Cogs thread [merged]

[Darth Tiger]

ohhhh a fit and '03 Coughlan, would be brilliant!

Coughlan and Cousins sharing Centre duties, while Cotchin has a stint. The three "C's"!

Shane Tuck, Mark Coughlan, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley, Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling, Adam Thomson, Trent Cotchin, Ben Cousins, Dean Polo, Daniel Jackson, Chris Newman, Nathan Brown, Matthew White, Andrew Raines, Shane Edwards - can all play in the midfield!

Hope Cogs can get to decent playing standard again, however the nature of the structural injuries that he has suffered do impact on the ability of the body to translate mental will into performance.

That list above Torch clearly demonstrates why the likes of Meyer, Hyde & Tivva are no longer on the RFC list, however lets hope that some of the non-essential flankers are not at the Tigers in 2010.

[Smokey]

We need good wings, flankers and pocket players

And who would've thought we'd be saying that now after all the bagging about drafting too many flanker types in the past like Fiora  . I prefer we use talented mids we've drafted like Tambo on the wings, flanks and pockets when they aren't being used in the midfield rather than trying to manufacture ballwinning mids out of drafted flankers like we did in the past and failing miserably.

A guy who used to post on Tiger-Talk and Big Footy who I'm sure many will know or know of - Damien Streets (Weaver) posted a theory a number of years ago about midfielders and he used the descriptor "overflowing hamburger".  He said that like a hamburger - you keep adding ingredients, it starts to hang out the sides until it overflows past the edges of the bun and you can't keep it contained within the bun no matter what you try - the key to a successful team was to stack your midfield with as many good mids as you could get, the more the better, as no opposition could counter a team full of good mids.  He acknowledged the importance of key position players but said the overriding factor was the quality and quantity of mids.  He quoted all of the recent successful teams (he posted this years ago but his theory has held true since) and each one had a midfield that met this criteria.  This is what we are building now and I'm sure it is why the club concentrated more heavily on drafting mids in the early TW/GM years before 'filling in the blanks' over the last couple of years.  I (and many others) have a lot of respect for Damien's opinions and views (he is a very astute judge of draft candidates), and he has since been employed in the footy department of a rival club (hence his disappearance from the forums) so it points to the value some in the industry place on his opinion and knowledge.  I think we will continue to see our hamburger overflow this year and the results will speak for themselves.

[Judge Roughneck]

ohhhh a fit and '03 Coughlan, would be brilliant!

Coughlan and Cousins sharing Centre duties, while Cotchin has a stint. The three "C's"!

Shane Tuck, Mark Coughlan, Kane Johnson, Nathan Foley, Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling, Adam Thomson, Trent Cotchin, Ben Cousins, Dean Polo, Daniel Jackson, Chris Newman, Nathan Brown, Matthew White, Andrew Raines, Shane Edwards - can all play in the midfield!

Hope Cogs can get to decent playing standard again, however the nature of the structural injuries that he has suffered do impact on the ability of the body to translate mental will into performance.

If Cogs gets 90% back to his best

Cogs 2009 > Tuck 2009

[Infamy]

We need good wings, flankers and pocket players

And who would've thought we'd be saying that now after all the bagging about drafting too many flanker types in the past like Fiora  . I prefer we use talented mids we've drafted like Tambo on the wings, flanks and pockets when they aren't being used in the midfield rather than trying to manufacture ballwinning mids out of drafted flankers like we did in the past and failing miserably.

