst they have some kinks in their game that require further development (there's that word again), they most definitely have an upside worth perservering with for now. Morton is another who may well rotate through more than previously after demonstrating some impressive late season form up the ground in 2010.
Tuck is an interesting case. The thirty year old gives the young Tigers a hard edge in the middle, and knows how to find and win the contested ball. The obvious negative is his sub standard disposal that continually causes turn overs, an area in which the young Tigers often struggle. Personally i feel his abhorent disposal out weigh his positives, however it will be interesting to see how he goes this year.
Forwards:Apparently they have some bloke called Reiwoltd that a few supporters are half keen on, and word is he might end up okay.....alright maybe there's a bit more Jacky-R hype than i'm letting on, but there's not much question he's got the talent to have a great career. Certainly reads the ball extreemely well in the air which is near impossible to teach, and makes an impact when he's in the zone.
If all the talk about the sub rule comes to fruition one could envisage Vickery and Graham rotating through the ruck and deep forward role, leaving another key position in attack to be filled. For me i feel Post is leading the way.....has a great pair of hands and keeps his eyes on the ball until he has it firmly in his grip. Griffiths is around 200cm and has shown a bit in the few games he played last year, and no doubt Hardwick will be hoping he or Post can have an impact up forward as soon as possible.
The reality is however at present, aside from Reiwoltd it is hard to see the Richmond forwards providing the fire power to consistently kick a winning score.
Ruck: Graham and Vickery are first and second in the que, and both still have a lot of work to go on their game.
My Tiger's 22:b: Newman Astbury McGuane
hb: Grigg Thursfield Deledio
c: Houli Cotchin Morton
hf: Conners Post White
f: Nahas Reiwoltd Vickery
r: Graham, Foley, Martin
i: Connors, Edwards, Tuck, Farmer (sub)
next in line: Nason, Webberly, Moore, Griffiths, King, Conca, Gourdis, Rance etc.
Prediction time:2011 B&F: Deledio
Most improved: i'll go with White.
Position: 15th
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showpost.php?p=20181236&postcount=1
