Where and when are we playing next week/ Tiges vs Dogs trial match

[WilliamPowell]

Players:

Gaspar: solid and reliable – typical Gas. The backline looked more stable with him there. Even managed to run forward and kick a goal

Deledio: Class!! Only disappointment was him missing the easiest goal 20 metres out as he tried to kick the he ball into the main street of Kyabram from Shepparton

Raines: super impressive game. Improved on last weeks game and gave us great run and delivery sweeping off the HB line

Brown: Played 3 full quarters and it was great to see at times the Browny of old out there - the silky skills and polish. More importantly he attacked all contests without any fear or concern about his leg. SPen the last 15-20 minutes of the third quarter and got some clearances form the centre. Obviously had the Doggies worried in the while down forward as more often than not the had 2 blokes on him

Roach: played back pocket again. As mentioned found himself out of position a few times when the ball hit the ground after marking contests. However his final quarter was more solid when he ran of through the lines and dished off a couple of passes that hit their target

Knobel: Very good first up effort by the big bloke. Dominated in the centre when he was there. Alternated with Pattison between the ruck and forward line. Missed 2 really easy set shots at goal

Polo: played the second half mainly in the centre and HF. Showed goods hands in tight situations. Needs to improve his disposal by foot (but hey he aint Robinson Crusoe there). Showed he can tackle very strongly.

Bowden P: Solid display again by Pat though his disposal at times let him. 4 straight behinds probably sums up his day solid but not as damaging as he could have been

Rodan: another positive step forward for D-Rod, especially getting through a game on some outback country ground    Disposal was a lot better this week and seemed to off-load to the first option rather than taking that one step too many like last week

Limbach: played about 45 minuted before being injured. Kicked a nice goal in the third. Showed good pace off the lead

Hall: seem to play everywhere, on the wing, down back CHF and some time in the ruck. Made a couple of poor decision in the first half that resulted in tunr overs. OK

Tuck: just keeps getting better. When the doogies were cvoming at us in the 3rd Tucky was bought back on and carved then up out of the centre. His work with Krak an absolute highlight.

Meyer: played the second half and kicked 3 goals in the final quarter. Hard to know what to make of Danny’s game. Sure he kicked 3 goals and reads the play well but a few times he got pushed out of the contests to easily. He just seems still to lean.

Jackson: execellent as a leading option because he is very quick off the mark and he’s a very good set shot for goal

Coughlan: most pleasing thing for me was to see him kick a goal on the run in the final quarter about 40-45 metres out and it go sailing through half post height. Very good game by Cogs

Schulz: started at CHB and played well despite his first 3 kicks missing a target, seems to be settleing well back there. Got moved forward in the final and kicked 3 goals – gives us an option to use him as a pinch hitter if need be.

Pattison: looked better this week. Playing in the ruck seems to give him a bit of confidence. A few times got caught out by not taking the first option. However, did take a couple of good contested marks in defence late in the game

Krakouer: Outstanding game. Every week please

Tambling: best game from Richard. Played in the mid-field, came off the wing and also spent time up forward. Work rate was excellent. Got to see the electrifying pace we’ve heard about. Disposal was first rate.

Hyde: BOG. Looks quicker this year

Tivendale: did what he needed to do although you could tell he was lacking match fitness. Pleasing was the fact he usually went with the first option rather trying to do too much

Hartigan: played mainly HBF and wing. Improved on last week like some others by not trying to do too much.

Hughes: long term prospect but don’t be surprised if he playes some senior footy this year. Was very impressed with his skills especially his pace of the mark and his hands – very strong and looks a great set shot for goal

White: played the first half. Was solid in tight but let down a few trimes with his kicking

Thursfield: needs some more beef on him! Started up forward when he came on and looked a bit lost but certainly makes up for that with doing the little 1%’s (shepherds etc). Looked a lot better when moved back in defence

McGuane: played about 40 minutes but did have much impact. Missed his first attempt at mark in the third but made up for it the second time round. Good learning experience for him

Kellaway: Played the loose man in defence and looked out of sorts at times – just a lack of match fitness I reckon. Improved as the game went on and took some typical Andy Kellaway marks.

