We're still focused on finals, say Tigers (RFC)

[one-eyed]

We're still focused on finals, say Tigers
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen
Thu 03 July, 2008

AS LONG as the maths agrees, Richmond is still chasing September action.

The Tigers head to the break having won two of their last three matches, and face a run home that pits them against four sides above them on the ladder and four sides below.

An appointment with West Coast at Subiaco Oval in round 15 shapes as crucial, with home games against Essendon and the Brisbane Lions to follow.

Assistant coach Brian Royal said the team had to focus on finals while the numbers said they still could.

"It's really important that we focus on trying to get a spot in the eight, that's probably our focus over the next three or four weeks," he told richmondfc.com.au.

"We've won two of our last three games, so there's still an opportunity. Obviously, we've got to have everything going right for us for that to happen, but that's certainly a major focus.

"Obviously after two or three weeks, we have to reassess based on results."

Royal said that the club saw enormous benefits for the players in making the finals.

"We believe if we can finish in the lower part of the eight, it gives us an enormous platform – and obviously gives the guys experience – going into next year."

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsid=62596

[Ramps]

 

[jackstar]

 

[rogerd3]

lot of air going into the those tyres. 

[yellowandback]

 :

snap.

[Darth Tiger]

What the .... ????

C'mon Chocko, get real.  Focus on squad development rather than Tony Greenberg like spin.

Geez, Chocko must be getting nervous about his assistants gig or is he spruiking for a VFL job.

[mightytiges]

You'll notice Chocco only mentioned the next 3-4 weeks - bye, Eagles, Bombers, Lions (in Melb). Left out the fact Geelong, Adelaide at AAMI and Hawthorn follow who will end any finals chance for good even if we were to win the next 3 games.

[one-eyed]

The run home: Richmond
afl.com.au
By Mic Cullen
Sat 05 July, 2008

Current ladder position: 11th (five wins, one draw, eight losses)

Form: LLWWL

The run home:
West Coast (15th) at Subiaco Oval
Essendon (12th) at the MCG
Brisbane Lions (6th) at Telstra Dome
Geelong (1st) at Telstra Dome
Adelaide (5th) at AAMI Stadium
Hawthorn (3rd) at the MCG
Fremantle (14th) at the MCG
Melbourne (16th) at the MCG

Where to from here?
In hindsight, it would have been really nice to have beaten the Bulldogs, rather than drawn, but at least two points were salvaged. If the Tigers can win enough games from here, those points could be vital. The round 14 loss to Carlton has probably cruelled Richmond's final eight chances, but with four clear chances of victory remaining, sneaking another win or two could see a shot at September.

Crunch games:
Round 15: West Coast (a)
Round 16: Essendon (h)
Round 17: Brisbane Lions (h)

If the Tigers want to play in September, they need to win these three to stay in the hunt. It's as simple as that.

Injury list:
Matthew Richardson (hamstring) test
Will Thursfield (hamstring) test
Luke McGuane (hamstring) test
Mark Coughlan (hamstring) indefinite
Graham Polak (acquired brain injury) indefinite

Who's gonna save us?
Trent Cotchin. The shining light on the Tiger horizon is No. 9 and he has been stellar in his first few games. An early draft pick that the Tigers got very right. Along with Brett Deledio he will serve the yellow-and-black well for a good few years.

What the club says:
"It's really important that we focus on trying to get a spot in the eight, that's probably our focus over the next three or four weeks.

"We've won two of our last three games, so there's still an opportunity.

"Obviously, we've got to have everything going right for us for that to happen, but that's certainly a major focus." – assistant coach Brian Royal

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=62748

[tiga]

Going on previous seasons since 2000, the average to make the eight is 12 wins. A couple of years you needed 13 so even taking the draw into account we realistically
need to win at least 7 of our last 8 to be guaranteed a spot. 6 wins would see us borderline with the draw probably getting us over the line. 5 wins, forget it. We would be no chance.
Really shows how important that loss to Carlton really was. If we had won, we probably only needed to win 5 of our last 8 to scrape in. 

[mightytiges]

Going on previous seasons since 2000, the average to make the eight is 12 wins. A couple of years you needed 13 so even taking the draw into account we realistically
need to win at least 7 of our last 8 to be guaranteed a spot. 6 wins would see us borderline with the draw probably getting us over the line. 5 wins, forget it. We would be no chance.
Really shows how important that loss to Carlton really was. If we had won, we probably only needed to win 5 of our last 8 to scrape in. 

Plus also the loss to the Saints and draw against the Dogs. If we had won all 3 we'd be a game inside the Eight right now. Just not good and consistent enough.

[mightytiges]

With the Saints winning last night it just shows even more how costly our loss to them was. Another 8-point game in hindsight and on par with the Carlton loss. The Saints should be able now to win 4 of their last 7 games with their draw to sow up 8th spot.

[Hellenic Tiger]

Even if we win our "Easier Games" we will still fall well short of of Hawthorn Geelong and Adelaide in our run home. Will leave us with 10.5 wins and we will fall well short. Look ahead to next year ppl rather than cramming b/s down our throats such as pipedreams. All this will do is inflate people at the clubs estimation of us in that we are close to the mark when really against top 8 sides we are poorly inept and we get horribly exposed. We are still a long way away from being a bona fide consistent top 4-6 side. Plan for 2009 fellas.

[peggles]

Even if we win our "Easier Games" we will still fall well short of of Hawthorn Geelong and Adelaide in our run home. Will leave us with 10.5 wins and we will fall well short. Look ahead to next year ppl rather than cramming b/s down our throats such as pipedreams. All this will do is inflate people at the clubs estimation of us in that we are close to the mark when really against top 8 sides we are poorly inept and we get horribly exposed. We are still a long way away from being a bona fide consistent top 4-6 side. Plan for 2009 fellas.

thank you...well said.....i agree with u there...no point in winning these meaningless games...achieves nothing....let the kids play...even in losses..makes them more hungry for success next year....better draft picks too

[Ramps]

Essendon have hammered Brisbane, they'll beat us easy next week if they play like that. We may as well start the slide down the table to secure the best pick possible.

[mightytiges]

I can't see us falling any further down the ladder than we are tonight given everyone below us has 4 wins or less. Port got conveniently overrun in the last quarter tonight when they could have knocked off North.