Tiger cubs learning fast
26 April 2007 Herald-Sun
Geoff Poulter
RICHMOND is going through hard times, but the Tigers' VFL affiliate Coburg continues to throw up selection options among its lively youngsters.
Yesterday it was Dean Polo's turn to impress in Coburg's 73-point win, 20.9 (129) to 7.14 (56), against the Box Hill Hawks at Box Hill City Oval in the first of the Round 4 fixtures.
Polo was prominent in defence and won the Gibbs-Lines Medal for best-on-ground.
Danny Meyer (four goals), Jack Riewoldt (three goals) and Matt White all look capable of coping with promotion to AFL level, while Kelvin Moore and Cameron Howat also stood out yesterday.
Polo played for the Tigers on Friday night against the Western Bulldogs and was dropped to try to gain some hard match conditioning.
"I think Deano just wanted a really good four-quarter game," Coburg coach Andrew Collins said.
"He's been on and off the bench and I think (Richmond coach) Terry (Wallace) just wanted to get some miles into his legs and he was very classy today."
Riewoldt, who resembles Mark Harvey and plays with Dermott Brereton-like flair, is gradually picking up the tempo. He doesn't turn 19 until October 31.
"He is going to be a terrific player for the Richmond Football Club in years to come," Collins said.
"He has got real class and flamboyance about him that every key forward needs."
Coburg has won three straight to charge to top place, perhaps temporarily with five Round 4 games left.
"We wouldn't have anticipated that with such a young group, but our young guys are coming along a lot quicker," Collins said.'
"And you know that article about Richmond youth and Hawthorn youth, well it was on display today, wasn't it?
"These are guys that Terry is looking at to step up and they are developing really nicely as footballers at the moment."
Coburg's defence was sound and the Tigers looked a well-drilled unit.
"We've recruited very well," Collins said, referring to the likes of Fortunato Caruso (Calder Cannons), Myles Sewell (North Ballarat), Logan Hill (Dandenong Stingrays) and Ryan Anderson (Northern Knights), who were all good contributors yesterday.
In contrast, there was not much to enthuse about Box Hill's performance. Beau Dowler can be a threat in the air and Zac Dawson was willing.
With a bye in the next round, Coburg doesn't play again for 18 days. "We might do some soccer and some rugby, have a lot of fun and support our reserves playing some good footy over the next couple of weeks," Collins said.
"It was always going to be a test of wills and I was really pleased with our performance."
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