Foley: solid game by Axel without being damaging. Needs to improve on his kicking as sometimes it seems too lack penetration

Humm: played the first half (I didn’t see him after that). Solid game again – reads the play really well, attack on the footy was very good.

Just on our Run & Carry game plan – IMO sometimes we try and run and carry a little too much rather than taking the first and usually best options. There were quite a number of times where we got ourselves into big trouble (read turnovers) by not taking the first option and holding onto the ball and carrying it those few steps too many.

The other pelasing thing from yeaterday is we buried a team – we don’t and haven’t done that enough over the years and it something else that we as a team need to learn how to do

and BTW I failed ot mention it was BLOODY HOT

 

[Moi]

Sammy Lane agrees with you about Hyde being BOG, WP.

Eade's dog day as Tigers win
By Samantha Lane, Shepparton
March 5, 2006




RICHMOND 3.6 9.9 16.12 26.18 (174)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.1 8.3 13.5 15.6 (96)
GOALS - Richmond: Schulz 3, Jackson 3, Meyer 3, Hughes 3, Brown 2, Tuck 2, Hyde 2, Gaspar, Rodan, Limbach, Coghlan, Pattison, Tambling, Tivendale, Hartigan. W Bulldogs: Robbins 3, Hahn 2, McMahon 2, Hargrave 2, Davidson, Eagleton, Morgan, Murphy, Birss, Boyd.
BEST - Richmond: Hyde, Tuck, Coghlan, Raines, Gaspar, Kellaway. W Bulldogs: Cross, Hahn, Griffen, Boyd, McMahon.
INJURIES - Richmond: Limbach (ankle).
UMPIRES: Donlan, Jennings, Armstrong, Chamberlin.
CROWD: 5000 at Shepparton.

A DISAPPOINTED Rodney Eade said he expected more from the young Bulldog side he fielded in a practice match against Richmond at Shepparton yesterday, won by the Tigers by 78 points.

About 12 regular senior players, including Chris Grant, Rohan Smith, Brad Johnson, Scott West, Robert Murphy and Daniel Giansiracusa, were left out of the Dogs team after a taxing match last week in Darwin and, according to Eade, their understudies didn't cut the mustard. Richmond didn't exactly play its choice team either — Kane Johnson, Matthew Richardson, Troy Simmonds, Mark Chaffey, Greg Stafford and Joel Bowden were some of the senior players it left out. But after staying in touch for most of the day, the Dogs let a 25-point three-quarter-time margin blow out to 13 goals.

"In the last quarter we didn't really have any senior players on," Eade said.

"Our depth … we really gave our younger kids a go today, we rested about 12, I suppose it's not as deep as we thought. We're probably expecting more from some of the second and third-tier blokes.



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"I suppose it sort of shows too that you need probably senior blokes around for them to show something and take a bit of pressure off them, but we decided to throw them all in the pot today and see if there was anyone that stood up so there was a few disappointing in that area."

The Tigers dominated the first three quarters but didn't make it count on the scoreboard until the final term, when they added 10 goals. Jay Schulz kicked three final-term goals after being moved to attack, and youngsters Daniel Jackson, Cleve Hughes and Danny Meyer also finished with three goals each. Andrew Raines and Brent Hartigan were good and Chris Hyde was best on ground.

The Dogs looked directionless at times, without a reliable tall target at centre half-forward. Pint-sized Matthew Robbins was his team's major scorer with three goals.

