Tigers vs Brisbane game thread

[one-eyed]

Leppitsch press conference talking about the Brisbane game...

http://bigpondvideo.com/RichmondTV/350173/justin-leppitsch-press-conference/

Here's the article on Leppa's interview:

Leppa’s Tiger alert
richmondfc.com.au
By Tony Greenberg
Fri 29 Apr, 2011

Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch has sounded a warning to the Tiger team on the eve of the Round 6 clash with the Brisbane Lions.

The Tigers go into Saturday night’s game warm favorites following their first win of the season, against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Sunday.

But Leppitsch, a three-time premiership player with Brisbane, has offered some cautionary advice to the young Tigers as they prepare to take on the Lions, who are in 16th place on the league ladder, after five rounds, without a win.

“I know a few of Brisbane’s younger players, better than most, because I worked with them a few years ago,” he said.

“Their list definitely isn’t in as bad a shape, as what people think, particularly their midfield . . . their future looks pretty good.”

Leppitsch stressed the importance of the players respecting their opponents, regardless of how inexperienced, or little known, they may be at the game’s highest level . . .

“When you talk about lack of identity of (opposition) players, it can, potentially, lead to players thinking they’re a better chance, which also leads to poor thoughts going into games.  And, the chain reaction of that can, potentially, be bad,” he said.

“It’s important for the players to respect their opposition every week.”

Leppitsch also pointed to areas of the team’s game last Sunday night that needed to be worked on, despite the first-up victory . . .

“There were big patches in the game where we didn’t do what we wanted to do, particularly late, when the game started to get tight.  Our kick-ins fell away a little bit and we just went away from the plan a bit,” he said.

“So, we’ve addressed those and hope to, like every week, improve.”

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/112652/default.aspx[/i]

[one-eyed]

Old teammates Richo and Cambo preview the Brisbane game:

http://bigpondvideo.com/RichmondTV/350324/roar-preview-round-6/

Batch and Grigg at half-back
Tucky goes into the middle to replace Jacko.

[one-eyed]

Twin towers hover over Tigers
Jim Morton
Ninemsn
15:05 AEST Fri Apr 29 2011

Bizarre pets of the stars Brisbane coach Michael Voss has tipped an "absorbing" battle between Daniel Merrett and Jack Riewoldt on Saturday night but is more excited by his new twin towers at the other end of the MCG.

Voss is desperate to see winless Brisbane finally open their account this season and believes the left-field key forward combination of former ruck duo Mitch Clark and Matthew Leuenberger can rattle Richmond.

While Riewoldt's outstanding five-goal haul in last week's triumph over North Melbourne has put extra heat on Brisbane fullback Merrett, the Lions will ask questions of their own against the Tigers defence.

Richmond talls Luke McGuane, Alex Rance and Dylan Grimes (all 192-194cm tall) will have their work cut out preventing 200cm Clark and 204cm Leuenberger taking some big grabs.

Despite four Lions losses, Clark is performing strongly in the absence of spearhead Jonathan Brown while Leuenberger's switch to centre half-forward against St Kilda would have brought more reward if he had kicked truly.

"We threw caution to the wind and tried it out ... against Melbourne (round three) and got something out of it," Voss said

"(Leuenberger) is meeting the ball at the highest point at the moment, as is Mitch.

"If we can get that combination going really, really well, hopefully it puts a bit of pressure on the Tigers defence.

"To have that even when Browny returns is a fantastic asset to have in your footy club."

At the other end of the ground, Lions vice-captain Merrett matches up with Riewoldt better than most but still faces one of the toughest tasks in the game.

"(Merrett) is well equipped to handle this task for us," Voss said.

"It's going to be a great battle and an absorbing battle - a contest that I'm sure a lot of people will be taking notice of."

Richmond deserve favouritism but the loss of suspended tagger Daniel Jackson is a significant blow and should allow Lions star Simon Black more time and space to create.

Tigers assistant coach and former Brisbane triple-premiership player Justin Leppitsch said it was crucial Richmond fixed their slow starts against his old team.

Richmond have yet to lead at the first change this season and have been smashed early in their past four games.

"It's more a mental thing with our group than a physical thing because, physically, we are a very fit team," Leppitsch said.

"It's just a matter of attacking the game nice and early and we have broached that."

Voss admitted he was sorely tempted to rush Josh Drummond straight back after his long-awaited return in the reserves following knee surgery but the rebounding defender was not yet 100 per cent fit.

"We'd love him out there and we're a better team when he does play for us but we need to be a bit more patient," he said.

"We've been waiting 12 months to play and one more week won't hurt us."

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8242706

[Dubstep Dookie]

Height 4 them, but not much talent.

Well poo it in by 10 goals

[mightytiges]

Unless we break the game open early on with a strong start it'll be closer than many think. The Lions have been getting their hands on the pill and getting it forward enough but their poor skill level continally turning over the footy and their lack of genuine reliable firepower up forward without Brown up there has been their major weakness. We should win but we can't underestimate them. Mentally we need to be switched on and forget about last week's win.

[cub]

B-E-A utiful day, time to sit back relax and watch the Tiges put a team away for once.

10 goals + would be nice and I will be looking forward to getting used to it 

[Tigeritis™©®]

Unless we break the game open early on with a strong start it'll be closer than many think. The Lions have been getting their hands on the pill and getting it forward enough but their poor skill level continally turning over the footy and their lack of genuine reliable firepower up forward without Brown up there has been their major weakness. We should win but we can't underestimate them. Mentally we need to be switched on and forget about last week's win.

I agree. We haven't been great winning games we were favorites in. Alot of angry posters tonight if we lose.

I'm not expecting anything, after losing to the cheats round 1 I've lost every ounce of excitement for this year so if we lose tonight its no big deal it won't destroy my weekend.

[Oiafi]

Would be nice to be playing Port. What a rabble. North Melbourne are being played back into form. They might as well have a bye.

[tiger101]

any1 know if this game is on FTA tonight?
someone told me FTA are doing the saints game instead. Damn  

[mightytiges]

any1 know if this game is on FTA tonight?
someone told me FTA are doing the saints damn instead 

Nup it's on Fox I believe. Thank god I'll be at the game and won't have to see the Saints bore everyone to death again  .

I'm heading off now to the 'G. Carn the Tiges! 

[WA Tiger]

Well I am sitting at the Johannesburg Airport at the moment and I will probably miss the game, gee I hope we win.... . Just hope I can get off the plane in Port Elizabeth and get some good news..

[Rodgerramjet]

The Tigers have had the wood over the Lions in the recent years with the Queenslanders recording just one win from their past seven clashes.

Geez ! us with the wood over a team ?? 

Yeah, it is funny isn't it 

[cub]

Leaving soon can't see betting at work! What odds Tigers 60+?

[Dubstep Dookie]

Just left, on the iPhone.

Any late changes?

[TigerLand]

There rucks a danger too - far to agile for Gus IMHO

This is a problem every week for us. I reckon you'd be too agile for Gus, WP  .

Need a decent ruckman soon.