Tigers vs Eagles thread / Wallace savours Eagles test

[one-eyed]

Wallace savours Eagles test
5:35:08 PM Tue 29 August, 2006
Jen Witham
Sportal for afl.com.au

Richmond coach Terry Wallace has said he will use the Tigers' clash with the Eagles this Saturday to see how much his side has improved this year.

With the Tigers set to miss the finals and the Eagles likely to figure prominently throughout September, Wallace said the round 22 match will enable comparisons to be made between his side and one of the competition's best.

"To be honest, I think that we suggested our grand final was last week (against Essendon). We wanted to win the games that we thought people expected us to win and we were able to achieve that," he said on Tuesday.

"I think what we see this weekend is us being able to go out and see how far away we are from the top side in the competition.

"It just gives us a bit of a line moving forward, a line going into summer about where we are. We hope that line says we're not as far off as what some people might think we are."

Full article at: http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=293369

[one-eyed]

Midfield will be the key this week. Who do you guys think will match up on Judd, Cousins, Kerr, Fletcher and the rest of the Eagles midfielders?

[one-eyed]

Crows look at Tigers as last hope to reclaim top
Courtney Walsh
The Australian
August 30, 2006

RICHMOND could be the unlikely saviour for Adelaide's faltering finals hopes.

The Tigers face premiership favourites West Coast at the MCG on Saturday and their young brigade is looking to finish the season in style.

Key Eagles David Wirrpanda (hamstring) and Michael Braun (groin) could be rested for the match, while star midfielder Daniel Kerr and forward Ashley Hansen, who both missed last week's derby humiliation, will be tested this week.

Given Richmond pushed the Eagles all the way at the MCG last year, failing by just two points, an upset is possible, particularly if in-form forward Matthew Richardson, who kicked five goals in the corresponding fixture last year, fires.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20298636-36035,00.html

[julzqld]

Would love to see another race between Lids and Judd again.

[WilliamPowell]

I reckon Suga will get Judd.

Polo on Cousins

And I chuck Foley on Kerr 

[mightytiges]

Sounds good to me WP. We just need someone for Fletcher (Tuck?).  Match-ups aren't too bad unless the Eagles get on top in the clearances.

Cox vs Simmo will be a good battle. A chance for Simmo to grab a AA spot.

B:  P.Bowden    J.Bowden       Raines
F:   Seaby           Lynch           Chick

HB:  Hyde       Kellaway         Tuck
HF: Staker       Hansen (?)    Fletcher 

C:  Deledio         Polo          Tivendale
C:  Braun         Cousins       Embley (Shoulder?)

HF:  Tambling  Richardson  Pettfier
HB: Stenglein    Hunter        Waters

F:   Krakouer                      Schulz       Stafford
B:   Wirrpunda (hammy?)    Glass        Graham

R: Simmonds      Johnson      Foley
R:    Cox                Judd         Kerr

Int:  Pattison, Chaffey, White, Howat
Int: Banfield, Butler,  R.Jones, Selwood

In: Kellaway; Out: Hall (susp)

Eagles have a few iffys who may be out or will be rested for the finals - Hansen, Wirrpunda, Embley

Would love to see another race between Lids and Judd again.

Not many highlights that night but that was one of them  .

[one-eyed]

Eagles silent on changes
The Age

WEST COAST Eagles coach John Worsfold has refused to reveal whether he intends to rest anyone ahead of his side's bid to secure a minor premiership. David Wirrpanda (hamstring), Ashley Hansen (cyst) and Daniel Kerr (calf) will be monitored at training, before the side to take on Richmond at the MCG is confirmed.

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/08/30/1156816968264.html

Worsfold stands by Sampi
Courtney Walsh
The Australian
August 31, 2006

EAGLES coach John Worsfold yesterday said he would stick with struggling forward Ashley Sampi despite his prolonged run of poor form.

Sampi, 22, has had a troubled season and spent several weeks in the WAFL trying to regain touch and confidence. Since returning against Adelaide in round 17 he has kicked five goals, but has failed to add to the tally over the past fortnight and Worsfold was not pleased with his effort against the Dockers on Sunday.

"On the weekend, I didn't think he did it as well as he could have," Worsfold said.

But the coach said he favoured persevering with the forward given his match-winning capabilities in peak form.

