Mid-season review
Martin Blake | June 11, 2009
RICHMONDWHAT'S GONE RIGHT:The trumpeted recruiting of Ben Cousins has been moderately successful, despite his early hamstring tear. Daniel Jackson continues to emerge as a run-with midfielder and the Tigers have put some game time into the prodigiously talented Trent Cotchin and brave Alex Rance. Mark Coughlan's return has been rewarding for the club and the player, and Mitch Morton looks like a long-term forward.
WHAT'S GONE WRONG: The coach has quit, the gun player (Matthew Richardson) has a long-term injury and another senior player (Kane Johnson) has gone. The measly two wins were against bottom-half teams (Fremantle and North Melbourne). Where would you like to start?
THE COACH:Terry Wallace did not complete his fifth season. Jade Rawlings, the caretaker, is taking over a team that has little confidence, low skill levels and lacks leadership.
SURPRISE:Robin Nahas came off the rookie list after three years in the VFL. While size is against him, Nahas has enough pace and willingness to create forward pressure to suggest he has a chance to defy the odds.
DISAPPOINTMENT:Again, where do you start? Kayne Pettifer looks good at times but the end result is poor; Jay Schulz can't break through and Troy Simmonds has petered out. Richard Tambling is paying for being such a high draft pick and even Brett Deledio has faded slightly on last year's form.
THE DRAW:Not pretty. The Tigers still have to play St Kilda, Hawthorn and Collingwood, plus travel to Subiaco.
PREDICTED FINISH: 15http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/midseason-review/2009/06/10/1244313187729.html?page=fullpage
