Herald-Sun's Footy Barometer - Round 18Monday, July 30, 2012RICHMOND
INJURIESJake Batchelor (knee) test
Ben Griffiths (leg) test
Gibson Turner (finger) 1 week
Mat Arnot (hamstring) 2 weeks
Nathan Foley (heel) season
Dylan Grimes (hamstring) indefinite
Ty Vickery (shoulder) season
ON THE BLOCK: Oh boy. Where do you start? A seething Damien Hardwick would probably have half his side on the block this week but the reality is many will be safe because there just isn’t the cattle to replace them. The Tigers worst enemy right now is their depth – or lack of it. Many players went missing in patches against the Blues – especially in the frenetic final five minutes. Addam Maric had no impact when he was substituted on, Kelvin Moore battled, Reece Conca hasn’t come on this year like a glossy draft choice should and the likes of Matt Dea and Jayden Post are fringe players at best.
ON THE CUSP: Not a whole lot. VFL affiliate Coburg, fielding 10 AFL-listed players, trailed 51-0 at quarter-time to continue the Tigers’ mare of a round. Hopefully Batchelor and Griffiths will be fit but Todd Elton was the only AFL-listed talent to show any promise Coburg’s 99-point loss. He and Brad Miller could be considered this week. And while he’s a little while off AFL action, great to see Brad Helbig back playing footy after a long layoff. Jeromey Webberley did have 26 touches for Coburg while Angus Graham recorded 47 hitouts, largely helped by Robbie Warnock’s withdrawal.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S FORECAST: The mental demons are now the worry at Punt Rd. When it gets tight the Tigers don’t go into their shells – they wilt. One expert yesterday lamented they gift-wrapped Carlton the four points on Saturday night. With finals gone its imperative Richmond finishes the year strongly to provide a platform for 2013. Trips to face Freo and the Lions as well as a clash with Essendon shape as stern tests. It’s immeasurable but would love to know how much scarring the Gold Coast loss inflicted on Richmond.
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