Author Topic: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro  (Read 6591 times)

Offline one-eyed

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Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« on: April 13, 2008, 03:19:31 AM »
Time for Tigers of old to return
Caroline Wilson | April 13, 2008

THE popular myth about Richmond during its most recent golden era was that a trapdoor lay in the centre of Graeme Richmond's office and those who fell into the black hole beneath it were never to return.

The sad truth about Tigerland now in its current decrepit state is that good people leave the club disenchanted or otherwise, kick major scores at other clubs and throughout the industry and still never return.

Richmond has no former player on its board, its match committee or its coaching staff. No club in the AFL has been so blatantly shunned by its own. It seems a club almost bereft of culture. Another reminder of that came six days ago when Cameron Schwab announced he would step down as Fremantle's chief executive to return home to be closer to his family. Remarkably, it is 20 years since the then 24-year-old Schwab was appointed CEO of Richmond.

Schwab's father Alan was an architect of that golden era and although Cameron did not succeed in his time as CEO, he leaves Fremantle — $8 million in debt when he joined — with $5 million in the bank, albeit without a premiership.

If the younger Schwab has an enduring passion it is to return to the club — at which he grew up — to rebuild it. He will no doubt watch today's Dockers-Tigers clash with mixed feelings.

Schwab's ambition is not necessarily immediate but perhaps it should be. He is friendly with player manager Daniel Richardson (the son of former Richmond premiership hero-turned-coach-turned-president Barry) who, in turn, is close friends with another successful sports administrator in four-time premiership ruckman Michael Green's son, Christopher.

Imagine if that trio joined forces with, say, Neil Balme and Brendon Gale — who is said to be doing so well as CEO of the players' union that a senior AFL role reportedly beckons — who in turn managed to recruit a trio of former Tigers now well-regarded in assistant coaching ranks such as Wayne Campbell, Chris Bond and Ashley Prescott, to take over the club?

Perhaps Schwab's worst task during his time at Richmond was sacking Kevin Bartlett, the most famous example of a legend at odds with his club. Now Bartlett is a media commentator whose knowledge is so well regarded that he sits on the AFL Hall of Fame, All-Australian and Rising Star selection committees as well as the laws of the game board. Only last year, after 16 years, did he return to attend a club function and even that was one run by the past players.

Brett Ratten pushed and was moderately successful at putting some of the Carlton he knew and loved back into Carlton. If Ratten had his way you get the feeling the entire 1995 premiership team would be back at the club in some form or another.

Not Richmond. Not only has the club failed to lure one former player onto its board since Tony Jewell departed four seasons ago but Terry Wallace's assistant coaches and match committee consist of not one individual with an ounce of Tiger blood. No AFL club bar the Tigers has not one former player at any level.

Prescott resisted overtures to return to Punt Road but jumped at the chance to join Matthew Knights at Essendon, while Bond, whom Richmond has attempted to lure back several times, chose to move to Fremantle. Campbell works at the Western Bulldogs.

The subtle but passionate attempt to lure Kevin Sheedy back to Richmond began this time last year. A group of powerful former Tigers did not want Sheedy as coach but as an executive president. The symbolism, they felt, would have been as powerful as the reality and the reality is that the club appears to have no heart. Only a couple of board members make a genuine contribution. The rest should think seriously about stepping down at the end of the year. President Gary March, at least, genuinely loves the club but is heavily committed and has adopted a "softly softly" approach to fixing Richmond's damaged culture. More is required.

Greg Miller, the North Melbourne shareholder, must step down as a director. Now in his sixth year at the club, the man who largely engineered two North Melbourne premierships must be seen to have officially failed at Tigerland. The club is worse off than when he joined and he did so with the express purpose of leading the club to its 11th premiership.

Just over a year ago Miller sat with Wallace and helped explain why the club could not expect genuine success until 2011. What an indictment on Miller. It is said he spread himself too thinly but no one asked Miller to work outside the club, and devote himself to other worthy but non-Richmond-related causes.

Early draft picks at the end of 2004 have been proven inferior but won the PR battle for the Casey-Miller ticket as did Wallace, the popular choice as coach.

