Wallace turns to Cuz for inside word
Justin Chadwick | February 14, 2009 - 5:14PM
Ben Cousins won't take the field against the Dockers on Sunday but Tigers coach Terry Wallace will pick the brain of the former West Coast star as Richmond look to consolidate their recent good AFL form at Subiaco Oval.
Richmond, possessing a host of fleet-footed midfielders, destroyed the Dockers to the tune of 64 points at Subiaco Oval in round four last year before returning in round 15 to hand the Eagles a 77-point spanking.
Wallace felt there were still lessons to be learnt about how to play at the long and narrow venue and said Cousins, who played 110 times at the ground during his glittering 12-year career at West Coast, would provide valuable input.
"Obviously he wants to be involved as much as what he possibly can," Wallace said after training on Saturday.
"I thought there was a couple of things (he could add), all to do with the playing style here and what works and what doesn't.
"We've got a team meeting tonight and he'll probably have some involvement in that."
Richmond have named a strong line-up against the Dockers, with only Cousins, Mark Coughlan, Trent Cotchin and Kane Johnson the notable absentees.
Fremantle, minus skipper Matthew Pavlich and Chris Tarrant, have named a host of youngsters, led by last year's No.3 pick in the national draft, Stephen Hill.
Paul Hasleby has been included for his first game since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in last year's pre-season competition, while David Mundy will captain the side in Pavlich's absence.
Wallace said he would use the hit-out to assess the form of some of his fringe players.
"I reckon we've got five guys who I need to see who virtually have hardly played, or not played at all," Wallace said.
"That's why you love coming to these games, to see whether someone can step up.
"Is there one of your boys who can make a difference?
"One that comes to mind is Angus Graham.
"We've struggled for an extra ruckman, we know Freo have got reasonably strong, good ruckmen and Angus played at the end of 2007 and then did an ankle, so we virtually lost him for 12 months.
"So to see how he's come back with another summer under his belt - as a coach that's the sort of stuff you are looking to see, whether he can add anything to the squad for the year."
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/wallace-turns-to-cuz-for-inside-word-20090214-87i0.html
