Tigers run out of excuses / Tigers' home truth

[one-eyed]

Tigers run out of excuses
15 April 2007   Sunday Herald Sun
Jon Ralph

COACHES are the perfect scapegoat for everything that ails an under-performing football side.

Bad recruiting, poor fitness, soft-tissue injuries, failing game plan -- it's all the coach's fault, because the buck stops with him.

Sooner or later, though, the blame must lie with those who utterly fail to execute his message.

Richmond is 0-3 and its season close to shot, because the Tigers have too many players who refuse to take responsibility. On Friday night against Collingwood there were no excuses for Richmond, save the absence of Nathan Brown.

The Tigers had the form, the momentum, and total dominance of a Collingwood side missing Nathan Buckley, James Clement, Ben Johnson, Brodie Holland, Alan Didak, Ryan Lonie and Sean Rusling.

Yet, when the game was in the balance, it was inevitable the Magpies would surge, and the Tigers would go into their shell like frightened little kids.

They have done it for two decades.

None of a swag of senior coaches has been able to break the cycle that sees the older players hand that mentality on to those entering the club.

Irate Tiger fans have used coach Terry Wallace's 2011 mission statement to heap scorn on the side in recent weeks.

But no side is more prepared than a Wallace unit, given a detailed theme and meticulous planning each week on just why it will win.

Luke Darcy has said it is Wallace's major strength as a coach.

The problem is that when the going gets tough and it is up to the players, the club has too few prepared to take a stand against the mediocrity that has plagued it since 1983.

Richo never stops working, but never stops losing opportunities for the Tigers through poor kicking.

The midfield has too many downhill skiiers prepared to work hard when everything is easy then slow to a crawl when they need to be accountable going the other way.

Coughing up three leads already means the Tigers will fear being overrun in every close game they play this year.

At least they stay in Melbourne for the next three weeks but face the Bulldogs, West Coast and Geelong. Then comes the Port Adelaide-Adelaide double at AAMI Stadium in consecutive weeks.

By the time they have faced Essendon in Round 9, they could still be winless.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21557881%255E19742,00.html

[one-eyed]

Tigers' home truth
15 April 2007   Sunday Herald Sun
Jon Ralph

RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace says the Tigers must capitalise on the next three weeks of home-ground advantage before a horror fortnight of travel that could see their season spiral out of control.

Already bleeding at 0-3 after giving up three last-quarter leads, the Tigers face the Western Bulldogs on Friday and must win to avoid their worst start to a season since 1991.

The draw gets no easier with the Eagles and Cats to come at the MCG before a fortnight at AAMI Stadium where the Tigers take on Port Adelaide and then Adelaide.

Wallace conceded the Tigers had to snap their losing streak against the Bulldogs, a side Richmond president Gary March this month labelled as a charity case that had failed to win a premiership or make a profit in the past 50 years.

"As the doors close, every game becomes more difficult and harder as it is," Wallace said.

"We have got a couple of real quality sides over the next couple of weeks and we don't have to travel . . . so there is an opportunity presenting itself.

"We know we are playing against some good footy clubs over the next couple of weeks. We know and understand that's the case and we will deal with it."

A rivalry which dates back to the 2001 Tony Liberatore-Matthew Knights off-the-ball incident has been continually stoked over the years, with Bulldogs president David Smorgon baiting Wallace and Nathan Brown over their departures.

Brown is hopeful of resuming against his old side and will be put through fitness tests this week, but must be considered in doubt after missing the first three rounds with a leg problem.

The missed opportunities are stacking up, with Wallace concerned about Matthew Richardson's kicking after he could manage only three majors from eight shots.

When Jay Schulz went off with the blood rule after marking 35m out late in the last quarter, Richardson had the chance to bring the Tigers within eight points, but he missed to the right.

"It's an issue and has been for a period of time. You kick the goal and we might be having a different discussion now," Wallace said.

"You take the ball and need to kick the goals."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21557754%255E19771,00.html

Richmond had many positives but it is almost impossible to look past the resounding nature of the loss and take solace from them.

Richard Tambling's best game, Brett Deledio's improvement, Jay Schulz's marking, the return of Troy Simmonds: all of them were overshadowed by a season quickly going nowhere.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21556187%255E19771,00.html

[Mopsy]

Tigers run out of excuses
15 April 2007   Sunday Herald Sun
Jon Ralph

COACHES are the perfect scapegoat for everything that ails an under-performing football side.

Bad recruiting, poor fitness, soft-tissue injuries, failing game plan -- it's all the coach's fault, because the buck stops with him.

Sooner or later, though, the blame must lie with those who utterly fail to execute his message.

Richmond is 0-3 and its season close to shot, because the Tigers have too many players who refuse to take responsibility. On Friday night against Collingwood there were no excuses for Richmond, save the absence of Nathan Brown.

The Tigers had the form, the momentum, and total dominance of a Collingwood side missing Nathan Buckley, James Clement, Ben Johnson, Brodie Holland, Alan Didak, Ryan Lonie and Sean Rusling.

Yet, when the game was in the balance, it was inevitable the Magpies would surge, and the Tigers would go into their shell like frightened little kids.

They have done it for two decades.

None of a swag of senior coaches has been able to break the cycle that sees the older players hand that mentality on to those entering the club.

Irate Tiger fans have used coach Terry Wallace's 2011 mission statement to heap scorn on the side in recent weeks.

But no side is more prepared than a Wallace unit, given a detailed theme and meticulous planning each week on just why it will win.

Luke Darcy has said it is Wallace's major strength as a coach.

The problem is that when the going gets tough and it is up to the players, the club has too few prepared to take a stand against the mediocrity that has plagued it since 1983.