A guy who used to post on Tiger-Talk and Big Footy who I'm sure many will know or know of - Damien Streets (Weaver) posted a theory a number of years ago about midfielders and he used the descriptor "overflowing hamburger".  He said that like a hamburger - you keep adding ingredients, it starts to hang out the sides until it overflows past the edges of the bun and you can't keep it contained within the bun no matter what you try - the key to a successful team was to stack your midfield with as many good mids as you could get, the more the better, as no opposition could counter a team full of good mids.  He acknowledged the importance of key position players but said the overriding factor was the quality and quantity of mids.  He quoted all of the recent successful teams (he posted this years ago but his theory has held true since) and each one had a midfield that met this criteria.  This is what we are building now and I'm sure it is why the club concentrated more heavily on drafting mids in the early TW/GM years before 'filling in the blanks' over the last couple of years.  I (and many others) have a lot of respect for Damien's opinions and views (he is a very astute judge of draft candidates), and he has since been employed in the footy department of a rival club (hence his disappearance from the forums) so it points to the value some in the industry place on his opinion and knowledge.  I think we will continue to see our hamburger overflow this year and the results will speak for themselves.

I always have had time for Weaver's opinions, he knows what he's talking about, shame his knowledge is going to another club.
He's right this time as usual, you need an over abundance of midfielders who if they can't make it in the guts at AFL level, will still make a good flanker or back flanker/pocket. You don't want to pick specialist back pockets or forward flankers like we have in the past and found that they can't even make that position at AFL level cause they sure as hell won't make good midfielders. Obviously you need some class in your outside midfielders, they need to have pace and skill, but if they were elite junior midfielders, then they should always be able to play somewhere at AFL level.

A good midfield instantly makes your defenders and your forwards look much better than they really are. Just have a look at Quinten Lynch.

[Judge Roughneck]

weaver reckons joel selwood = pettifer

hmm.

[one-eyed]

From the Age...

Richmond's 2003 best and fairest, 26-year-old Mark Coughlan, who injuries have prevented from playing a home and away game since mid-2006, is a good chance to line up.

"He's going fantastic, he's actually surprised us how well he's going and he's certainly in contention for NAB (Cup round) one," Royal said on Wednesday.

Coughlan had back-to-back knee reconstructions in the 2006 season and 2007 pre-season, then had his comeback attempt last year thwarted by repeated hamstring injuries.

But after making it through several VFL games late in 2008, he has not missed a beat in the current pre-season.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/cousins-comeback-unlikely-to-be-at-subi/2009/01/14/1231608769393.html

Brett Deledio was another rapt with his fellow midfielder’s progress.

“If you watch him closely at training, I don’t think he’s missed a beat right through the pre-season,” the 21-year-old said.

“He’s done all the running, he seems as agile as ever, and what can I say? He’s going really well.”

http://afl.com.au/AFL2008/News/Article/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=71275

[one-eyed]

Coughlan ready for return to the big time
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen
Tue 20 January, 2009

MARK Coughlan is ready to put years of frustration behind him and hopes to start turning things around in Richmond's first NAB Cup game in a few weeks.

The 2003 best-and-fairest winner has had a wretched few years, with two knee reconstructions leading to chronic hamstring issues, injuries that have kept him sidelined since round 12, 2006.

But successful treatment in Germany last season saw him return to the track with Coburg for the last few games of the year, and that has flowed through into the pre-season.

After training at a hot Punt Rd on Tuesday, he declared he was ready to re-enter the big time.

"It's pretty exciting – I've done most of the pre-season, and I'm just trying to get through the rest of January now and put my hand up for that first game against Fremantle over there," he said.

"I'm feeling pretty good in the body - this year's just been a bonus, being able to do a pre-season and the group's looking pretty good for the year, so I'm pretty excited about maybe being a part of that."

The 26-year-old admitted he was a touch nervous as he looked to play his first game at a senior level for a long time.

"I guess it's a bit of an unknown for me – the game has changed a fair bit in three years, and I haven't played since 2006.

"For me it's really exciting, just being able to get out there and see how we're going to go about it.

"There are a lot of young guys at the club – Brett Deledio – that I haven't played a lot of games with, so I'm just excited about maybe getting out with them."

Coughlan said he was confident that his time out of the game hadn't diminished his ability to play.