"My gut feel is that he can still add a lot to our team," he said. "Over the course of a game, he will have a big impact in a lot of different contests.

"It's not about just kicking goals, it is setting goals up, having an assist in kicking goals."

Mark Le Cras, who kicked eight goals in the WAFL last weekend, is a likely replacement should Worsfold lose patience with Sampi in September.

Of more concern to the Eagles is the shoulder injury to vice-captain Andrew Embley. Worsfold said he was unsure when Embley would return.

"It's one week at the moment (but) it is one of those injuries that varies according to the severity of it," he said.

"Some players miss one game, some miss none with minor AC joints, some miss four or five if they are extremely bad."

Star midfielder Daniel Kerr, forward Ashley Hansen and defender David Wirrpanda all face fitness tests before Saturday's match at the MCG against Richmond, an opponent Worsfold is wary of.

"Richo's (Matthew Richardson) in very good form and Richmond are in very good form," he said.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20307750-36035,00.html

[one-eyed]

Round 22 previews
31 August 2006   Herald-Sun
John Salvado (AAP)

RICHMOND V WEST COAST at MCG 2.10pm

Head to head: Richmond 11, West Coast 17

Last time: West Coast 20.16 (136) bt Richmond 14.6 (90) R3 2006 Subiaco

TABSportsbet: Richmond $2.20, West Coast $1.62
Centrebet: Richmond $2.15, West Coast $1.71

West Coast would dearly love to have been able to rest some senior players from this clash, sparing them the long trip across the Nullarbor the week before the finals. But the last thing the Eagles want is to play red-hot Fremantle in the qualifying final. And the only way to ensure that doesn't happen is to win this match and secure the minor premiership. Richmond has finished the season strongly and is riding a three-match winning streak. The Tigers will farewell Greg Stafford and Mark Chaffey.

Key: Matthew Richardson. The big Tiger is in stunning form, although Darren Glass will provide much tougher opposition than Essendon's Kepler Bradley, who conceded nine goals to Richo last week.

Tip: West Coast by 20 points.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20317448%255E19742,00.html

[one-eyed]

Most of the "experts" are writing us off this week although Caro and Mike are on the Tiger bandwagon   .

The Age: 2-14
Herald-Sun: 3-15

[Puntroadroar]

When ever Wallace has come out and said this is a good test to see where we are at during this year, be have been belted.

I am concerned that our Midfield (we couldnt even match Essendon) will get slaughtered and if that happens the way our backline is it will be bloody ugly. Hopefully we can hold on against an early onslaught (WCE will be keen to come out early and hammer us after their effort last week) if we hold on I think we could go all the way to knocking them off but I just fear the midfield battle..............

 

[PuntRdRoar]

Whatever happens....everyones gotta give the ball to Krak and Tuck especially near goals, hand them goals on a platter it doesnt matter, everyone should also be instructed to get the ball to Krak & Tuck...everytime they see Krak or Tuck even if there like 40 metres behind play, even if theyre is in the grandstand buying a hotdog...give them the ball! Everytime someone takes a catch inside 50, the plough should order the player feigns cramp and give the ball to Tucky and Krak to take the shot! What a gameplan. We will win for sure with this plan

[mightytiges]

LOL Ramps.

The Eagles won't have Kerr so that's one less of their fab midfielders to worry about. Last year Judd and Matera were the difference. We seemed to match up well on the rest and the game is at the 'G which the Eagles struggle at. So if Sugar can nullify Judd like he did at Subi earlier this year then I'd reckon we are good show. Hopefully our midfielders realise they played ordinary last week and didn't respect their bomber opponents and so are switched on tomorrow.

[mightytiges]

Welcome back to reality Tiges. What a shocker  . We just didn't want to be out there today. LOL @ Tezza going off his nut in the box on the phone.

The only positives were Lids' game and that the club will go into summer knowing we are miles behind the top sides  . Totally smashed in the middle and cut to ribbons with the Eagles running power. Says alot that mostly nobodies and Demon rejects bagged goals  .

A fair few careers ended today and not just Staff and Chaff.

[Fwoy3]

Did anyone see what happened to Sugar in the first five minutes of the game...copped a knock to the head under the pack in the forward pocket, Punt Road End. Stayed down a few minutes and seemed groggy for a bit after that...

[Moi]

Bully, did you hang around after I left to hear what Terry had to say?
Or anyone else for that matter who was at the social club.