Tigers resolve shortage of tall men (Australian)

[one-eyed]

Tigers resolve shortage of tall men
Greg Denham | February 11, 2009 | The Australian

FOR the first time in five years under coach Terry Wallace, Richmond should have at least two genuine ruckmen at its disposal as Angus Graham is set to make his comeback in Sunday's NAB Cup match against Fremantle.

For so long the achilles heel of the Tigers, Richmond appears better stocked this season below No1 big man Troy Simmonds.

The 2.01m tall Graham made a promising debut in 2007, but did not play a senior match last season after failing to recover from ankle surgery.

Richmond made plays for several big men that other clubs have stockpiled in recent years, the latest being last October when it chased West Coast's Mark Seaby, who wanted out of the Eagles despite being under contract for this year.

But when no deal could be arranged for the West Coast back-up to Dean Cox, the Tigers drafted Tyrone Vickery with their first-round national draft selection, then added the 2.05m Andrew Browne to their rookie list.

Teenager Vickery left no doubt that he will play senior football this season with an impressive display in Richmond's intra-club practice match last Thursday.

But he will require at least a season to develop. Vickery will not make the weekend trip.

Tigers coach Terry Wallace sees Graham, 21, as a genuine chance of making the grade this year.

"I thought he did enough in 2007 before he hurt himself and he shows real promise," Wallace said yesterday.

"It'll be interesting for him this weekend, especially if he goes against Aaron Sandilands, provided Fremantle plays the big man.

"Clearly we've been struggling for extra ruckmen for years and we identified a deficiency in that area at the end of last season."

In the past two seasons the Tigers have pinch hit in the ruck with Adam Pattison and Graham Polak, who are both better suited to other positions. Pattison had to play as the club's No1 ruck for most of 2007 when Simmonds missed 12 games through injury.

Graham made his senior debut in round 18 of 2007 against Geelong but fractured his ankle against Collingwood in the following round.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037182-5012432,00.html

[mightytiges]

Gus needs to come on this year otherwise Terry will be on his knees night and day praying Simmo doesn't go down with injury.

Our list is looking better structured with more talls but most of them are still young. Long term it's looking good as Vickery, Postie and Putty show promise but we'll need some luck avoiding injury to senior talls for the next couple of years while they develop and bulk up.

[Ramps]

Ive always believed that Putt is a more a Full Forward than a ruckman, but I could be wrong. Itll be interesting to see which one of them develops into the ruckman we need down the track.

[Stripes]

Ive always believed that Putt is a more a Full Forward than a ruckman, but I could be wrong. Itll be interesting to see which one of them develops into the ruckman we need down the track.

I see Vickery much the same and expect him to play up forward at times this year especially if Hughes doesn't show anything.

Stripes