"I want to play but it's a bit of an unknown for me – I've certainly got the confidence that I can still mix it at AFL level, but it's just about, when I get the opportunity, making the most of it.

"I've got the fitness, now it's just about taking it into games.

"There are four or five games, including intra-clubs that you can play in, and you need that two or three games, at least, running into a season."

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsId=71371

[one-eyed]

Cursed Tiger Mark Coughlan starts afresh
Rebecca Williams | January 21, 2009 12:00am

RICHMOND midfielder Mark Coughlan admits he is nervous about making his AFL comeback after more than two years in the wilderness.

The 2003 Tigers best-and-fairest is aiming for a return in next month's NAB Cup opener against Fremantle at Subiaco, more than 30 months since his last AFL match in Round 12, 2006.

"I guess it's a bit of an unknown for me," Coughlan said at Punt Rd yesterday.

"I mean the game has changed a fair bit in three years and I haven't played since 2006. It's really exciting actually just being able to get out there and see how we are going to go about it.

"There is a lot of young guys at the club, like Brett Deledio, that I haven't played many games with.

"I'm just excited about getting out with them."

Related LinksSuperFooty Forum: Who is the unluckiest player?
Coughlan has endured a horror injury run.

The 26-year-old had back-to-back knee reconstructions in 2006 and in the 2007 pre-season before repeated hamstring injuries ruined his comeback hopes last year.

The Tigers sent Coughlan to Germany for intensive treatment on his hamstring mid-way through last season and he was eventually able to play the last eight games of the season for Coburg in the VFL.

Coughlan said he had not missed a beat on the track this pre-season.

"It's pretty exciting. I've done most of the pre-season. I'm just trying to get through the rest of January now and hopefully put my hand up against Fremantle over there," Coughlan said.

"I am feeling pretty good in the body. This year has just been a bonus to be able to do a pre-season and the group is looking pretty good for the year, so I am pretty excited about maybe being part of that."

Coughlan admitted there were times last season that he doubted if he would be back.

"I wouldn't lie, I probably would say that," he said.

"It was my third year out of the game and I just wasn't getting out on the track really, let alone playing."

While he is confident he is well prepared for a return, Coughlan said he was keeping his expectations for 2009 low.

"The expectations are: there are no expectations," Coughlan said.

Coughlan said he was enjoying training alongside fellow West Australian Ben Cousins.

"It's been good just having him out on the track. He doesn't miss too many kicks. He's a bit of a Rolls-Royce out there," Coughlan said.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24940703-19742,00.html

[wayne]

They fail to mention that he also had the groin problems for most of 2004.

[Stripes]

I don't think anyone has doubted Cogs work in, under and around packs/stoppages but I have had concerns about his run and carry. Last year I saw signs he may have dropped off the pace a bit and got lost once the ball was moving. I worry about him being exploited but his opponent when they spread away but by the sounds of it he has regained much of his speed so my concerns may soon be a thing of the past.

I hope Cogs becomes a part of our midfield strength but I would like to see he matching up against our other mids particularly Tuck, Foley, Lids and our new in and under recruit Thomson, before I make up my mind.

Stripes

[wayne]

I'll happily let Cogs take Johnsons spot.

[one-eyed]

What else we've miss with him out injured for so long - Cogs not being afraid to throw his body around....

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=rbNyfl33GEU&feature=related

[one-eyed]

Coughlan on the comeback trail
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen
7:44 PM Tue 07 April, 2009

MARK Coughlan is once again on the comeback trail after a stellar performance for Coburg on the weekend.

Coughlan, who has had two knee reconstructions and been to Germany for hamstring treatment, was playing his first game since he again injured his knee before the NAB Cup.

The 26-year-old was set to play in Richmond’s NAB Cup match against Fremantle but the cartilage injury and subsequent surgery put him back several weeks.

Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said the weekend’s run was terrific.

“His first game was on Sunday, the last practice game for Coburg before VFL round one starts this weekend,” Monaghan told richmondfc.com.au on Tuesday.