SAMANTHA LANE

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/03/04/1141191888491.html

[Fluffy Tiger]

I went to the game at Shepperton to and must agree with most of what WP said. We didn't get there early enough to get a great viewing positon so there are certian aspects of the game that were very hard for me to judge. When you are sitting right behind the goal (at ground level)  it is very difficult to judge who is getting under the packs in the center bounces let alone whos doing anything at the other end. Anyway I will quote WP where I agree and don't

It was a very solid performance by the Tigers at Shepparton today.

Interesting reading the match summary from the AFL site because it listed Deledio as the best on ground but I didn’t think he was that prominent. The thing about Lids it doesn’t matter how many touches he gets it is the quality of those touches.

He also is a local favorite and many around us were saying that he was best on ground even though I don't think he was.

The game was very free flowing and the Tigers got the early jump in the first. Unfortunately bad conversion cost us hence the score of 3.6.24. The other thing that seemed to carry over from last weeks game early in this match was some bad decision making and poor skill errors that resulted in costly turnovers.

More bad decisions than skill errors. I must say that the guys seems to hit the target quite well today (form where I sat anyway)

Our backline looked a lot more settled this week with Gas back there. He started at FB, with Schulz at CHB and Andy Kellaway floating across the HB line. In the pack pocket was Roach who lined up on Matthew Robbins. Robbins didn’t have much influence on the game but Tommy got caught out a few times being in the wrong position at the fall of the ball after marking contests.

Gas and Kellaway have a great understanding but I must disagree on Roach. I thought he didn't look very good at all and was beaten often.

Andy Raines played a sweeping role of the HB line and was again very impressive. He was better than last week because he hit more targets. Hartigan has a similar role although he played off the wing a fair bit in the second half.

Agree.  Raines does look good and gee he runs like his dad.  

Knobel and Pattison rotated through the ruck for the first 3 quarters, with Ray Hall doing a bit of ruck work in the final quarter. Knobel’s presence in the centre was a telling factor in the centre because our mid-fielders seem to really read his tap work very well. Wallace rotated a lot of blokes through the mid-field. The most damaging combination was Tuck, Krakouer and Polo in the third. Krak and Polo got in an under, fed it out to Tucky and he’d fire it into to our forward 50. Others to rotate through the centre and impress were Tambling (best game I’ve seen him play), Deledio, Hyde, Foley, Coughlan, Rodan and some bloke called Brown 

Very hard for me to tell on this. Pattereson didn't look very good at HF when he was at my end but it was impossible to tell the rest. Tuck was second best of ground for me.

Tivva played off the wing and was solid – I’d reckon at least 95% of his disposals hit a target

Agree

Up forward they used Jackson – who was very good. Terrific set shot for goal and perhaps he’s found a spot finally.

Good shot for goal but to me he looked lost in the goal square. I prefer him down back.  Have to resectfully disagree with WP here on what I saw.

Hughes came on in the third and his impressed. First touch was a mark on a lead with the hands out in front with his Bulldog opponent applying pressure. He then slotted a 50 metre goal from close to the boundary.

Now we have a find here. He just has a knack of getting into space on the lead and most of it was without using other guys as blocks. Just has great vison and timming. Looking forward to seeing him progress.

There was a lot to like and it was good to see all blokes get game time. I’ll do a separate summary of the players but I’d like to mention 2 blokes.

Firstly Chris Hyde was BOG – he is back to pre busted skull form and on top of that seems to have picked up a yard of pace. In a word EXCELLENT

Have to agree there. Others got more of it but he busts through packs and around guys left right and center. He seemed to be everywhere.

Secondly, Andy Krakouer. Now I was extremely critical of Krak last week against the Dawks. All the things that I thought were lacking last week were all present this week. His intensity and attack on the footy were great and his ability to pressure the Dogs backline and keep the ball in tight resulted in a couple of Tiger goals. Wallace also gave him plenty of time in the centre and his understanding and work with Tuck was sensational – they just seem to have a great understanding together.

I cant say on this.  He played most of the game around the center and it was very hard for me to tell if he was getting in and under. Unfortunatly he still will be about number 6 or 7 in the midfiled rotation IMHO.

