Richmond is sick of hearing they don't tackle but can they hold up in September? Jay Clark
From: Herald Sun
August 31, 2013 10:19PMIT’S the curious case of the non-tackling Tigers.
A hard-to-believe story that follows a team to its first finals appearance in 12 years, albeit with a massive black spot in, what we thought, was a crucial defensive indicator.
We are told, the Tigers are sick of hearing how they rank last for tackles in the AFL. They have done so for years.
Their top-tackler this season is hard-nut Daniel Jackson, who averages four a game, ranked equal 85th in the league.
The Tigers quite rightly say they defend differently, applying pressure in other ways. They don’t try and mimic Sydney, the reigning premier and tackle kings.
But when the temperature gauge goes up five degrees minimum next weekend, and the game is won and lost around the contested footy, you wonder whether this yellow and black production will be a blockbuster or finals flop?
That’s not to say the Tigers aren’t desperate, or courageous. The sight of Steve Morris lunging head first at the ball through a nest of Bombers and Dylan Grimes backing blindly back into the pack last night would make their mothers cover their eyes.
What coach Damien Hardwick would also have loved in the 39-point win over Essendon is their aerial prowess across the back half. Something which was once considered an achilles heel for the Tigers might now be an ace.
Stoppers Grimes, Troy Chaplin and Alex Rance last night rolled off their men to intercept mark, showing repeatedly they can win the ball off the opposition.
It’s disciplined stuff from the midfielders, to first press up the ground to keep the ball in attack, then get back and help clog up space.
But the other beauty to the Richmond system that has shades of Hawthorn is how they deny the opposition the ball in the first place.
On Saturday night the Tigers smashed Essendon for contested ball and led for clearances. You don’t need to tackle when you’ve got the nut in your hand.
This Richmond team once considered one of the worst kicking sides in the history of football back in about 2010 have since become so smart with the Sherrin.
As they frustrated the Bombers on Saturday night, the Tigers chip short and kick laterally, going back and forth and waiting as long as it takes to find the free man with a yard in his opponent to hit up. It starts with whoever is in possession, holding the ball in the air.
Brandon Ellis ran his backside off to push into space and collect the short ball pushing upon the wing. Doubling up and back until his teammates found him, Ellis had 30 uncontested possessions at three quarter time.
It’s when the explosive Dustin Martin or Brett Deledio gather the ball that the trigger is pulled, and one penetrating kick can split the game apart.
While they are the pieces of play that stick in fans’ mind on the drive home from the ground, it’s the much more patient ball movement that has become the backbone of the Tigers’ rise this season.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-is-sick-of-hearing-they-dont-tackle-but-can-they-hold-up-in-september/story-fndv8t7m-1226708294907
