Tigers on prowl for credibility - Sheahan

[one-eyed]

Tigers on prowl for credibility
21 May 2005   
Herald Sun
Mike Sheahan

BIT by bit, Richmond edges towards the credibility usually associated with teams sitting equal second after eight rounds.

We say "usually" because Richmond has a history of promising starts that develop into nothing more than despair.

The Tigers were 4-4 this time last year, 6-2 the year before, 4-4 in 2002, and missed the finals each time.

Wins and losses are merely vague pointers to Richmond's progress. The difference this year is the pattern of progress and how wins have been achieved.

A humbling first-up loss to Geelong was followed by three wins before a second reality check, at St Kilda's hands.

Unlike the Richmond we have come to know and loathe, it then responded with another three wins in a row.

In the process, the Tigers beat premier Port Adelaide, and then got home after starting a short-priced favourite against Collingwood, and Richmond and favouritism have a dark history.

In keeping with Terry Wallace's bold pre-season aim, the Tigers are averaging 104 points a week.

Mark Coughlan is back from a career-threatening injury, Darren Gaspar from oblivion, Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson are second and third on the goalkicking table, and Shane Tuck is a virtual recruit, averaging 22 touches a game.

Life is just peachy at Punt Rd.

Now, to Round 9 and the start of the most searching three weeks of the season for the Tigers: engagements with the Brisbane Lions – at the Gabba – Melbourne and West Coast.

Is the progress real or imagined? Is Wallace a messiah? Can the Tigers make the eight for only the second time in 10 years?

As good as the form has been, the fact is four of Richmond's six victims occupy the bottom four positions on the ladder: Collingwood, Hawthorn, Carlton and Port Adelaide.

Fremantle is the only top-eight scalp, and Old Xaverians would start favourite against the Dockers in Melbourne.

Yet, like Freo, Richmond also has a strong aversion to leaving home.

A road trip and an opponent of genuine quality has proved a lethal combination in the past, with the Tigers winning just six of 24 interstate assignments this century.

A win tonight would go a long way towards silencing the doubters, even if Brisbane is a long way short of its standard of the past four years.

A loss would lead to renewed cynicism about a club that has floundered for more than 20 years.

Wallace will have them ready. Not only is he a good coach, he is a master psychologist.

He gets into people's minds. He did it at Footscray, he is doing it at Richmond, convincing everyone they will succeed if only they stay faithful to the plan.

He was proved correct again last Sunday when a lethargic group trailed Collingwood by eight points at three-quarter time and won by 35.

Pre-Wallace, everyone in the club would have been consumed by one thought: What if we lose to Collingwood in the shape it's in? We'll be a laughing stock . . . again.

The maturation process, though, is still in its early days.

No club in the competition has enjoyed a better draw: all eight games at the MCG or Telstra Dome. There have been no injuries to speak of, although David Rodan and Jay Schulz would be useful, and there was an ounce or two of luck against both Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.

While the Tigers will be nervous tonight, they shouldn't be overawed. They shocked Brisbane with their pace and aggression in a pre-season game the Lions thought would kick-start their season.

If they can hold their nerve and play to their strengths, they have to be a big chance.

Wallace will hammer home the message that they must run the Lions off their legs. No one is sharper in the mind and with their hands than the Brisbane boys, but the legs are heavy and tired.

The metaphorical weight of three premiership medallions grows heavier by the week in a season when things aren't going right. And the way Hawthorn and the Bulldogs upset Brisbane in the past month won't have escaped Wallace's attention.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The free-to-air TV networks haven't, again allowing Fox Footy exclusivity to another Richmond game.

Credibility: easily lost, damn hard to find.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,15352496%255E19771,00.html

[mightytiges]

The Tigers were 4-4 this time last year, 6-2 the year before, 4-4 in 2002, and missed the finals each time.

Yeah in 2003 we fell away but our good start that year was due to Cambo, Cogs and Johnson all being fit and firing early and a number of our "duds" at the time actually contributing to our wins. Once Cambo copped that calf injury which made him miss most of the 2003 and Johnson missed a few games through injury, Cogs had to carry the midfield alone as our depth was crap and the duds went back to being duds. Also Gas did his knee.

As for the other two years 4-4 is hardly something to boast about  ???. Plus we were 2-3 in 2002 and 1-4 last year before scrapping couple of wins against bottom sides to get to 4-4 in the first place. Just the media trying to make something up that was never there  . It's all irrevelant given we have a new coach, new gameplan and half the side has changed. Plus it's still a five year deal to rebuild the side and list. Nothing's changed just because we are doing better than expected.

Yet, like Freo, Richmond also has a strong aversion to leaving home.

