Coach's 'Pet' fires
24 April 2005
Sunday Herald Sun
Howard Kotton
By the end of last season his future at Richmond was in doubt, but Kayne Pettifer is proving a vital part of the Tigers' renaissance, reports Howard Kotton. AT the end of last season, Kayne Pettifer knew he was under pressure to retain his spot on Richmond's list. He had read the newspapers and the drums were beating.
Enter a new coaching panel, headed by Terry Wallace, and suddenly his worst fears were allayed.
"I thought I finished last year off OK," said Pettifer, who kicked four goals against Melbourne in Round 17 before succumbing to knee and ankle problems.
"I didn't think I would get the flick, but there was a bit in the paper . . . and it did cross my mind. There were a few doubts there and I got nervous at a couple of stages.
"When Terry first came down, he backed me in and thought I had a bit to offer. That helped me have a pretty good pre-season.
"I know I've copped a bit of flak, but Terry has shown a fair bit of faith in me and given me confidence to go out there and get the ball."
Pettifer has justified Wallace's faith in him, kicking six goals in four matches this season.
The much-maligned forward was instrumental in Richmond's Round 2 win over Hawthorn, booting two goals in a tight last quarter to ensure the Tigers' first victory after 15 home-and-away defeats.
"I didn't sing the (club) song once last year, so I got pretty pumped up after that (win)," said Pettifer, who played 10 senior matches last year. "I knew after I kicked that last goal that we were going to win."
Pettifer had an ankle reconstruction at the end of last season, but has worked hard to impress the new hierarchy. He has been helped by assistant coaches David King and David Wheadon, the latter giving him specialist tuition with his goalkicking.
Former skipper Wayne Campbell, used off the Tigers' bench this year rotating through the midfield and up forward, has also provided help.
"Wayne is very smart," Pettifer said. "He always ends up with 20 touches and brings blokes into the game with his smarts and skills. If he is not getting the ball, he's telling you where to go to get it."
Pettifer is part of a new-look Richmond attack. The Tigers no longer rely on Matthew Richardson and Nathan Brown to kick most of their goals; now there are others to share the load.
Last weekend the Tigers' tall forwards contributed 10 of their side's 14 goals (Richardson six, Greg Stafford two, and Trent Knobel and Troy Simmonds one).
"With Richo down there, there's a lot of big blokes for the opposition to mind and they can be a handful," Pettifer said.
The potency in Richmond's attack has not been the only outstanding feature of its past three wins. The Tigers' midfield -- led by the improving Chris Hyde, Shane Tuck and a fit Mark Coughlan -- has worked hard and provided plenty of opportunities up forward.
"Shane Tuck has been playing some really good footy, and Hydey has taken the next step and become one of our main midfielders," Pettifer said. "With 'Cogs' getting back to form, it's very exciting."
After making a disastrous start to the season against Geelong, Richmond has won its past three matches, but the Tigers face their stiffest test against St Kilda at Telstra Dome this evening.
The game will mark the first appearances by Knobel and Saint Aaron Fiora against their former clubs and the 200th senior game by Tiger defender Darren Gaspar.
"St Kilda was a kick off playing in the Grand Final last year and they beat the in-form Melbourne last weekend," Pettifer said. "This is going to show us where we're at if we're going to play finals.
"After the first game, we copped a fair bit of stuff in the media, but we had a fair bit of self-belief. There are a lot of guys who are playing with a lot more confidence."
Pettifer, 23, is in his fifth season since being taken at No.9 at the 2000 national draft. Tonight's match will be his 42nd game for the Tigers and he aims to complete a full season in the seniors for the first time this year.
"I thought I could have been gone, but in the end I hope I can get to 50 (games) and finish the year well," he said. "It will be a good achievement from where I sit."
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