I have less issue with Wallace's performance and believe the club would be crazy to sack him before the end of his five-year term.

Wallace is a good coach, strong on tactics, innovation and salesmanship but not necessarily known for talent in developing young players. The shortcomings should have been dealt with much earlier and Miller should have seen that.

Steven Wright, the Richmond CEO, has done a more than reasonable job when you consider the club's dreadful financial position when he took over. But his only football claim is that he is a passionate Tiger and so he has never interfered with the football operations, when perhaps others would have.

Richmond supporters bled last year as they watched the positive influence Balme had on Geelong and coach Mark Thompson in his debut season at Kardinia Park. For 25 years they cheered but bled as Sheedy became one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game. Perhaps Knights will cause them heartache as well.

Too many Tigers have left the club, disenchanted but carrying an intangible passion for Richmond. Too many have never returned.

The club has lost a generation of barrackers but the true believers remain. Thank heavens for the past players group, and thank heavens for Matthew Richardson. It is time for the good servants of Tigerland — and their offspring — to join forces and return. It is also time for some others to cut their losses and leave.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/time-for-tigers-of-old-to-return/2008/04/12/1207856925933.html?page=fullpage

Offline mightytiges

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2008, 05:50:57 AM »
But Caro it was your "Richmond people" who got the club in the mess it is now in the first place and most of those former players you mention were part of the individualistic and losing culture that has plagued us for the past 25 mediocre years.

To have a go at Steve Wright as only a "passionate Richmond supporter" is a cheap shot. He's done more for his club than any those bozzo 'Richmond true believers' you support Caro and he's trying to fix their 25 year mess they left behind ::)

Hey Caro, why don't you ever include 'daddy' in your history lessons? I mean who was the president who let our 4 time premiership coach walk out never to return in an offical footy dept or admin capacity  ::). Who was the president who allowed 3 club champions and captains to walk out in one summer and now we watch one of their KP sons star for a different club ::). And who was president in 1985 when the club made a loss roughly equal to 50% of its revenue at the time ($1.5m) that would be equivalent now to the club losing $14m in a single year. Over 20 years later and the current CEO is still trying to fix the legacy of that disaster  ::). LOL at the nerve of having a go at Steve Wright  :rollin.

Quote
Too many Tigers have left the club, disenchanted but carrying an intangible passion for Richmond. Too many have never returned.
Most of the those names too left the club well before the current regime came into existence so what's that got to do with now. So much passion for Richmond yet such a bunch of sooks after all these years when the people responsible for their initial spat are long gone. How many times did Sheeds play us for fools to get another contract at Essendon. Sorry Caro but what a load of crap! If they cared they would be back but they really don't. All talk no action - a bit like the club itself over the past quarter of a century.

Quote
The club has lost a generation of barrackers but the true believers remain. Thank heavens for the past players group, and thank heavens for Matthew Richardson. It is time for the good servants of Tigerland — and their offspring — to join forces and return. It is also time for some others to cut their losses and leave.
Thank heavens for the average supporter/member in the outer  :thumbsup who has kept this club alive via their hard earned and their bums on seats despite the egotistical tossers on the inside and around the periphery thinking the club is their personal political plaything to throw into mayhem at any whim.
All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be - Pink Floyd

Little Jackie

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2008, 07:03:03 AM »
I actually agree with Caro.
Seems she has done a bit of ""turn around""
The facts about Sheedy being at the club is this.
before the Wallace appointment, Sheedy was to come to Punt road, except for Miller not informing the board , its common knowledge sheedy doesnt like Miller and vice versa,.
Its also true the ex Richmond people and players wont go anywhere near the club while Miller and Wallace are there.
Dont ask me who as I will not tell you but there are many influential ex players and supporters who will rerturn to Punt road to enure the club is going in  the right direction.
I asked a certain ex player yesterday who voted on the last election ,would he of voted differently if the election was now, he said certainily.
MT, its no secret I am friends with many ex players who have offered to help the current regime but have bascially told to ""pee off"" Whether there help was to be the runner, team manager etc etc.
Tell me something, why is Duncan Kellway for example at Geelong ?
Why have quality people like Chris Naish gone and done different roles at other clubs as  support roles etc.
You tell me ?
Caro is 100% correct.
Terry and Miller have surrounded themselves with YES men to protect there own backsides.
I think that the regular catch ups between Miller , Wallet and Caro could be a thing of the past.
Whats really amazes me how political people in the footy industry are , and how they will drop off people so quick

Offline jezza

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2008, 08:17:20 AM »
Not 100% Jack.

