Ross Lyon wary of running Richmond Tigers Brad Elborough
The Age
June 4, 2015 Fremantle have noticed a change in Richmond's game style from the start of the season when they were getting scored off turnovers way too easily.
As the Dockers prepare to play the Tigers at Domain Stadium on Friday night, coach Ross Lyon said they're aware that in recent games, Damien Hardwick has slowed down the way his side moved the ball, with good results.
There's no coincidence too that Richmond's good form has coincided with the return of midfielder Brett Deledio.
"Look, they've (won) three in a row. Like most AFL teams, they run hard," he said.
"They've adjusted their ball movement. They were getting scored off turnover heavily so they're going a bit slower; a lot of short kicks, controlling the ball a little bit more.
"They get good run from behind and their forwards lead up really well. They are really good around the ball.
"Deledio has been really important coming back; (Trent) Cotchin and (Dustin) Martin, (Bachar) Houli and (Jack) Riewoldt and those guys are in really good form so, yeah, we expect a big challenge.
"Deledio back for them is really important. It's just that weight of numbers thing, it's just another one that helps the others. With his return (Brandon) Ellis gets to play a little bit better and gets more support, that's what it's all about."
In the Tigers past three wins, Deledio has averaged 28 possessions and kicked three goals. Ellis has averaged 31 possessions in the same time.
After a gruelling victory over Adelaide last Saturday night, Lee Spurr is the only Docker fighting to be fit in time to play on Friday night.
He could be given until Friday morning to prove he has overcome a "corkie".
With Zac Dawson requiring surgery on a newly broken thumb on Tuesday, his return has been set back as much as two months, meaning managing Luke McPharlin becomes more of a priority.
"We'll look after Luke McPharlin today, just as a precaution obviously with Zac Dawson having his operation yesterday," Lyon said.
"So we'll just be really cautious with him and he'll do light duties but he'll definitely play.
"There's a few we'll just manage a little bit but we'll get them up and going by the end of the session but we're in pretty good nick really."
Tendai Mzungu is waiting on the sidelines should Spurr not get up, but has not played football for a couple of weeks due to WAFL byes and travelling with the side as an emergency.
He has been outstanding for Peel Thunder in the four games that he has played and Lyon said that his pace would be fresh if was called upon to return to AFL ranks.
"(The lack of game time) is a concern and we don't like it because he's had the bye, but it just shows how seriously we take the emergency going over," he said.
"If somebody had gone down, we wanted the next one we thought best in.
"It's not ideal but he's a running machine and he is our best runner really if we are putting it all on the table. There's not many who can outrun him with us or in AFL footy.
"He'll come in fresh and on the ground, if he comes in."
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/ross-lyon-wary-of-running-richmond-tigers-20150603-ghfs04.html
