We were never a chance: Wallace
9:37 PM Sun 8 July, 2007
By Luke Holmesby,
richmondfc.com.au
RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace says poor skill and a lack of effort meant his side never looked a chance against the Kangaroos on Sunday.
Wallace said fundamental errors and misuse of the ball in the backline were reasons for the 25-point loss.
“We had too many down on the night and made too many mistakes,” Wallace said.
“There were some really uncharacteristic acts early in the game and I didn’t think our guys were hard enough or tight enough.
“I didn’t think our mental edge was anywhere near what it had been over the past five or six weeks.”
Wallace said the side had failed to build on the momentum it had gained.
“We thought over the past month we’ve made some real ground, played some competitive and quite good football,” he said.
“We didn’t continue that on in the same vein this evening and I think in the end the scoreboard flattered us a little.”
A bad night for the Tigers was further compounded by news that Brett Deledio had broken his hand and would miss at least a month of football.
But as one door shuts another opens, with several Tiger cubs establishing themselves in the side.
“We had some young boys that worked hard and showed that they want to play at that level. Shane Edwards continues to improve and Jake King’s efforts were terrific,” he said.
Wallace reserved special praise for hard-nut King who has become an integral part of the Richmond defence in his first year in the AFL.
“That’s why he ended up with bandages all over his head because he was prepared to put his body on the line for the team,” Wallace said.
Tiger midfielder Nathan Foley has been the club’s best player this season and was tagged heavily by the close-checking Brady Rawlings in what Wallace said was an even duel.
“You have a look at in tagging terms I think Rawlings is one of the best going around in the competition,” he said.
“Certainly he was restricted in winning as much of the ball as he has but I still thought he was honest and played a reasonable game.”
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