That's why they knocked off the Dees 2 weeks later at the 'G.

A road trip and an opponent of genuine quality has proved a lethal combination in the past, with the Tigers winning just six of 24 interstate assignments this century.

Like to know of a Vic club that doesn't have a horrible interstate record. Didn't the Cats only win once from their last 17 trips before this year?!

A win tonight would go a long way towards silencing the doubters, even if Brisbane is a long way short of its standard of the past four years.

A loss would lead to renewed cynicism about a club that has floundered for more than 20 years.

If we win there'll still be those in the media who'll say it was only against a Brisbane side who would have lost their past 4 home games out of 5. If we lose then it's up to us to regroup and win just as we did after getting by Geelong and the Saints.

No club in the competition has enjoyed a better draw: all eight games at the MCG or Telstra Dome. There have been no injuries to speak of, although David Rodan and Jay Schulz would be useful, and there was an ounce or two of luck against both Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.

After finishing last and having had back-to-back road trips the past couple of years about time we got a kind draw.

As for no injuries to speak of... WTF ??? Schulz and Rodan haven't played all year. Hartigan hasn't played since round 3. Hyde hasn't played since round 5 and we've still won without him. Sugar and Staff have missed at least a couple of games. Richo is carrying a knee. Sure we haven't had it as bad as some other sides but we've still copped our fair share.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The free-to-air TV networks haven't, again allowing Fox Footy exclusivity to another Richmond game.

The FTA networks are 6 weeks behind (ridiculous in itself) so they are still basing form on round 3. Not much the team can do about that. At least we'll be on FTA next week on Friday night against the Dees. 

[cub]

At least we'll be on FTA next week on Friday night against the Dees. 

And I will as usual be at the dome  WHY isn't it at the G 

As TW says these start figures are totally irrelevant - as MT has just dissected.

Thing is we have 3 pretty tough games starting with the bad news bears - We can only prove a point to ourselves here and do I really care what anyone thinks NOT really. If we lose it will be there go the tigers again and if we win we only beat the bears which have allready lost to bla bla at bla bla bla 

Melbourne will be tough don't worry about that with Nietz and Bruce back today they would of had a chance to run themselves in and Melbourne will be a different prospect - lets hope they do the Blues today.

WCE - This is one game I am really looking forward too - I just have that feeling.

Time to start finding out how far we have actually come in such a miniscule amount of time. Lets hope it's in the positive 

NB: On an unbiased note I said after ST Kildas start a couple of year back after thier 10 straight they would fall back to the pack as it is hard for the young fellas in the big time to stay up for a whole season - They need a few years to get used to it - so I will have to stick with this for our team as well.

All in all great start and if we sneak into the finals I will now some very happy people based on pre season expectations.

 End note - CONFIDENCE can be very underatted and if we can win a couple of these next 3 WHO KNOWS 

[mightytiges]

One down, two to go. The baggers will still not rate us as they'll say the Lions are a bottom eight side who have lost all but one home game. In fact as the ladder now stands 6 of the sides we've beaten are outside the top 8; the exception being Freo. Let those twits in the media underestimate us and make a fool of themselves in the process. As David King said a couple of weeks back - rather chase success than respect. Nice quote on BF about success is for the living and respect is for the dead.

At least we'll be on FTA next week on Friday night against the Dees. 

And I will as usual be at the dome  WHY isn't it at the G 

If the Dees game was at the 'G you'd almost fill it next week. Friday night so the only game on, a packed members stand as it's Melbourne's home game and both sides near the top of the ladder and in winning form. Playing the match at the Dome restricts the crowd to just under 50,000 when a few more would've gone to the 'G. The MCC members don't like the Dome. In any case we should outnumber them. The only good thing about it being played at Docklands is Melbourne seem to be a better side at the 'G than the Dome.

[julzqld]

How's them apples!

[WilliamPowell]

To be perfectly honest I don't give a "rats" whether the media, other Clubs, other fans or anyone else rates and/ore respects us or not.

They (the medai) wont because they don't want to and I don't care.

I doubt that Tezza cares either.

All I care about is that my team is winning and as a result of that they earn more of my respect each week and at the end of the day it is the respect of its members and supporters that should be what our club is about

[Fishfinger]

The MCC members don't like the Dome.

That's because you have to pay to get in. The only advantage of being an MCC member for games at TD is you can book a seat in Access One for $23.
The Melbourne element of my family tell me that Friday will be a ticketed match.

[WilliamPowell]

The Melbourne element of my family tell me that Friday will be a ticketed match.

I agree Fish, I am expecting the AFL to announce tomorrow that;s it gonna be fully ticketed

[mightytiges]

The Melbourne element of my family tell me that Friday will be a ticketed match.

