Injuries make a dill out of Daniher
COMMENT
Patrick Smith
The Australian
April 24, 2007
AND then there were two. Melbourne and Richmond remain winless after four rounds. Look at the draw and they might be in that very position after 11 rounds. Round 12 should bring relief for one because they play each other.
Nothing is guaranteed, though. When last season's duffers Essendon and Carlton met in round 16, they drew, 105 points each. Combined, they won six games outright for the year. Essendon lost Matthew Lloyd for the season in round three and never recovered. Carlton played so poorly the board made a clumsy attempt to remove coach Denis Pagan at the end of the year.
Already, last year's no-hopers have won a total of five matches this year. There is hope, though the Blues will take some nurturing after nearly dissolving in the rain at Subiaco against West Coast. But then West Coast, unbeaten and defending premier, doesn't need rain to make you disappear.
This will be a torrid season for Melbourne coach Neale Daniher and Richmond's Terry Wallace.
Daniher has simply run out of players as injuries have hit in defence, midfield and in attack. Wallace is grooming his list but he had hoped to be more competitive this year than winless after four rounds of the season.
Against the Bulldogs, Richmond played football like a man with the yips plays golf. The players looked bewildered and nervous, fearing the consequences of their every action. They had nearly 60 more possessions and scored 32 fewer points.
Wallace is better placed than Daniher. He is in the middle of a long contract, Daniher in his final year. Wallace had briefed the media before the season on how he thought the future at Richmond might unfold. He said the Tigers' list would challenge for the eight this year, give the flag a shake in the near future but be at its very best from 2011. It was a measured look at how his group of players - and anticipated draft picks - would mature to have the right mix of youth and experience in five years' time.
Factored into that list was a fit Nathan Brown and Troy Simmonds. Brown has a hot spot in his leg and Simmonds hobbled back into the team on a wonky ankle. Their injuries have upset the balance of the team. Graham Polak, brought to the club to play centre half-back, has played just about everywhere but there. He has mostly rucked and, against the Bulldogs on Friday, booted three goals as the Tigers made a brave but futile rally.
Matthew Richardson is one of the great players of his era, charging about the forward line, marking grandly, kicking badly. He desperately needs support. When the ball hits the ground on the forward line, the Tigers show little ability to compete. A small forward who can apply pressure like Alwyn Davey does with Essendon is essential.
Worth consideration is this: how many Richmond players would others clubs fight to get? Brett Deledio and Andrew Raines are two. As good as Richo is, he is 32 and not an investment in the future.
Kevin Sheedy had the luxury of giving last season over to developing his young players. The club backed his position and now watches Jason Laycock, Jason Winderlich and Patrick Ryder blossom. Essendon sits second on the ladder and the supporters chortle their excitement.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21609389-12270,00.html
