Terry's to-do list
12:21:38 PM Wed 11 August, 2004
Paul Gough
Sportal/exclusive to afl.com.au
It might have been a tough decision for Terry Wallace in deciding between Richmond and Hawthorn as to which team he wanted to coach in 2005 but that is nothing compared to the work that now lies ahead of him in re-building the Tigers.
The fact Wallace was given a five year contract by the Tigers on Tuesday says a lot not about Wallace's credentials as an AFL coach but also about the size of the task confronting the former Bulldogs coach in reviving the fortunes of a club that have made the finals just twice in 22 years.
While the appointment of Wallace is bound to go down well with the "Tiger Army" and generate a rush of new members next year, even the most optimistic Richmond supporters know there is much to be done before the Tigers reclaim the mantle of one of the leading clubs in the competition.
Here is a list of what is likely to be Wallace's top priorities as he begins analyzing Richmond's list and begin preparing for arguably the most important trading period ever in Richmond's history.
1. More goalkicking options
Matthew Richardson may well have kicked 56 goals this season from only 14 full appearances - an impressive average of four goals a week - but the Tigers still sit last on the ladder with just four wins and 11 successive defeats and an average score of just 77 points per match.
This is because they have few goalkicking options besides Richardson, as evidenced by the fact they have only kicked 100 points once this season and that was against the Bulldogs in round eight when Richardson kicked a career-best 10 goals.
The leading sides have at least eight players all capable of kicking 25 goals plus for the season, rather than relying on the one player to kick the bulk of the goals, but apart from Nathan Brown (24 goals), Andrew Krakouer (17) and Brad Ottens (16), few other Richmond players have contributed where it most counts - on the scoreboard.
1. No more short-term fixes
One of the most encouraging statements Wallace made when he was unveiled as the Tigers' new coach on Tuesday was the need for a club to develop its own players.
Wallace said supporters wanted to see players play their first and 250th games at the one club and this will be music to the ears of Tigers fans, who for too long have seen their club waste draft selections on or trade for players from rival clubs.
No fewer than 13 players on the Richmond list of 2004 began their careers at rivals clubs and while a handful of these such as Nathan Brown, Kane Johnson, Darren Gaspar and Greg Stafford will be key men in the Tigers' future under Wallace - the bulk will not - and should be moved on as quickly as possible to make way for more youngsters.
The Tigers have often been criticised for their drafting over the years but when they have drafted youngsters in recent times they have tended to succeed with Mark Coughlan, Chris Newman, Chris Hyde, David Rodan, Andrew Krakouer and this year's newcomers Daniel Jackson, Brent Hartigan, Kelvin Moore and Tom Roach all showing they have long-term futures at Punt Road.
3. Re-build the defence
This could well be one of the biggest tasks confronting Wallace because not only have the Tigers' key defenders being unable to stop the gun forwards from opposition clubs this season but they also provide little drive out of defence.
The Tigers' ability to set up attacking move out of the backline has only improved in recent weeks since the shift of Joel Bowden to defence but even the favourite for this year's Jack Dyer Medal is too short - at 188cm - to be playing in the key position of centre-half-back.
It has been the same at full-back with Darren Gaspar, Ray Hall, Ty Zantuck and Andrew Kellaway all having been tried there at different stages of the season with all regularly giving up height and weight to opposition forwards.
While Gaspar will no doubt be better next season, after struggling this year in his first season back from a knee re-construction, he will be 29 next season and can hardly be expected to be the club's number one defender for much longer.
Kellaway will also be 29 next season while Zantuck often looks better in attack where he can help solve the club's goalkicking woes.
Jackson appeals as long-term option but will need time to physically develop but Wallace will not only need players capable of stopping opposition players from kicking bagfuls of goals but someone, other than Bowden, to set up attacks coming out of defence.
4. Improve the skill level
When Wallace took over the Bulldogs midway through 1996, they were an unskilled team struggling down the bottom of the ladder with seemingly not much to look forward to.
But after an intensive pre-season of non-stop ball-work, the team was transformed in Wallace's first full season in 1997 and looked a completely different side.
Almost overnight the Bulldogs became a highly-skilled team and probably should have made the grand final that year.
The Tigers will be desperately hoping Wallace can do likewise with their club in 2005 because Richmond has far too many players who let themselves down with poor kicking and a constant failure to hit targets.
This has continued to cost the Tigers games in recent weeks when there has been nothing wrong with their application, but simply a lack of skill has been unable to convert effort into victories.
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