Forward Scout: Richmond v West Coast
David King
richmondfc.com.au
Friday, April 27, 2007
OUR BACKSThe most important job for us to do across our half-back line is to deny the quality of West Coast’s entries into the forward 50. We are also hoping to create a bit more run and excitement off half-back, which is something we have been lacking so far this season.
THEIR FORWARDSQuinten Lynch has had a fantastic start to the year and was their leading inside-50 player prior to last week. There is no doubt David Wirrpanda is dangerous. He only needs a handful of touches to turn games. Andrew Embley is starting to get back some fitness so he will pose his fair share of problems.
MIDFIELD BATTLEThere’s no doubt the talent of Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, Michael Braun and Tyson Stenglein will be the main area of concern for us, as it is for most clubs that play West Coast.
THE RUCK DUELThere are no secrets to playing Dean Cox and Mark Seaby. You just have to be able to compete with them at every opportunity, attack whenever possible, defend like there’s no tomorrow and give them credit and respect as they deserve. In saying that, you have to be true to yourself and give yourself a chance to win and I’m sure our ruckmen will do that.
OUR FORWARDSStatistically, when it comes to not allowing you to mark the ball, our guys are coming up against the best defence in the league. West Coast also have a good mix of quality one-on-one defenders versus players who can run and carry the football
THEIR BACKSBrent Staker, being able to roll back and do a job on the third tall forward, has been a positive for them. I think Darren Glass is a fantastic defender and there is no doubt they are all very difficult to defeat one on one.
OPPONENT TO LOOK OUT FORShannon Hurn was terrific against Matthew Lappin last week. His ability to kick that long goal and his toughness at the football and at the contest was terrific for a younger player.
LESSONS FROM LAST WEEKWe are always learning. We are learning about our list, learning about the capabilities of our players and where we are at. A lot of players still have a lot of improvement left and also there are players who aren’t performing to the best of their ability. It’s something those players need to address, otherwise the game will go past them.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS“West Coast are the benchmark at the moment. When you’re in this competition you’ve got to challenge yourself, whether it be our young boys who want to see how they’ll go against the very best in the competition, or the senior players. That’s what we’re all aspiring to be, where they are at the minute. I don’t think we should shy away from those sorts of things.”
WHAT THE CAPTAIN SAYS“Obviously we haven’t got the results at this stage but I think we’ve got five or six really good midfielders that can go in there and match up with theirs. We are going to take them on and not play too negatively and try and win the game. Playing with zero wins out of four is enough to get me and the boys up and motivated for the game.”
A FEW STATSRichmond v West Coast: 2006
Round three: Eagles by 46 points (S) (N)
Round 22: Eagles by 88 points (MCG)
Richmond win percentageAgainst Eagles: 37.93 per cent
@ MCG: 55.23 per cent
MATCH NOTE: A win by the Tigers this weekend would snap a five-match losing streak against the Eagles.
http://richmondfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsId=42141
