Beware of Tigers left free to roamSteve Butler
The West Australian
August 18, 2012Richmond midfielder Brett Deledio says sending tagger Ryan Crowley to his side for another long, hard day at the office could leave Fremantle exposed to another of the most damaging midfielders at Patersons Stadium today.
Deledio said that being kept by Crowley to just 15 possessions - his lowest haul in three years - in a shock round-11 loss to the Dockers was a day he would like to forget.
In his other 18 games this season, he has averaged 29 possessions.
But while Deledio said he would embrace the chance to make amends against Crowley, who kept prolific Adelaide ball-winner Scott Thompson to 16 possessions last Saturday, he said leaving teammate Trent Cotchin with too much freedom would be fraught with danger.
Cotchin played what Deledio described as possibly his best game with 35 possessions and three goals in last Sunday's victory over the Western Bulldogs.
The No.2 draft pick from 2008 who has been touted as a future captain has produced stunning form of late and is one of the AFL's best midfielders.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said earlier this week that he would "leave it to the last minute" to give Crowley his assignment for today's match.
"You wouldn't really know which way they will go this time, but leave Trent Cotchin alone at your own peril," Deledio said. "He was bloody fantastic last week.
"But I wouldn't be surprised if I've got another little game against Ryan. He's good fun, Ryan.
"This year he's probably been your premier tagger and hasn't had too many guys beat him.
"I've played him a couple of times in previous years and we're probably about square and it should be a good battle if I get another chance.
"It's a lot different game if it's in the dry and hopefully I can turn the tables."
Deledio's placement in the list of games played among the Tigers spells out a lot about where their development stands.
Captain Chris Newman has played the most games with 211, followed by Deledio on 169. Shane Tuck is next on 159 and then Daniel Jackson and Nathan Foley on 120.
"We're still one of the most inexperienced sides out there other than the obvious couple," Deledio said. "It's a credit to our coaches and development guys to have our younger players up and playing their roles so quickly because it's keeping us competing in games and holds us in good stead for next year."
Eight defeats by less than 20 points, including three in a row by less than a goal, are almost certain to leave the Tigers wondering what might have been in 2012.
"That's something, as leaders, we've really tried to concentrate on - keeping the group jelled together and quite up and about," he said.
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