I agree Fish, I am expecting the AFL to announce tomorrow that;s it gonna be fully ticketed

I read somewhere on the BF main board IIRC that they have already made it a fully ticketed game. It should be at the 'G. They would have got 65,000. The Dees are being denied the extra gate receipts and $$$ they would have got from a big MCG crowd.

[WilliamPowell]

I read somewhere on the BF main board IIRC that they have already made it a fully ticketed game. It should be at the 'G. They would have got 65,000. The Dees are being denied the extra gate receipts and $$$ they would have got from a big MCG crowd.

I have spoken to the AFL this morning and they told me that this a walk up game - it is NOT a ticketed game.

Alll I can say is .................. OH DEAR

[letsgetiton!]

I read somewhere on the BF main board IIRC that they have already made it a fully ticketed game. It should be at the 'G. They would have got 65,000. The Dees are being denied the extra gate receipts and $$$ they would have got from a big MCG crowd.

I have spoken to the AFL this morning and they told me that this a walk up game - it is NOT a ticketed game.

Alll I can say is .................. OH DEAR

thats because demon fans wont show as they the the rampaging tigers will maul them, thus they are all heading up to qld in case more snow falls there

[mightytiges]

I read somewhere on the BF main board IIRC that they have already made it a fully ticketed game. It should be at the 'G. They would have got 65,000. The Dees are being denied the extra gate receipts and $$$ they would have got from a big MCG crowd.

I have spoken to the AFL this morning and they told me that this a walk up game - it is NOT a ticketed game.

Alll I can say is .................. OH DEAR

First the AFL idiotically schedule the game between the two oldest tenants of the G at the Dome and now this. There's going to be some very angry Tiger supporters when they can't get in or don't get in until quarter time (a la the St Kilda in 2003).

[cub]

The AFL dont give a flying F about the supporters anymore - All they care about is some stupid fued with the MCC and the allmighty $ - Why would carlton be palying freo and port at the G - and we cope this. I dont give a rats if it is the "A"fl which some continually moan about. The comp was expanded from Vic and the G was and allways will be the home of football. Prelims and the GF should never be moved from there. I could probably make an exception for 2 south aussie sides or 2 WA sides but that is it.
I get totally sick of the sides out of Vic whinging and whining. In the old days of suburban football VFL sides had the advantage at home. That is no longer the case and the only teams with home ground advantages are the interstaters. Just about guaranteeing any half decent side out of vic a spot in the 8 and home finals to go with it.    

stuff the AFL and stuff Telstra dumb  Got my tickets anyway so no risks or queuing for me.

Like I have said before if it wasn't for the tigers I would happily give afl away.

Go TIGERS AND KICK SOME DEES ARSE FRIDAY 

[H Tiger]

If the Dees game was at the 'G you'd almost fill it next week. Friday night so the only game on, a packed members stand as it's Melbourne's home game and both sides near the top of the ladder and in winning form. Playing the match at the Dome restricts the crowd to just under 50,000 when a few more would've gone to the 'G. The MCC members don't like the Dome. In any case we should outnumber them. The only good thing about it being played at Docklands is Melbourne seem to be a better side at the 'G than the Dome.

Wouldn't the Dee's have had options about what games they would play at the Dome?

If so they may have suggested they would play us there because they didn't think we would draw a crowd.

As you say MT its on Friday night, its the only game, they could have packed the G as it's Melbourne's home game and both sides near the top of the ladder and in winning form.

If it was partly thier choice, sucked in Demons.

[mightytiges]

Wouldn't the Dee's have had options about what games they would play at the Dome?

I don't think any club does? Well Richmond for sure doesn't. The AFL in their wisdom  does the draw. As X mentioned this is all due to the fight between the AFL and the MCC over the prelim finals contract and we're the ones who get punished.

In the Age Caro says the Dees asked for the game to be moved but were told it can't. The AFL say they have a policy of playing night games in winter at the Dome. Let's just ignore that it is still autumn and as Caro said the Pies-Bombers game in mid-winter will played at the G  .

  The AFL does not believe Friday night's clash could produce a lock-out at Telstra Dome. Executive Ben Buckley predicted a crowd of 45,000 at Telstra Dome for the match-of-the-round clash.

"We did everything we could to accommodate requests from Melbourne and Richmond to play on Friday nights," said Buckley.

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/05/23/1116700649943.html

The AFL are living in fairyland if they reckon there can't be a lockout  ???. They have short memories from 2 years ago when we played the Saints.

Well I guess we all should get on our hands and knees and thank the almighty AFL for accommodating this our solitary Friday night game for the year   .