Forget Hurley, Richmond needs quality midfielders: Ralph ... (SEN)

[one-eyed]

Forget Hurley, Richmond needs quality midfielders: Ralph

John Takemura
SEN
25 May 2016, 04:03PM


Instead of potentially offering massive money to lure Michael Hurley from Essendon, Richmond needs to look for top-line midfielders during this year’s trade period, says Jon Ralph.

The Herald Sun journalist says increasing the engine room, along with possibly another key forward to help out Jack Riewoldt must be the focus for the Tigers.

“I think the Tigers need midfielders ahead of defenders. Defenders are very handy, but midfielders and forwards win you games of football,” Ralph told Hungry For Sport.

“So, if I was Richmond or any other club these would be my priorities. Dion Prestia, Lachie Neale, Jaeger O’Meara and Will Hoskin-Elliott in that order.

“Then I would have a bit of a look around, whether it’s Mason Wood, whether it’s Caleb Marchbank, whether it’s Adam Tomlinson, whether it’s Cam McCarthy, whether it’s Josh Jenkins who probably will sign up, whether it’s Tom McDonald.”

He expects the trade period to be busy as many clubs have plenty of salary cap room, and hope the cap goes up in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“For round nine there are a heck of a lot of clubs with salary cap room, who’ve banked money, who’re waiting for the salary cap to go up,” said Ralph.

“There are a lot of clubs out there who are going to go very hard for players, it’s going to be a fascinating last three or four months before the trade period.”

Ralph has looked at the players who were traded in the 2015 trade period in the Herald Sun and he says several key things stand out.

“If you were an injury-prone player (Harley) Bennell or (Chris) Yarran you’re still an injury prone player,” he said.

“If you were a draft disappointment, you’re probably still a draft disappointment in (Jimmy) Toumpas and (James) Aish.

“Only the club’s that gave up big draft picks or made really smart decisions have reaped a quality benefit, Steve Johnson and Patrick Dangerfield and Adam Treloar.”

http://www.sen.com.au/news/afl/05-16/forget-hurley-richmond-needs-quality-midfielders-ralph

[Stalin]

Offensive wins games defence wins championships you flog

[WA Tiger]

Offensive wins games defence wins championships you flog

We already have 22 defensive players..

[Stalin]

Mostly crap ones

[unplugged]

Good article.  A couple of quality midfielders who can use the footy well has to be our priority.  Obviously ruck option needed as well.

I like Hurley but can't see him being worth the price tag and having a huge impact.

[Stalin]

Good article.  A couple of quality midfielders who can use the footy well has to be our priority.  Obviously ruck option needed as well.

I like Hurley but can't see him being worth the price tag and having a huge impact.

If Chaplin goes around again with favouritism via the manager te club is rooted

[WA Tiger]

Good article.  A couple of quality midfielders who can use the footy well has to be our priority.  Obviously ruck option needed as well.

I like Hurley but can't see him being worth the price tag and having a huge impact.

This is the usual statement from supporters, then players such as this move to other clubs and have huge impacts including playing in finals and winning them, usually against us. We are then left standing there with some crap pickup wondering where it all went wrong.

[Stalin]

Good article.  A couple of quality midfielders who can use the footy well has to be our priority.  Obviously ruck option needed as well.

I like Hurley but can't see him being worth the price tag and having a huge impact.

This is the usual statement form supporters, then players such as this move to other clubs and have huge impacts including playing in finals and winning them, usually against us. We are then left standing there with some crap pickup wondering where it all went wrong.

Like trelor smashing the tiges and having a chuckle

[WA Tiger]

Like

Betts
Gibson
Waite
Garlett
Kerridge
Burgoyne
McEvoy
Frawley

The list goes on, but for some reason a few of these players were considered finished and/or over priced. Funny how the RFC and supporters are the only ones that think that and now we have what we have...crap.

[Dougeytherichmondfan]

Like

Betts
Gibson
Waite
Garlett
Kerridge
Burgoyne
McEvoy
Frawley

The list goes on, but for some reason a few of these players were considered finished and/or over priced. Funny how the RFC and supporters are the only ones that think that and now we have what we have...crap.

Id strike Waite from that list. He's enjoying a renaissance as the third tall, and playing very well. There would have been an almighty uproar if we targeted him 2 years ago. Hindsight is a wonderful/horrible thing.

[WA Tiger]

Like

Betts
Gibson
Waite
Garlett
Kerridge
Burgoyne
McEvoy
Frawley

The list goes on, but for some reason a few of these players were considered finished and/or over priced. Funny how the RFC and supporters are the only ones that think that and now we have what we have...crap.

Id strike Waite from that list. He's enjoying a renaissance as the third tall, and playing very well. There would have been an almighty uproar if we targeted him 2 years ago. Hindsight is a wonderful/horrible thing.

They are all playing well that's my point, every time a player such as the above come up we get the usual, too much cost, finished, not what we need, bla bla bla....then we recruit crap...when are the RFC and supporters going to start realising that you get what you pay for and we must start getting the likes of these players.

[Stalin]

Chaplin as the third tall forward ....

Well done damien