Tigers eager to hit Dons

[one-eyed]

Tigers eager to hit Dons
30 April 2006   
Sunday Herald Sun
Jon Ralph

RICHMOND has begun the mind games in an attempt to get back on level terms for next week's Dreamtine at the 'G blockbuster against Essendon.

Star midfielder Mark Coughlan yesterday began the one-upmanship by suggesting the Bombers didn't rate the Tigers.

After a fortnight of good fortunes the Tigers are only one win away from a 3-3 win-loss margin, but to get there they will have to beat one of their bogy sides of the past decade.

Since 1998 they have lost seven of their nine games against Essendon, with an average losing margin of 57 points. Statistics since 1981 are equally grim: 32 losses from 39 clashes.

It is that domination that Coughlan is determined to overturn next Saturday night as the clubs celebrate the legacy of indigenous football.

"It's always a good battle with the Bombers. I don't know how much they rate us, to be honest, but we played our arch enemies (Carlton) this week and it's another one next week, so it will be good," he said.

"I just think over the years they have underestimated us and we have caught them napping a couple of times, but they are one side that has had some really good wins over us and we will be pretty fired up next week.

"I think they have rated themselves against us and it will be good next week. I will be really fired up."

Coughlan described Richmond as "mentally fatigued" on Friday night when they dominated but failed to put away the opposition due to 53 clangers and 5.14 from set shots.

But while skill levels leave plenty of room for improvement, Coughlan believes the side is developing well after the embarrassing Round 1 capitulation against the Bulldogs.

"I think Terry (Wallace) said it's the worst win he has been involved in and I tend to agree with him. It was a pretty poor skill level by both sides. I thought we played better than them for the night but we just couldn't convert.

"(But) we are building. If we can get our skills right we can match it with any side. We are a good running side. We are quite fit.

"You just have to look at the Sydney Swans last year, they won a premiership from being hard and tough and one-on-one, and the boys have certainly gained a lot of confidence from last week and this week, the two games that we really needed to win, and Essendon next week should be interesting."

Coughlan says there is no reason the Tigers cannot be contenders, despite their nightmare draw for the first four rounds.

"Yeah, we knew it was always going to be a hard start to the year, and I think people might be looking at us now and saying, `They did have a rough start'.

"I think we are the number one tackling side in the competition and . .  it means the boys are having a crack."

Captain Kane Johnson played only 84 minutes on Friday night and must be in some doubt with a left hamstring strain.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,18972498%255E19742,00.html

[mightytiges]

Who cares if they underestimate us and don't respect us. I hope they do as the Bombers are crap but why mention it publicly ???. Just shut up and leave the talking to what we do on the field .

[Mopsy]

Who cares if they underestimate us and don't respect us. I hope they do as the Bombers are crap but why mention it publicly ???. Just shut up and leave the talking to what we do on the field .

Yes while wearing our 'straight kicking boots'

[WilliamPowell]

Who cares if they underestimate us and don't respect us. I hope they do as the Bombers are crap but why mention it publicly ???. Just shut up and leave the talking to what we do on the field .

Agree MT

 

Why do we persists with saying stupid things like that  ???

Everytime we do it we usually come out and get whipped and look like gooses

Just play the bloody game and win - that's the strongest statement any team can make

[PuntRdRoar]

both clubs will come out this week and make comments, everyones interest for this game to be a success.

[mightytiges]

It's more in our interests to win the game. As WP said we usually make gooses of ourselves trying to trash talk before the game. If you were Essendon you'd just laugh at these comments.

[letsgetiton!]

what worries me is everytime one of our players makes comments b4 a game, it usually backfires!
we dont have any akers in our team.  i remember years ago, i think it may have been hilton , who spoke out b4 a bomber game, iirc, it was hilton, correct me if im wrong, and teh bombers then came out and smashed us!

[WilliamPowell]

both clubs will come out this week and make comments, everyones interest for this game to be a success.

Talking up the game is one thing RT and I am all for that.

Trash talking the opposition is another and let's be honest we are no good at it as it always comes back to bite us

[Tiger Spirit]

Agree, just get on with it. 

At the same time though, I couldn’t find the edgy bit to the story.  It’s not like these are two teams that seem capable of walking the talk, to any spine tingling degree and that there’s gonna be hell to pay from either side.

Maybe it’s just me, but none of the comments seem outlandish or provocative in any way.  Just seems a case of a player feeling pressed to say something when there’s nothing really to say, and no other history to fall back on; more than anything else.  Hardly seems the sort of stuff that’s gonna get under anyone’s skin, or come back to bite.  I don’t see that anyway, no matter which way I look at it.

[mightytiges]

what worries me is everytime one of our players makes comments b4 a game, it usually backfires!
we dont have any akers in our team.  i remember years ago, i think it may have been hilton , who spoke out b4 a bomber game, iirc, it was hilton, correct me if im wrong, and teh bombers then came out and smashed us!

Who can forget the left-footed can-can line in the H-Sun in 2001 which Sheeds pinned up on the Essendon lockers. Or Spud coming out in 2002 after we flogged the Pies in round 1 and saying we were tougher and better than in 2001. IIRC the Bombers kicked the first 10 goals of the match  .   

[letsgetiton!]

what worries me is everytime one of our players makes comments b4 a game, it usually backfires!
we dont have any akers in our team.  i remember years ago, i think it may have been hilton , who spoke out b4 a bomber game, iirc, it was hilton, correct me if im wrong, and teh bombers then came out and smashed us!

Who can forget the left-footed can-can line in the H-Sun in 2001 which Sheeds pinned up on the Essendon lockers. Or Spud coming out in 2002 after we flogged the Pies in round 1 and saying we were tougher and better than in 2001. IIRC the Bombers kicked the first 10 goals of the match  .   

thats it, i recall that! i say lets talk quietly, softly...............but be loudly heard, esp after the game