1. She insinuates through the whole article that Steven Wright should be replaced. She says he should be more involved with football operations. I disagree. The whole reason we have a head of football operations is for that reason and it is at that level that we are failing and need change. Wright has done a good job to date and should be supported, not undermined by people like Caro.

2. Her bias comes out way too much. She is blaming all our failures purely on the football administration side of things and yet says the coach must see all 5 years through. Sorry, but the blame lies equally in both areas and it is in both areas we need change and it must happen at the end of this season.

Offline cub

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2008, 08:20:04 AM »
I asked a certain ex player yesterday who voted on the last election ,would he of voted differently if the election was now, he said certainily.


Ahh old man rainsey hey  :thumbsup

Offline jezza

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2008, 08:24:07 AM »
Ha, yeah, was funny seeing Geoff and Andrew standing together. Although someone should tell Andrew not to wear those stupid skinny jeans.

Offline julzqld

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2008, 08:43:00 AM »
I do think they should get the past players back in some capacity at Richmond.  Get the old Tigers blood flowing.

Offline TFL

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2008, 08:55:30 AM »
Ha, yeah, was funny seeing Geoff and Andrew standing together. Although someone should tell Andrew not to wear those stupid skinny jeans.

Did you get a look at his shoes?

It looked like he stole them from a homeless person  :lol

bushranger

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2008, 08:56:31 AM »
I think more players should be given a history lesson on the tigers before they play. Then they will know more about the whole Tiger history and tyhen I think they will play with a little more passion rather than play for money and fame.
But I do still think that it would be a good idea to bring back some of the old players to. We need something and these new players of old are making it look a little of a shame that they used this term.

Offline jezza

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2008, 09:03:54 AM »
Ha, yeah, was funny seeing Geoff and Andrew standing together. Although someone should tell Andrew not to wear those stupid skinny jeans.

Did you get a look at his shoes?

It looked like he stole them from a homeless person  :lol

Yeah, can't even afford shoe laces!

Ramps

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2008, 09:07:10 AM »
I agree with most parts of the article but not all of it. Wright has done a good job, if he can organise the Craigieburn deal to include some gaming then that will be a great legacy for him.

Anyone who misses the 12pm talkback today is a dill.

Little Jackie

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2008, 09:12:36 AM »
I asked a certain ex player yesterday who voted on the last election ,would he of voted differently if the election was now, he said certainily.


Ahh old man rainsey hey  :thumbsup

There were 5 ex players at coburg yesterday., take your pick

Offline {X}

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2008, 09:22:18 AM »
maybe rarro is saying tht wright should show more balls re terry and miller and put them in their place. sure he has done a great job, but he seems a soft nice guy. we want a guy who can get the job done as he has but also be hard and ruthless

carro is spot on, but she seems softer on wallace and pretty much saying miller ef ups at trade drafting and recruiting is the reason why terry isnt coaching successfully.

i say ef them all and lets start again, lets not waste 2 more seasons with these morons, that is miller and wallace. i say keep wright but he has to get tougher

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2008, 09:23:08 AM »
I asked a certain ex player yesterday who voted on the last election ,would he of voted differently if the election was now, he said certainily.


Ahh old man rainsey hey  :thumbsup

There were 5 ex players at coburg yesterday., take your pick

and i bet all cant stand teh current ppl at tigerland

Little Jackie

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Re: Time for Tigers of old to return - Caro
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2008, 09:25:49 AM »
I asked a certain ex player yesterday who voted on the last election ,would he of voted differently if the election was now, he said certainily.


Ahh old man rainsey hey  :thumbsup

There were 5 ex players at coburg yesterday., take your pick

and i bet all cant stand teh current ppl at tigerland

Correct X :thumbsup