Funny how the coaches love him..
NAB Challenge: Richmond to persevere with Chaplin experiment
February 20, 2016 8:13am
Jordan McArdleHerald Sun
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Tigers press conference
TROY Chaplin the forward? Brendon Lade thinks yes.
Assistant coach Lade, in the hot seat for Richmond’s NAB Challenge opener against Fremantle in Mandurah yesterday, predicted Chaplin’s forward-line experiment would continue this season.
The usual key defender looked far from out of place when given his chance in the first half, bagging a goal with a clever rove and snap to prove he’s capable at both ends.
Lade said Richmond’s need for more attacking options could see the former Port Adelaide player up the other end of the ground more often, especially with fellow backman David Astbury enjoying a brilliant pre-season.
“He gave us something a bit different Chappy,” Lade said.
“He competed really hard and kicked a nice right-foot goal, (he) went back there in the last quarter as well and did some things.
“We’re still looking for one of those key forwards to step up and he’s done some good things over the pre-season.
“We know he can play back but he’s also shown he can play forward, for us it’s about having that extra flexibility now there’s more rotations so he’ll play at both ends.”
It was always going to be an uphill battle for the Tigers with stars Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance among others, and the 14.6 (90) to 4.6 (30) loss reflected that.
But Lade felt there were still plenty of positive performances from his first, second and third-year players.
“Corey Ellis showed a few little things, first-year player Mabior Chol did some exciting things up forward,” Lade said.
“We had a few good players go through a lot of areas, (mature-aged recruit) Nathan Broad played his first game of AFL.”
On next Saturday’s clash with three-time defending champs Hawthorn, Lade expects a full-strength side to take the field barring injuries at training.
“I think we’ll be pretty much at full strength and ready to have a crack,” he said.
Ty Vickery and Ben Griffiths are both in doubt to face the Hawks due to concussion.
In the Fremantle camp, coach Ross Lyon said small forward Hayden Ballantyne’s left hamstring injury was “really minor”, and expected him to be fit for Round 1 against Western Bulldogs on March 27.
Ballantyne will be interviewed by the AFL’s integrity unit next week after vision emerged of him using a mobile phone in the rooms during the match.
An AFL spokesman last night confirmed use of mobile phones by players was strictly prohibited.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nab-challenge-richmond-to-persevere-with-chaplin-experiment/news-story/470a22db5044c120cbc017c581951150
