Richmond will not target Ottens in Round 1 clash
Posted Feb 15, 2005 - 13:16 PM
footygoss.com
Richmond will not intimidate new Geelong recruit and former Tiger Brad Ottens when the two clubs clash in Round 1, Tigers' football manager Paul Armstrong vowed yesterday.
They have got more important things to worry about, Armstrong said of the bulked-up Cats.
Armstrong watched the talented Ottens go through his paces in Geelong's final intra-club practice match with new Richmond coach Terry Wallace on Saturday and noticed the ruckman cum forward looking in really good shape.
"He (Ottens) is in good shape and obviously refreshed at a new club," Armstrong said.
"But Kent Kingsley was just as impressive and Nathan Ablett showed he has a lot of potential too."
Richmond season finished 2004 with 14 straight losses under Danny Frawley, with Armstrong telling the Geelong Advertiser he expected a much stronger Cats side in 2005.
"They're pretty well-advanced the Cats," he said.
"They look a lot bigger-bodied than a couple of years ago and have a lot to look forward to.
"Their backs were solid, their forwards all kicked goals and they have got a lot of depth in their midfield, with a number of players to rotate through there."
Richmond plays its opening Wizard Cup match against Collingwood on Friday night while Geelong takes on the Kangaroos in Canberra two days later.
Source: Geelong Advertiser