Son shines after Raines
15 April 2006
Herald Sun
Mike Sheahan
GEOFF Raines thought his ears were deceiving him pre-season when he heard the cry "Pretty Boy".
He was sitting quietly among the crowd at Telstra Dome, watching Richmond play Hawthorn in the NAB Cup.
He knew there was nothing amiss with his hearing a week later when he heard the call several times more as the Tigers and the Bulldogs did battle in Shepparton.
Footy people know their history, even if it is the best part of 30 years since Lou Richards christened Raines "Pretty Boy" as he built a reputation as a dashing centreman with then powerful Richmond.
When you look as much like your famous father as Andrew Raines does, the same nickname is bound to get an airing.
There's no mistaking the son of the father, even after just nine games at AFL level with the Tigers.
The No. 4 jumper, the facial similarities, the thick thighs and slightly rounded shoulders, the long, sweet stride, the kicking style.
Raines, who turned 20 last month, is one of five sons of former players at Richmond this year.
Two Bowdens, Joel and Patrick, Matthew Richardson and Raines all played in the first two rounds, while Tom Roach awaits his next chance.
All the fathers – Michael Bowden, Alan Richardson, Michael Roach and Raines – are Richmond premiership players.
Raines, a property developer who divides his time between the Gold Coast and Melbourne, is thrilled by his son's progress on two counts.
There's the obvious parental pride, and there's what he refers to as "unfinished business".
"I'm excited for him," he said.
"We were really happy for him to come to Richmond. I think there's a little bit of unfinished business here.
"I would have loved to have stayed here but that wasn't to be.
"Hopefully, he can help re-establish the bloody joint with some of the other kids coming through."
Richmond took a punt on young Raines. The Tigers weren't certain he would make the grade, yet liked the idea of the sons of Geoff Raines and Michael Roach in yellow and black.
They went for the package. They took Tom Roach under the father-son rule and Raines with selection 76.
Two rounds into the 2006 season, Raines has been as good as Richmond has had. Despite growing up as a midfielder, as you'd expect, he has taken to his defensive role with aplomb.
Encouraged by coach Terry Wallace's pledge not to punish players run down trying to rebound from defence, he has given the backline a welcome splash of flair.
"Coming down as a 17-year-old was always going to be a big step for him, but he's just taken it in his stride," Raines Sr said.
"I was pretty happy for him to come down and learn the trade down here. I know Queensland's developing but I thought it was better for his education in football, whether it was TAC Cup or in the VFL, for his development.
"He'd actually finished his Year 12, so he was ready to move on, and Richmond put him in with a great family (the Morris family in Balwyn)."
Andrew said he was originally worried about his size.
"I was 70kg when I first came down; I'm 81 now," he said.
"Dad's always said to focus on your core because that's where all your power comes from.
"I've been training hard and a few things have happened for me but I've got a long way to go.
"When I first came down, they were going to start me in the (Coburg) reserves but I started in the VFL.
"Towards the end of the year (2004), I strung about eight games together of pretty good form."
Geoff remembers coming to Melbourne to check his progress late that year, going home to the Gold Coast thinking: "S..., he's really starting to improve."
Andrew: "I always wanted to come to Melbourne. It worked out really well."
He developed his skills kicking with his father and elder brother, Nick, who plays for Port Melbourne. The boys now share a Carlton house owned by their parents.
He grew up on the Gold Coast and toyed with rugby league for a couple of years while at Marymount College.
Kangaroo ruckman David Hale was two years ahead of him at the same school, while Nick Riewoldt grew up at neighbouring Broadbeach.
"I've always believed in his talent without rapping him up too much, but I knew it was going to be a bit of a journey, coming from Queensland, trying to break in," Geoff said.
"You can see the defensive, hard-at-it side of his game, but I think he's got some really damaging skills; he can break the lines."
The younger Raines can't be so specific about his father.
"I've watched a few tapes. I remember his last game, I think I was about three or four, at Carrara. I can still remember him running out."
Raines Sr is bemused by all the talk of the likeness between father and son.
"I listened to Triple M recently and every time he went near the ball, they were going on about it. I can see it but I don't see it as pronounced as others do."
The younger Raines says the fatherly advice is kept to a minimum.
"When I ask for some advice it's always there, but it's balanced. When I want my own time, he stands away."
Geoff: "I just tell him a couple of little basic things: be hard, contest, be accountable."
Andrew: "He talks about clean hands, he's always on to me about (hands) out in front, eyes on the footy, try to get a bit better in the air."
Geoff: "Decision-making. We used to just get it and go `boom' to the goalsquare to Roachy.
"It is more difficult now, there's no doubt about it."
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