We won't go back for seconds
Jon Ralph | May 13, 2008 12:00am
RICHMOND'S VFL stars face more time at Coburg, with the Tigers intent on keeping a settled side for Saturday's clash against Geelong. The Tigers have only Andrew Raines missing from their best 22, which is putting enormous selection pressure on the senior side.
Joel Bowden, Graham Polak, Kayne Pettifer, Greg Tivendale and young draftee Trent Cotchin all pushed for selection playing with Coburg on Saturday.
But with the Tigers taking on reigning premier Geelong after a month of solid football, they may have to do more to win back their places.
Cotchin, who was drafted at No. 2 behind Matthew Kreuzer last year, would have been into the side at any other time in Wallace's reign.
But despite exciting Tigers insiders with his progress in four games since recovering from achilles soreness, he may be a fortnight away.
Cotchin is still building fitness after missing the entire pre-season, but has shown enough to warrant the lofty predictions made of him.
New-look forward Bowden is no certainty to return this week, despite a month of solid football in the VFL.
The Tigers are aware they must make a breakthrough in coming weeks after a last-gasp draw with the Bulldogs and honourable losses to St Kilda and Hawthorn.
Mark Coughlan has pulled up well from the Coburg game after finally recovering from hamstring soreness associated with his twin knee reconstructions.
Football director Greg Miller said yesterday the match committee would scrutinise the VFL performances in coming days.
"We had a few guys play well against Collingwood in the VFL. As to where that puts us in relation to selection, I think our side has been pretty settled the last four weeks," he said
"I wouldn't expect too many changes."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23688609-19742,00.html
