Head to Head - from different eras II

[one-eyed]

So who was the better forward? You decide out of the Taswegians.

MICHAEL ROACH
1977-89
200 games
607 goals
306 behinds
1 flag (1980)
2 Coleman medals (1980-81)
7 times club leading goalkicker (1979-81, 83, 85-87)
Club record for most goals in a single season (112 in 1980). Only Tiger alongside Jack Titus to reach the century mark.

1977 - 7.2........1980 - 112.42.....1983 - 37.22.....1986 - 62.26.....1989 - 9.12
1978 - 2.1........1981 - 86.31.......1984 - 36.30.....1987 - 43.35
1979 - 90.34.....1982 - 35.29.......1985 - 80.40.....1988 - 8.2

MATTHEW RICHARDSON
1993-present
234 games
690 goals
468 behinds
11 times club leading goalkicker (1994, 96-99, 2001-06) - equal club record with Jack Titus.
RFC Team of the century Half Forward Flank

1993 - 31.24.....1996 - 91.49.....1999 - 67.41.....2002 - 36.21.....2005 - 65.46     
1994 - 56.40.....1997 - 47.35.....2000 - 13.8.......2003 - 33.34.....2006 - 45.40
1995 - 27.3.......1998 - 55.41.....2001 - 59.36.....2004 - 65.50

[tiga]

They could both take a great contested mark. Roachy wasn't as mobile as Richo but he was a dead-eye-dick in front of goals which for me gets him over the line. I remember watching Roachy from the old southern stand on a regular basis. His shots more often than not were gun barrell straight with very little movement even in windy conditions.

[Darth Tiger]

They could both take a great contested mark. Roachy wasn't as mobile as Richo but he was a dead-eye-dick in front of goals which for me gets him over the line. I remember watching Roachy from the old southern stand on a regular basis. His shots more often than not were gun barrell straight with very little movement even in windy conditions.

Have to agree, Roach gets my vote because Roach has a superior finals record.

What was KB thinking IN '88 & '89 playing Roach in the ruck when he had lost his leap and was playing with dodgy hamstrings ?

[mightytiges]

Granted he didn't have much to work with but getting the players fit enough wasn't one of KB's strengths as coach although Dunne as assistant and reserves coach didn't help either. The U19 kids often came back to the Thirds less fit than when they were promoted  to the reserves ???. From memory after we got flogged by 20 goals in that Friday night game against North, KB finally putting the senior squad through a decent full-on training session midweek. They came out the following week and played all over reigning premiers Hawthorn for a half at Princess Park but kept the Hawks in the game with poor goalkicking and got rolled by the end.

As for Disco vs Richo, I would have had Roach well ahead as a forward before the last two years but I think Richo has become a more complete team player under Wallace. A sheer waste Richo didn't have a decent coach and more skilled teammates when he was in his physical prime  . I still went for Roach for the reasons tiga and Darth gave in particular his dead-eye set shots but Richo's workrate and longevity over 13 years has narrowed the gap. Let's hope we now have a list that in the next few years will allow Richo to play in finals regularly before bowing out.   

[LondonTiger]

This one is too tough to call.

Richo by a moustashe maybe

[WilliamPowell]

Richo for mine.

Mainly because he's been part of a average side for most of his career and he takes so many contested marks because of the crap delivery he receives. And when compared to a few so called "excellent kicks for goal" his record isnt that bad

Roachy was on the end of some great delivery early on: Rioli, Raines, Wood, etc.

[Mr Magic]

Richo for mine.

Roachy was on the end of some great delivery early on: Rioli, Raines, Wood, etc.

Fair point.
Imagine Richo on the end of that stuff.

However it's hard to compare as I think they are quite different players.

Roach knew where to lead and was a discliplined traditional FF. Tremendous kick too.

However he couldn't touch Richo for athleticism.

Still I'd prefer Roach by a whisker.
He was a true superstar and consistant matchwinner in almost our greatest team ever.

[one-eyed]

Bump. 2 years after this thread was first posted where does the Roach vs Richo debate sit?

(I've updated Richo's stats - see below)

MICHAEL ROACH
1977-89
200 games
607 goals
306 behinds
1 flag (1980)
2 Coleman medals (1980-81)
7 times club leading goalkicker (1979-81, 83, 85-87)
Club record for most goals in a single season (112 in 1980). Only Tiger alongside Jack Titus to reach the century mark.

1977 - 7.2........1980 - 112.42.....1983 - 37.22.....1986 - 62.26.....1989 - 9.12
1978 - 2.1........1981 - 86.31.......1984 - 36.30.....1987 - 43.35
1979 - 90.34.....1982 - 35.29.......1985 - 80.40.....1988 - 8.2

MATTHEW RICHARDSON
1993-present
276 games
791 goals
538 behinds
B&F (2007)
13 times club leading goalkicker (1994, 96-99, 2001-08) - club record.
RFC Team of the century Half Forward Flank

1993 - 31.24.....1996 - 91.49.....1999 - 67.41.....2002 - 36.21.....2005 - 65.46.....2008 - 48.30     
1994 - 56.40.....1997 - 47.35.....2000 - 13.8.......2003 - 33.34.....2006 - 45.40
1995 - 27.3.......1998 - 55.41.....2001 - 59.36.....2004 - 65.50.....2007 - 53.40

[Chuck17]

Since the question was better forward I will go Roach, but IMO Richo is the better player