My Richmond list review
Herald-Sun
Captain Blood, Richmond Tigers
Monday, September 08, 2008 at 03:45pm
Here’s my take. Add your thoughts.
JOEL BOWDEN
Slow start but played a great last six or so weeks, pinch-hitting as a lead-up forward or sweeper in defence. Won three games single-handedly. Will be 31 next year but experience, versatility and leadership vital.
Verdict: Will keep going for two more years at least.
NATHAN BROWN
Went missing occasionally but his best year since snapping his leg. Also approaching 31 but should be able to play close to goal for a while.
Verdict: One of our real stars. Untouchable.
TRAVIS CASSERLY
Has been at the club three years without cracking a senior game. Big trouble.
Verdict: Gone
CLAYTON COLLARD
Seemed to kick plenty of goals at Coburg as a small forward.
Verdict: Worth keeping as a rookie
ANDREW COLLINS
Named emergency twice in his second year. Will want to make inroads next season.
Verdict: Keep
TRISTAN CARTLEDGE
Showed enough in last couple of games to suggest he could be a handy back-up for Troy Simmonds.
Verdict: Start next year on the senior list
DANIEL CONNORS
Took a while to get a game but shows plenty of spunk. Has a future.
Verdict: Keep
TRENT COTCHIN
Absolute beauty. Can’t wait to see how he goes after a real AFL pre-season.
Verdict: Sign him for 10 years now.
MARK COUGHLAN
Some talk of offering him up as a trade option to West Coast for Daniel Kerr, but I don’t like that idea. We owe this bloke. Started to find his feet at VFL level at the end of year and the club made the right decision to take it slowly, slowly with his latest comeback. If he can stay fit can still be part of an A-grade midfield. Not quick but grunt and courage would be very welcome.
Verdict: Keep
BRETT DELEDIO
Steady rise to superstardom continued in 2008. Will finish top-three in the best-and-fairest. Should start in the middle every game next year.
Verdict: Keep.
SHANE EDWARDS
Played 16 games and was given more time in the middle. Still needs time in the gym but will be very good.
Verdict: Keep
NATHAN FOLEY
Down on last year but still finished eighth in the AFL for clearances. Will learn from copping a heavy tag every week and should get some more help in the guts in future.
Verdict: Still in our top five
DAVID GOURDIS
Don’t really know anything about him. He’s only been on the list one year so would be stiff to be cut.
Verdict: Can’t judge really. Will probably stay.
ANGUS GRAHAM
Cartledge may have gone past him as our second ruckman. Didn’t get close to senior selection but I don’t know if he had injury problems.
Verdict: Could be in trouble.
CAM HOWAT
Vanished after being suspended in Round 1. Good endurance but not quick enough for AFL and we have plenty of others who can play his position.
Verdict: Gone
CLEVE HUGHES
Couldn’t get an injury-free run but had a nice patch mid-season including six goals against Port Adelaide. Coaching staff apparently still see him as our future full-forward.
Verdict: Question mark. Will probably stay
CHRIS HYDE
A goer but by the end of year too many younger guys had gone past him. Thanks for your service, Hydey.
Verdict: Gone
DANIEL JACKSON
One of those who has gone past Hyde. Showed a bit in run-with roles early in the year then fought back from a form slump playing more of his own game in the middle. Has the strong body we need in there.
Verdict: Keep
KANE JOHNSON
Racking up touches as a centreman early then played more as a lead-up forward late in the season. Doesn’t show outstanding on-field leadership but apparently is very good at that stuff off the ground. Will be 31 next March.
Verdict: Keep
JAKE KING
Tries his guts out and I like his aggression, but was found out for pace and skills especially later in the year.
Verdict: Gone
LUKE McGUANE
Had a great year, transforming from a bit of a scrubber to a key part of our defensive blueprint. Still only 21.
Verdict: Keep
JORDAN McMAHON
Polarises supporters with a habit of kicking straight to opponents, but led the Tigers in kicks (313) and rebound 50s. Every team has to have someone supporters love to hate.
Verdict: Won’t be going anywhere
DANNY MEYER
I love the kid, but you can’t wait forever.
Verdict: Trade potential.
KELVIN MOORE
The find of 2008. Versatile and quick and was rarely beaten - kept Buddy Franklin to a total of four goals in two games.
Verdict: Keep
MITCH MORTON
Kicked 35.16 in 17 games and showed plenty as a 21-year-old. Big future.
Verdict: Keep
CHRIS NEWMAN
No.2 at the club for kicks and rebound 50s and rarely makes a mistake. Very, very good player.
Verdict: Keep
JARRAD OAKLEY-NICHOLLS
Given a couple of games but didn’t show anything to suggest he can make it at the top level. Sometimes you just have to admit you got it wrong on draft day.
Verdict: Gone
ADAM PATTISON
Played 18 games but averaged just 11 touches and only three marks. A plodder
Verdict: Question mark
KAYNE PETTIFER
Suspended then dropped then injured. Can’t find a place for him in our best 22.
Verdict: Trade bait
GRAHAM POLAK
Not sure what his future is, but the club will look after him.
Verdict: Safe
DEAN POLO
Struggled to get a game but showed a bit when he got a chance late in the year. Worth persisting with.
Verdict: Keep
DEAN PUTT
Big man who will be given time.
Verdict: Keep
ANDREW RAINES
Season was cruelled by injury and seemingly forgotten, but still a part of our first-choice back six in my view. Provides plenty of dash and kicks long.
Verdict: Keep
ALEX RANCE
Key defender received rave reviews but couldn’t get into the seniors. He will next year.
Verdict: Keep
MATTHEW RICHARDSON
Standout year after being asked to play a new role at age 33. Heart and soul of the place.
Verdict: Legend
JACK RIEWOLDT
A bit hot and cold but showed plenty of promise as a deep marking target or a lead-up forward.
Verdict: Keep
JAY SCHULZ
Tough call. Big, versatile and can take a mark. Still needs to find a defensive side to his game. Will be 24 early next year.
Verdict: Trade potential
JARROD SILVESTER
Back-up key defender on the rookie list. Not needed anymore
Verdict: Gone
TROY SIMMONDS
Stayed fit and competed in the ruck. Would like to see more than 10 goals in 22 games.
Verdict: Keep
RICHARD TAMBLING
Looked to have found his spot as an attacking defender but faded again at the end of the year. Averaged 17 touches but needs to pull out some 30+ games.
Verdict: Trade potential
WILL THURSFIELD
Super reliable and gaining confidence in running off his man.
Verdict: Sign him for 10 years
GREG TIVENDALE
Best wishes for the future.
Verdict: Already gone
SHANE TUCK
Outstanding second half of the year. Still only 26 (can you believe that?)
Verdict: Keep
MATT WHITE
Picked in Round 3 and didn’t give up his spot. Provides a bucketload of dash and enthusiasm and much-needed forward pressure.
Verdict: Keep
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