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Justin Leppitsch on RSN --- Tigers well placed despite late start

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one-eyed:
RSN Breakfast Club - Justin Leppitsch, Richmond Assistant Coach - Premiers Preseason

AUDIO: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/?id=168659

one-eyed:
Richmond Tigers well placed despite late start

Ben Higgins,
Herald Sun
18 January

RICHMOND assistant coach Justin Leppitsch knows better than most how to back up from a premiership.

A triple-premiership winner with Brisbane Lions, Leppitsch says the Tigers pre-season program won’t be hurt be the shortened campaign.

Instead, Leppitsch believes the cauldron of finals football will hold the team in good stead.

Daniel Rioli is the only injury concern for the Tigers with the exciting young forward in doubt for Round 1 after injuring his ankle in the Grand Final.

Leppitsch said there would be no Bulldogs-style hangover at Punt Rd.

“If you ask the players, the shorter pre-season, they love it,” he told RSN.

“The experience of finals footy versus the extra month of pre-season, I think I’d take the month of finals footy.

“We don’t consider it an issue and we definitely won’t be using it as an excuse going into the season.

“Winning premierships is very hard to do. First of all you’ve got to get to the top eight, preferably the top four, which is never easy.

“We’ve looked more at our program and improving it because if you prove the day-to-day you’ll improve overall. That’s been our focus more than stressing about what other clubs have done in the past.”

Leppitsch revealed Rioli was racing the clock after post-season surgery but talking up young draftee Jack Higgins’ hopes.

Draftee Jack Higgins looms as a possible replacement for Rioli if he doesn't come up for round one, with the small forward impressing during the pre-season.

The most physically developed of the latest batch of Tiger cubs, the 17th pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft and the 2017 Morrish Medallist has stated his desire to play senior footy sooner than later.

“Jack was touted as a really high pick, he’s got high energy, a real busy bee,” he said.

“It’s always tough getting into a premiership team. It is tough for a young boy. It’s easier to get a game at the bottom half of the ladder.

“We’ve spent a little bit of time with all the boys just drip feeding them in. They all look like they’ve got some really good talent.

“The two bigger boys (Callum Coleman-Jones and Noah Balta) haven’t done a lot of training yet.

Father-son recruit Patrick Naish is likely to be given plenty of time to develop his slight frame before he is considered for senior selection.

“We’re still making sure they’re right to go. You know how first-year players are like, you want to make sure their bodies are good so that when they play against men they don’t break down.”

The Tigers kick off their season with an AFLX exhibition against Sydney, GWS, Brisbane, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on February 17

The JLT Community Series follows with games against Essendon in Wangaratta on February 24 and North Melbourne at Carlton’s Ikon Park on March 7.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/justin-leppitsch-believes-finals-footy-has-richmond-well-placed-despite-late-preseason-start/news-story/39f258d627d893e96fa380242ac197f4
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-18/star-tiger-touch-and-go-for-opening-round

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