Structure

[bg25]

Had to chuckle when reading TW's comment today in the Hun..."We have a group of guys who were desperately keen for a structure to be put in place and one that was attacking and aggressive in its nature."

Another subtle dig at the previous incumbent...he could also have mentioned that:
- some of them were desperately keen to be given a chance
- others were desperately keen to be given more than a few minutes on the ground
- others were desperately keen to be used in the right position
- others just wanted a coach that spoke English .

[letsgetiton!]

Had to chuckle when reading TW's comment today in the Hun..."We have a group of guys who were desperately keen for a structure to be put in place and one that was attacking and aggressive in its nature."

Another subtle dig at the previous incumbent...he could also have mentioned that:
- some of them were desperately keen to be given a chance
- others were desperately keen to be given more than a few minutes on the ground
- others were desperately keen to be used in the right position
- others just wanted a coach that spoke English .

amen!

[Tiger Spirit]

I can usually see the funny side bg25, but you must have a better sense of humour than me, because it doesn’t make me laugh any.  Not even smirk.

Moving right along though , it’s amazing how a truly professional approach to things can make a fumbling, bumbling, directionless bunch of guys trying to kick a footy look something like a team in virtually no time at all.  Well, it’s not really amazing, it should be expected. 

And how much difference does it make when a coach puts faith in his players and gives them some direction?

It’s only very early days yet, but already you can see the difference that TW’s approach has made.  I don’t want to sound like I’m getting carried away or anything, because that definitely isn’t the case.  I’m just rapt to see the huge difference in the playing style and especially in the players themselves.

I know we’ve won games in the past and hoped we were going places, but the last couple of weeks gives you more than just hope.  And it’s not that we’re winning or the margins, it’s that players are actually driving the results, rather than circumstances.  That hasn’t been the case in the past.

The good thing is that we know where we’re going and that it’s going to take time.  And it’ll be worth the wait.  Having survived the past, a bit worse for wear, but nothing to worry about , and with enough sanity left , I’m looking forward to seeing united, confident, motivated and committed players out on the field.  How good will it be when they’re the ones wearing a Richmond jumper.

[Moi]

Be happy about the changes, but remember there's hardly been any pressure in the last couple of weeks.  Been like doing drills at training.  I'd like to see a few more games against better opposition and then see how good we feel about the transition from Spud to Tezza.  Pretty obvious already there's been an improvement, but we've hardly been tested in the last couple of weeks.

[Tiger Spirit]

The only thing I’m expecting is that we see some improvement; anything else is a bonus at this stage.  And I’m never one to rap a big win, because it usually means there’s little, if any, pressure from the opposition.

To me it’s not the result or margin that matters at the moment, but how the results are achieved.  We know there was hardly any pressure against Carlton, but in previous seasons the players would have got comfortable with themselves at some stage and we would never have won by that much. 

The difference you can see with the last two weeks, especially against Carlton, was the team work that hasn’t been there before.  Rarely did you see players work with and for one another the way they did on the weekend.  I don’t remember seeing that before and it was fantastic to see.  It was like they actually knew one another and what to expect from one another.  Especially coming out of defence.

That may all come unstuck under pressure, and there’s obviously lots of areas to work on but, for now, at least we can see the start of some real improvement.

[mightytiges]

Adding Knobel, SImmonds, Tuck, Deledio plus a fully fit Cogs and Gas has had a big influence in improving our structure. Stafford also missed a heap of footy last year and Hyde and Pettifer weren't playing the standard of footy they have this year. That's 7-9 new or virtually new players (more than a third of a side) that have walked into our best 22. Just adding Cogs, Tuck and Hyde into the midfield is like creating a new centreline and with Knobel and Simmonds plus Gas back in form our spine is much stronger and alot sturdier (provided Hall keeps his current form up) and more importantly versatile in terms of the ability to rotate talls as well as smalls. Then of course there's Wallace, Royal and co teaching the boys how to play positive attacking modern footy unlike the previous coaching staff which makes the most of this improved structure. We still have major deficiences (lack of skill under pressure as TS mentioned being one of them) and we still have a long way to go but you can now see where the improvement has come from. 

[WilliamPowell]

Be happy about the changes, but remember there's hardly been any pressure in the last couple of weeks.  Been like doing drills at training.  I'd like to see a few more games against better opposition and then see how good we feel about the transition from Spud to Tezza.  Pretty obvious already there's been an improvement, but we've hardly been tested in the last couple of weeks.

Fair point in regards to Carlton Moi but I reckon there was alot to be impressed about when you look at the Port Adelaide game.

Last year if we had been in the same position (down by 28 odd points half way through the 2nd qtr) we would have lost, quite possibly belted. Last season in those situations the mind set was into survival mode trying to minimise damage rather than thinking we were still a chance here. 2 weeks ago for the first time in I don't know how long the Tigers kept fighting and for me that means there is improvement.

There will be ups and downs but at least we seem to getting something a contest, a game plan  .

These days I actaully look forward to going to watch the footy as opposed to looking forward to going to the footy to catch up with mates which in 2004 was the only reason I kept going

[Cain]

our spine is much stronger and alot sturdier

We have a spine - (in more ways than one) thats the most pleasing aspect

[mightytiges]

We have a spine - (in more ways than one) thats the most pleasing aspect

LOL - so true