Plenty of problems for Wallace to ponder
23 August 2004 Herald Sun
Comment by Mike Sheahan
WHEN Terry Wallace confirmed his choice between Richmond and Hawthorn, he acknowledged the Hawks were more likely to provide instant gratification.
It was the popular opinion. It was accurate, too.
Even allowing for the difficult conditions at the MCG yesterday, Richmond requires major surgery.
Up to 10 of the 22 players who wore the yellow and black yesterday carry a major query.
A couple – Darren Gaspar and Andrew Kellaway – have run out of time; five or six – Justin Blumfield, the gallant Tim Fleming, Ray Hall, Ben Marsh, Bill Nicholls and Luke Weller – don't seem capable of helping the team move forward; and two others – Ty Zantuck and Nathan Brown – aren't as diligent as they might like to think.
Brown is marked hard. He might win the best-and-fairest, yet he is such a gifted player, he should be in Brownlow Medal contention.
Hawthorn went into the game in 16th place, with three wins from 20 rounds. With Shane Crawford and Nathan Thompson in the stand.
The Hawks emerged with a 23-point win, another boost to their pride and, most important, 15th place.
Richmond now has to beat Sydney at the MCG next Saturday to give itself a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon for the third time in 18 seasons.
It won't beat the Swans, yet it won't matter either. The Tigers already are assured of two prime selections in the national draft. Currently, they are Nos. 1 and 4.
Wallace has a huge job on his hands. Five years is a long time, but this is a task equivalent to the rebuilding of the MCG. Kane Johnson and Brad Ottens, the equivalent of Crawford and Thompson, were missing yesterday, yet there's little else that wasn't on display.
Richo booted 4.2 from 11 kicks, with five marks and three clangers. He remains the only Richmond player capable of provoking a scare in the opposition coach's box.
The plusses were the return of Mark Coughlan, another composed performance from Brent Hartigan, 30 possessions again from Joel Bowden, and more experience for Daniel Jackson and Jay Schulz.
The one certainty about Wallace is he will change the attitude and style of play. The Tigers will be more aggressive and direct. They had 303 possessions yesterday for 13 goals.
They aren't good enough to play the possession game, yet only Sydney has had fewer "long" kicks this year.
A word on Hawthorn. Two wins from the past three games, with a competitive performance against the Brisbane Lions in between, is encouraging.
It reflects well on aspiring coach Donald McDonald and its outstanding performer of the season, Peter Everitt, who has grown into a leader.
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