A couple of more things,  we did play more senior blokes than them but TW did thow the team about alot so it was a good win.  

Patty Bowden will be good for us. He is very hard to match up.

The ground at Shepparton had a very good surface and I don't think anybody would or could call it a goat track.

It was good to see the Kids (well most of them) even if it confirmed to me the ones that will make it and some I don't think will. We left just before the injury to Dean so I can't say how bad it was.

Had a great day as its only a 50 min drive to Shepparton for us.  I can't get to many games so had to make the most of it.
 

[Moi]

What did you think of Rainsey, Fluffy?  Will he play round one in your opinion?

[Fluffy Tiger]

What did you think of Rainsey, Fluffy?  Will he play round one in your opinion?

Andy Raines played a sweeping role of the HB line and was again very impressive. He was better than last week because he hit more targets. Hartigan has a similar role although he played off the wing a fair bit in the second half.


Agree.  Raines does look good and gee he runs like his dad.   

He will play R1 for me.

[Tiger Spirit]

Something that you don’t hear very often any more is the saying ‘first option is the best option’.

Just on our Run & Carry game plan – IMO sometimes we try and run and carry a little too much rather than taking the first and usually best options. There were quite a number of times where we got ourselves into big trouble (read turnovers) by not taking the first option and holding onto the ball and carrying it those few steps too many.

This was also a common theme of the game against Hawthorn last week as well.  But it’s also been a major feature (weakness) in our game for some time.

Some of this indecision will come down to confidence and experience, which can be rectified in time.

But is it actually a matter of waiting for players to become familiar and comfortable with the game plan, for things to improve in this area?

Or, is it an issue for other clubs as well, simply because players are trying to carry out the coach’s game plan, despite their natural instinct to want to use the first option?  That’s what I struggle with and tear my hair out when I’m watching games.

When players change their minds 14 times before they get rid of the ball, they are just asking for trouble.  Unless you’re Robert Harvey, or one of those players who has all the time in the world to use the footy, first option is the best option.  Surely.

Thanks for the reports and insights into the game WP and Fluffy.

[Bulluss]

The other pelasing thing from yeaterday is we buried a team – we don’t and haven’t done that enough over the years and it something else that we as a team need to learn how to do

Great point WP, for me it doesnt matter how many players they had out. We have played some crap teams over the years and failed to put them away. 10 goal last qtr playing all the kids shows that they are really keen to impress and hopefully they will bring a new mindset to our club which is so used to mediocrity. 

[mightytiges]

Thanks for the great summaries WP and fluffy  . 

Meyer: played the second half and kicked 3 goals in the final quarter. Hard to know what to make of Danny’s game. Sure he kicked 3 goals and reads the play well but a few times he got pushed out of the contests to easily. He just seems still to lean.

IIRC Meyer's gained 4-6kgs over since last year but he started from just 70kg so he'll still need a couple of more pre-seasons to build up his strength.

Pattison: looked better this week. Playing in the ruck seems to give him a bit of confidence. A few times got caught out by not taking the first option. However, did take a couple of good contested marks in defence late in the game

The ruck seems Patto's more natural role rather than playing at CHF which in future should go to Hughes instead with Sarge pinch-hitting.

Tivendale: did what he needed to do although you could tell he was lacking match fitness. Pleasing was the fact he usually went with the first option rather trying to do too much

I was talking to a bloke at training and he was critical of Spud trying to turn Tivs into a defender. Said some guys can only play one position and Tivs is one of them. Stick him on the wing/HFF and leave him there. It appears that's what Wallace is doing with Tivs now.

Thursfield: needs some more beef on him! Started up forward when he came on and looked a bit lost but certainly makes up for that with doing the little 1%’s (shepherds etc). Looked a lot better when moved back in defence

Thursty has only just comeback to training after his medial ligament injury so he should get better before round 1 with a few more runs under his belt.