Richo never stops working, but never stops losing opportunities for the Tigers through poor kicking.

The midfield has too many downhill skiiers prepared to work hard when everything is easy then slow to a crawl when they need to be accountable going the other way.

Coughing up three leads already means the Tigers will fear being overrun in every close game they play this year.

At least they stay in Melbourne for the next three weeks but face the Bulldogs, West Coast and Geelong. Then comes the Port Adelaide-Adelaide double at AAMI Stadium in consecutive weeks.

By the time they have faced Essendon in Round 9, they could still be winless.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21557881%255E19742,00.html

At Last someone has analysed the situation to a tee
I am surprised some of you arm chair coaches haven't commented on this post by now.
Is it too close to the truth for your liking?
Old Mopsy has been around for a long time and He states it as He sees it.

[Tigertailz]

Guess what people....the media scrutiny you have wondering about has begun!

[mightytiges]

[At Last someone has analysed the situation to a tee
I am surprised some of you arm chair coaches haven't commented on this post by now.
Is it too close to the truth for your liking?
Old Mopsy has been around for a long time and He states it as He sees it.

They've been very accurate articles about us this weekend. These two plus Mark Robinson's one. Hard to disagree with anything written. In a nutshell we have too many players on our list that are mentally soft. Some high profile  .

[Mopsy]

[At Last someone has analysed the situation to a tee
I am surprised some of you arm chair coaches haven't commented on this post by now.
Is it too close to the truth for your liking?
Old Mopsy has been around for a long time and He states it as He sees it.

They've been very accurate articles about us this weekend. These two plus Mark Robinson's one. Hard to disagree with anything written. In a nutshell we have too many players on our list that are mentally soft. Some high profile  .

Don't shh about it MT Bring them out of the closet
I manage a sports program for an Academy of Sport and whilst our coaches can teach their charges the skills and the intricies of their sport they cannot play the game for them. 

[letsgetiton!]

[At Last someone has analysed the situation to a tee
I am surprised some of you arm chair coaches haven't commented on this post by now.
Is it too close to the truth for your liking?
Old Mopsy has been around for a long time and He states it as He sees it.

They've been very accurate articles about us this weekend. These two plus Mark Robinson's one. Hard to disagree with anything written. In a nutshell we have too many players on our list that are mentally soft. Some high profile  .

Don't shh about it MT Bring them out of the closet
I manage a sports program for an Academy of Sport and whilst our coaches can teach their charges the skills and the intricies of their sport they cannot play the game for them. 

agree mopsy, no point shhh about it,  NAME AND SHAME!

[mightytiges]

Sorry can't say as I was told in confidence. I'll just say that Friday night will be a test of character of who really wants to play for us and what type of player we  want pulling on the yellow and black. Otherwise we should say ta-ta to them at the end of the year.

[letsgetiton!]

Sorry can't say as I was told in confidence. I'll just say that Friday night will be a test of character of who really wants to play for us and what type of player we  want pulling on the yellow and black. Otherwise we should say ta-ta to them at the end of the year.

thats well and good mt, but why should we wait til the end of teh yr to say ta ta
why not get rid of them and leave them to finish the yr in coburg and give the kids valuable game time and experience

[jezza]

Whilst the general theme of the articles is correct, I think it's poor journalism to list all the missing Collingwood players and only mention Brown out for us. Coughlan makes a huge difference to our side and Simmonds was playing his first game since January.

[Stephanie]

You have a good point there Jezza, forgot about Cogs lol

But as much as Cogs cops from the supporters, if we had him in the side, would we be 3-0? Are we missing him badly in the midfield?

[letsgetiton!]

Whilst the general theme of the articles is correct, I think it's poor journalism to list all the missing Collingwood players and only mention Brown out for us. Coughlan makes a huge difference to our side and Simmonds was playing his first game since January.

dont start jezza

cogs is overrated and fos, he is just an injury prone version of tuck

cogs lacks skill, pace, brains. all he has is work ethic........wow


cogs is not the answer and the pies fielded 3 1st gamers. pull ur head out jezza

their outs were way bigger than ours

[letsgetiton!]

You have a good point there Jezza, forgot about Cogs lol

But as much as Cogs cops from the supporters, if we had him in the side, would we be 3-0? Are we missing him badly in the midfield?

dont think so

[Harry]

Agree - Cogs is not the answer.  If anything he will make the problem worse.  Doesn't have the required skill and speed to be damaging.  Last thing we need is another "goer"

I'll name names.  The biggest menatlly weak player I have ever seen is Darren Gaspar.  Goes through the motions and just thinks about his next pay check.  Have never seen him encourage his teamates, never seen him get involved in a scuffle - to run to a mates aid, to slap his teamate and say "well done".  Just stands there and watches the ball sail over his head for a goal, and slowly walks to his position, head down, for the next bounce.  Never niggles or tries to get under his opponents skin.  I just can't understand how this guy has managed to get so many games.  Can't stand him.

We have no passion, no leadership, no pride.  We accept losing and believe it's our destiny. Our senior players believe this.  All I want is for them to do something about it.  Show some fight and don't worry about getting supsended.  At least you'll show some pride and let the opponent know that you won't bend over for them that easily.  Also you'll gain some respect from us tiger fans.

[Gordon Bennett]

Show some fight and don't worry about getting supsended.  At least you'll show some pride and let the opponent know that you won't bend over for them that easily.  Also you'll gain some respect from us tiger fans.

"Don't worry about getting suspended"? That's stone age thinking. I won't respect any player that is missing from the side because of stupid and ill-disciplined acts. You show pride by putting your head over the ball and similar acts, not by your example.

I've also seen Gas encourage his team-mates.

You say we have " no pride" - that is rubbish.