Author Topic: Tigers’ Flea Amigos - Rioli, Castagna & Butler - have special buzz (Herald-Sun)  (Read 32790 times)

Offline one-eyed

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Tigers’ Flea Amigos have special buzz

GLENN McFARLANE,
Herald Sun
March 30, 2017


JACK Riewoldt has dubbed them “The Three Amigos”.

Richmond small forwards Daniel Rioli, Jason Castagna and Dan Butler have been tipped to play a big role in the club’s revival this season following a great start to 2017 against Carlton last week.

The three young cubs — each of them 182cm and below — have been charged with applying defensive pressure in attack this season. But they have also been urged to crank up the scoreboard pressure applied to opposition teams.

Each kicked two goals and had 15 or more pressure acts in the Round 1 win, and more is expected of them heading into Friday night’s clash against Collingwood.

Assistant coach Craig McRae praised the first-up efforts of Rioli, Castagna and Butler, saying it was a reward for their strong pre-seasons in forward defensive roles — an area the Tigers want to capitalise on this year.

“Daniel Rioli last year was a standout and now he has a couple of sidekicks to help him out as well,” McRae said.

“The game needs that pressure and forward-half turnovers, but the big thing with those roles is to put the pressure on and apply scoreboard pressure as well.

“It is only a small sample of the JLT Series and Round 1, but they have done well so far. There are going to be some ebbs and flows, but challenge is to remain consistent with your pressure.”

McRae, who played a similar role in his time with Brisbane, said the pressure applied by small forwards can be “infectious” for teammates.

“Jack (Riewoldt) had the (equal) most tackles he has ever had in a match (last week), it’s infectious, everyone buys into it,” he said. “All of a sudden the team is better for it.

“I am fortunate enough to see how hard those young guys have been working, the time and effort they put into getting better. They have worked on their kicking enormously. You don’t fluke these sort of things, it is all about the hard work you are willing to put in.”

McRae is confident 19-year-old Rioli, the smallest of the trio at 179cm, will become even more offensive this season after his strong debut season.

“He is impacting the scoreboard more than he did last year and getting the balance right (between defence and attack),” he said. “He is still a work in progress, but he is a great role model for our younger players with his enormous work rate.”

Twenty-year-old Castagna (181cm) was elevated off the rookie list last week to play his sixth game, and is working hard to grasp his opportunities.

And Butler (182cm), also 20, was a pre-season standout for the Tigers, rewarded for this with his debut match last week.

“If you had to rate pre-seasons, he (Butler) would be in the top two or three (at the club),” McRae said.


Daniel Rioli gets a lift from forward line mates Jason Castagna (left) and Dan Butler. Picture: David Caird


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmonds-three-amigos-daniel-rioli-dan-butler-jason-castagna-playing-key-role-for-richmond/news-story/79446238fe3c59383428065ce1169e98

Offline Tigeritis™©®

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Let's hope all the publicity doesn't give them the head wobbles.
The club that keeps giving.

Offline mightytiges

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We saw last night the lack of consistency you'd get/expect from young inexperienced players. They were all quiet for large chucks of the match. Having said that both Rioli and Butler kicked clutch goals under pressure and as I said in the matchday thread, the turning point in the game came when Butler took on his Collingwood opponent and was only stopped by being tripped up. We goaled from the resulting free and play and it woke the whole team up. We went from being stagnant and out of ideas to then moving the ball quickly and scoring freely.
All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be - Pink Floyd

Offline Willy

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We saw last night the lack of consistency you'd get/expect from young inexperienced players. They were all quiet for large chucks of the match. Having said that both Rioli and Butler kicked clutch goals under pressure and as I said in the matchday thread, the turning point in the game came when Butler took on his Collingwood opponent and was only stopped by being tripped up. We goaled from the resulting free and play and it woke the whole team up. We went from being stagnant and out of ideas to then moving the ball quickly and scoring freely.

Agrew. Very important play.

I thought George was a bit fumbly/nervous tonight but Butts and Rioli were still dangerous.

Offline Diocletian

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Castagna had a shocker -  can't fault his effort but really needs to work on his disposal, handling & decision making, lacks a bit of composure at times...
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." 

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FJ is the only one that makes sense.

Offline mat073

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Castagna was average. 

Butler and Rioli were also stinking the joint up for most of the night but came good when it mattered most .
Unleash the tornado

Offline Yeahright

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Castagna had a shocker -  can't fault his effort but really needs to work on his disposal, handling & decision making, lacks a bit of composure at times...

Can't believe some actually rate his kicking despite all the evidence to the contrary  :banghead :banghead

Offline Willy

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Something something steel traps. Like Whoah! 

Offline Andyy

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Butler sure is fast.

Keep playing them. More upside than Hunt, Conca, Houli, Morris etc as far as smalls go. Short too worth playing.

Offline big tone

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I was a bit disappointed in Rioli last night. For someone with heaps of talent, he goes missing for really long periods of time. Needs to be able to get involved more. Although when he does get it he is very good.
Agree with most on George last night, he did fumble more than usual. But you have to like a kid that isn't afraid to take the game on with footy in hand. I can except him getting caught a few times if he keeps taking on opposition side with his run and carry. And that goes for any player.

Also thought Conca was disappointing. If you want to talk about poor disposal, Conca is the worst in the side.

Offline Diocletian

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Thought Conca was ok by his standards and actually pretty good last week....still, if we're to ever become a serious football team  then the likes of him should be depth players at best...
"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." 

- Gustav Mahler


FJ is the only one that makes sense.

Offline mightytiges

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All 3 amigos were good today.

Rioli had a direct say in about 5 of goals.
Georgie had 8 tackles along with 16 touches and 8 marks.
Butler's speed once again important. 17 possies and 2 goals.
All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be - Pink Floyd

Offline mat073

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All hail the mighty amigos   :bow :bow
Unleash the tornado

Ruanaidh

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Keep playing them

Offline Simonator

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I read somewhere there's something that the opposition can't take alway from us and that's our pressure. These boys bring it. Hope they can keep it up coz it gets the rest of the team going