Just on our Run & Carry game plan – IMO sometimes we try and run and carry a little too much rather than taking the first and usually best options. There were quite a number of times where we got ourselves into big trouble (read turnovers) by not taking the first option and holding onto the ball and carrying it those few steps too many.

Agree WP. Hopefully as TS said it's just a matter of becoming more familiar with that way of playing and knowing when to use it to the team's advantage.

[WilliamPowell]

Here's a couple of pics..............

First up Lids lines up

[WilliamPowell]

2. It's Cleve



PS: Look at the sign on grandstand - what an unfortunate name - would you buy a car from that man

[WilliamPowell]

3. Jacko and Browny

[WilliamPowell]

4. Pat Bowden after kicking his 4th...............behind

[mightytiges]

cheers for the pics WP 

The surface looked in great nick from those photos. We should play a preseason game in Shepparton every year rather than on some dodgy ground somewhere else. I read on a doggies board that it was a very pro-Tigers crowd but Lids might have had alot to do with that.

[one-eyed]

HE'S A GUN
By Richard Goodbody
March 6 2006
Shepparton News

Glamour Richmond utility Nathan Brown remains on track for a round one comeback after dominating at Deakin Reserve on Saturday.

The 28-year-old collected 14 possessions and booted two goals in the opening three quarters of Shepparton's AFL practice match before heading into the rooms for an early shower.

In just his second competitive hitout since breaking his leg in a sickening collision with Melbourne's Matthew Whelan in round 10 of last year, Brown moved with nonchalant ease as he crucified the Western Bulldogs.

"I'm feeling good," Brown said in the aftermath of the match.

"It was another step up for me because it was senior footy.

"I wasn't nervous. I was probably more anxious to see how I would go.

"I suppose your instincts take over and everything worked out all right."

After signing with the Tigers at the end of 2004, Brown was in sublime touch for his new club during the opening rounds of last year before tragedy struck.

While playing against the Demons, Brown attempted to evade Whelan during a tackle before falling and snapping his leg in horrific fashion.

The injury ended his season and required surgeons to place a 32 cm titanium rod in his right leg.

Not surprisingly, Tigers coach Terry Wallace was delighted his acting captain got through the hitout without incident.

"He went much better than I thought he would," Wallace said.

"Nathan was a little hesitant last week (in a reserves practice match with Coburg), but there was some good work and signs from him.

"He was able to win some of his own footy and pulled up okay.

"He is on track to play in round one, but we can't afford hiccups."

With more than 5000 spectators on hand, the Tigers ran riot in Shepparton as they hammered the Bulldogs by 78 points.

Barooga's Chris Hyde collected 27 possessions during his best afield display, while Kyabram's Brett Deledio once again demonstrated why he is the most impressive teenager in the AFL.

For the Bulldogs, Daniel Cross racked up a stack of possessions, rising star Ryan Griffen was impressive, while Mitchell Hahn, Matthew Boyd and Jordan McMahon were others to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance in the opening three quarters.

Richmond travels to Carrara to take on Sydney in a challenge practice match next weekend.

[one-eyed]

Crowd flocks to Deakin for an early football fix
March 6 2006
Shepparton News

It might be early March and the temperature might have been hovering around the mid-30s all afternoon, but try telling the crowd at Deakin Reserve it isn't footy season yet and they'd have mocked you with laughter.

As far as the 5000 or so people who flooded into the region's premier ground were concerned, along with the thousands who tuned in on FM 98.5 and 3SR FM, footy is back in a big way.

And while the local enthusiasts were more than a little interested in the form of local boys Brett Deledio and Chris Hyde, the biggest cheer was reserved for returning Tiger star Nathan Brown.

Despite the shocking leg injury sustained in round 10 last year by the former Bulldog, now Tiger, Brown took to his return game like a duck to water.

As the old adage goes, you can't keep a good man down.

As for the real deal?

It's just 25 sleeps to go.

Bring it on.