Tigers best of the rest
Mike Sheahan | August 26, 2008
THEY are "also-rans", all eight of them, yet, just as certainly, some ran better than others.
Of the teams that will not play finals this year, only three can be satisfied with their progress.
Two of those three - Carlton and Richmond - stand out as contenders for the dubious accolade of "best team out of the eight", and the Tigers just get the nod.
That's not to mean I expect them to finish higher next year, but we're reflecting on what's been and not necessarily what's coming.
Richmond has jumped from 16th to ninth, increasing its wins from three to 10, with another one to come against Melbourne on Sunday.
Carlton has been almost as good, climbing from 15th to 11th, increasing its wins from four to 10.
Essendon is the only other also-ran to make ground this year, even though the number of wins has dropped from 10 to eight. No team in the competition has suffered more from the fickle finger of fate, with injury after injury, starting with Scott Lucas and Alwyn Davey early on.
The Bombers have been forced to use 39 players, more than any other team, yet have continued to play a bold, productive style. They have outscored teams including North Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and St Kilda.
Richmond is entitled to be happy with its progress, despite the cynicism surrounding yet another ninth place.
The Tigers seemed to be destined for (more) upheaval mid-season, with just three wins and a draw from 11 rounds.
They have since won seven of 10.
While Matthew Richardson, 33, has been the star, with more than a little help from Joel Bowden, 30, in several tight finishes, and Kane Johnson and Troy Simmonds, both 30, finally there is a long-term future.
In alphabetical order, the future is symbolised by Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Shane Edwards, Nathan Foley, Luke McGuane, Kelvin Moore, Mitch Morton, Andrew Raines, Jack Riewoldt, Richard Tambling, Will Thursfield and Matt White.
When was the last time Richmond had a dozen players 22 or younger with a bright future?
Had the Tigers taken their chances early in the season, specifically against the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, they would be playing finals.
The player psyche has been badly scarred in recent years; winning 11 games this year, including a 29-point win against Hawthorn, will do wonders.
The Blues have shown huge promise and will be in my predicted final eight next year.
Much of the improvement was anticipated on the arrival of Chris Judd and the return from injury of Nick Stevens.
Yet, it's been even better than expected. Marc Murphy, Bruce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer are going to be elite players, while Michael Jamison is a top prospect in defence.
The talented Andrew Walker plus Shaun Grigg and Paul Bower enhance the mix.
The one thing Carlton has over Richmond is youth. Heath Scotland and Nick Stevens are the eldest of Saturday night's 22 at 28.
The Blues won three of four interstate, and have finished powerfully almost every week, including a 38-point turnaround in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Throw, say, Robbie Warnock into the mix, and it's an exciting picture.
The biggest disappointment surely has to be Port Adelaide.
Port may have been flattered by second place in 2007, but it was "gone" by the halfway mark this year at 4-7.
It has won just six games, including three of 11 at home.
Coach Mark Williams seems to have been distracted by a whole host of matters, while, for a variety of reasons, none of the play-makers - Chad Cornes, Shaun Burgoyne, Brendan Lade and Peter Burgoyne - have had the expected impact.
As bad as the West Australian teams have been, Melbourne also has to be at the bottom.
Three wins and a percentage of 64, coupled with several humiliating losses, paints a bleak picture.
Coach Dean Bailey has invested his faith in youth, but, as he said at the weekend, youngsters are reasonably expected to play with enthusiasm and vigour.
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