Richo - to wing or not to wing?

[one-eyed]

Time to clip Matthew Richardson's wings?
Jay Clark | April 04, 2009 11:30pm

MATTHEW Richardson's days of roaming the wing may soon come to an end. Not so much by choice, but necessity. The lion-hearted big man might have earned another three Brownlow votes in a variety of positions, but his team yesterday looked more damaging with him mostly in attack.

The Tigers were toothless up forward in the first half against Geelong, until Wallace's move to send Richo back inside 50 coincided with an inspirational, if not almost unbelievable, comeback.

Although he kicked one one of Richmond's eight third-term goals, the improvement his presence made in terms of structure and competitiveness, along with a reinvigorated onball brigade, was enormous.

Wallace left his match-winner there for the majority of the second-half and, unless other options present themselves, may consider doing so for the rest of the season.

If the coach's decision to move the 33-year-old to a wing was a masterstroke last year, then why can't the switch back prove as rewarding?

The issue up forward appears one of the club's biggest dilemmas, as the Tigers' face a season-defining clash against the Bulldogs next Monday.

But captain Chris Newman, who applauded his team's response during the week but, like his coach, was disappointed with the result, liked Richardson playing all over the ground.

"Matthew has the ability to go everywhere, he was very good on the wing, and he saved us a few times going back, too," Newman said.

"He is as damaging on the wing as he is up forward. I think we have the flexibility to take him forward and take those grabs but also be on the wing, and save a couple too, it's really important."

Richmond was listless forward early, kicking four goals from its first 25 inside-50s in the first half before a marked improvement took hold across the ground after half-time.

Richardson finished with 28 possessions, 14 marks and two goals.

Newman said despite the loss, Richmond at least showed it could compete against the top sides after last week's shocker.

"But certainly we don't walk away patting ourselves on our backs," he said. "The reality is we are zip and two."

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,25290225-5016212,00.html

[mightytiges]

We've found out in the recent past that when Richo plays forward permanently we get no further output from him goal wise most weeks yet it stifles our other forwards anyway because out mids only go to him and not anyone else even when he has 4 defenders hanging off him. I think 28 disposal, 14 marks and 2 goals shows Richo is an asset on the wing it was wise not to overreact to Waite running off him the previous week. What we need is a reliable full forward, another big forward to straigthen us and more forward line pressure. Robbing Peter to pay Paul won't solve our forward line problem long term as Richo at his age is not a long term solution.

[one-eyed]

Wallace: Richo to stay up field
14/04/2009 2:06 PM
Paul Gough
Sportal

Richmond coach Terry Wallace says he will persist with playing his best forward Matthew Richardson in midfield despite the Tigers' lack of potency in attack so far this season.

The Tigers are the lowest scoring team so far this season, averaging just 71.5 points per game with Richardson having kicked just four goals in three matches.

Full article at:
http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/richo-staying-put-68521

[one-eyed]

Matthew Richardson on wing, not a prayer
Michael Manley | April 21, 2009 09:55pm

IT HAS been hailed as Terry Wallace's signature move - Matthew Richardson on the wing - but is it the move that has cost him his job?

While Richo has been on the wing this season, the Tigers have not been able to take a contested mark in the forward line.

There is only one contested marking option at Richmond in the forward line and that is the No. 12.

Yet for most of the season the league's best contested mark has not been where he has been needed.

In a forward line that has kicked only 43 goals for the season, that is where he should be.

Finally on Sunday against Melbourne, Wallace relented just before halftime and moved the big man forward.

Sure you got the Richo goalkicking lottery after that, but the forward line looked functional as he kicked four goals and five points.

Against Geelong in Round 2, Richmond played its best football for the season when Richardson spent the third quarter at full-forward.

To watch Richmond play without Richo in the forward line is to watch a lot of fiddling around with the ball up the ground with the inevitable turnover just around the corner. The players look up, don't see a big target and hold on to the ball for longer than they should.

When Richardson is there, it comes in a bit more quickly.

Wallace said last year part of the reason he made the change was so Richmond could develop a forward line for the future.

His two main hopes, Jack Riewoldt and Mitch Morton, are not big enough or strong enough to be the lead-up targets.

If the talent isn't there to replace him, what is the point?

Who are the other forward options?

Jay Schulz has had his chances and is not the answer; Cleve Hughes was in Coburg's reserves two weeks ago and contested marking is not his forte; Adam Pattison at least gives a contest but isn't the solution.

Having Richo near goal benefits the rest of the forwards. It may prolong Nathan Brown's career by allowing him to get crumbing goals and allow Morton and Robin Nahas to do the same.

Richo has to carry the burden of being the main man in the forward line because he is the only option.

Please, Terry, leave the big guy there -- for your sake and everybody else's.

Michael Manley is a Richmond tragic.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25367714-19771,00.html