“They played against Casey Scorpions out at Casey Fields and it was a really big step forward for him because he hasn’t played for awhile.

“He had plenty of touches, laid 10 tackles and the best thing about it was he recovered really well, so it was really pleasing, not only from a playing point-of-view but also because his body got through it just fine.”

Not surprisingly, Monaghan said the 2003 best-and-fairest winner was more than happy with his weekend’s work.

“He’s really buoyant about the fact that he’s out there – he’s just happy to finally get out there and have a game.

“His summer training was fantastic and he was all set to play but he’s just had one setback after another, so to get out there and play a full game like he did on the weekend and have a practice match before round one of the VFL is a great step ahead for him.”

Several other Tigers were good on the day in both the firsts and the seconds, including two who are yet to play for Richmond.

“Adam Thomson had a really good game – Thommo’s just been held up a little bit with a sternum issue in the last week or so, but he was in terrific form on the weekend.

“And Jayden Post was good after half time – he spent the first half in the backline and the second half on the wing and was in some good form.

“We’re just really pleased with what he showed on the weekend – we’ve got a lot of time for him and we were pleased with what he did.”

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/74578/default.aspx

[taztiger4]

I find it a bit odd that Ross thinks it was his first game back ,could have sworn it was cogs playing 3/4ers @ Princes Park on the previous saturday !!!

[one-eyed]

Tough Tiger Mark Coughlan back from wilderness
Jon Ralph | April 08, 2009

MARK Coughlan, has roared back into contention for a senior call-up after a 41-possession, 10-tackle display for Coburg.

The forgotten Richmond midfield star dominated Sunday's VFL practice match against the Casey Scorpions, which showcased the successful return of Melbourne forward Russell Robertson.

The Tigers' 2003 best-and-fairest winner, who turns 27 this month, needs more VFL footy, but has put himself in the frame for senior action.

Coughlan has not played seniors since 2006. He had his second knee reconstruction early in 2007 and then a hamstring injury that required complex treatment in Germany.

After a strong pre-season, he required arthroscopic surgery on his reconstructed knee in February, but is now back up and running.

At his best, Coughlan is a ball-winning, tackling machine, just the type coach Terry Wallace needs.

In the same VFL practice match, ruckman Adam Pattison returned after ankle problems, while defender Jordan McMahon failed to fire.

The Tigers are unlikely to make many changes to the team that did well against Geelong on Saturday when they play the Western Bulldogs on Monday. Onballer Richard Tambling will test his injured hamstring this week and could return.

Coughlan's form has been a mood-lifter at Punt Rd this week.

"It's a good story," Tigers football manager Ross Monaghan said. "It is early days but we were pleased with the way he went.

"For his first game back, it was really encouraging. He got quite a bit of the ball and the significant thing was he laid 10 tackles. It's a terrific return for him."

Monaghan said the Tigers were eager to assess Coughlan's form when the VFL season started with with Coburg taking on Frankston on Sunday.

"He would certainly have to play some VFL footy, but he pulled up good as gold, and couldn't be feeling better," Monaghan said.

"He has been in the situation before where things have gone well and then he has had a setback.

"We will keep our fingers crossed that things keep going the way they have the last few weeks."

Robertson, making his comeback from an achilles tear, played just over a half for the Scorpions.

He kicked an early goal and set up another, and his trademark leap was still apparent with the 30-year-old taking a pair of spectacular marks.

Like Coughlan, he is likely to need several VFL games before he is considered for an AFL call-up.

While Coughlan will have to break into a strong Richmond midfield, the Demons are crying out for a lead-up presence such as Robertson's.

Unlike Robertson, long-kicking Demons defender Paul Wheatley is set for a long stint on the sidelines.

Wheatley has battled soft-tissue injuries and, after tearing a quad, is six weeks away from a return.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25305815-19742,00.html