Jade Rawlings fits Richmond Tigers bill
Glenn McFarlane | June 14, 2009 11:30pm
RICHMOND stopper Daniel Jackson says the Tigers need to appoint a young coach for next season and caretaker Jade Rawlings fits the profile.
After the Tigers' 15-point win against West Coast in Rawlings' AFL coaching debut on Saturday night, Jackson said the players had tremendous faith in their new coach's method and direction heading into the second half of the year.
"I think we are really suited to having a young coach who is only recently out of the game," Jackson said.
"The psychology of players these days in being so professional means they have a good understanding of the game.
"Older coaches really know their stuff. But I think that we, as a young group, have a lot of talent and a really good base there. We need to tinker with a few things, but I really reckon we are on the right track."
Jackson, who played a key role in quelling Eagle Daniel Kerr at Etihad Stadium, heaped praise on the way Rawlings had responded since being given the senior role after the departure of Terry Wallace.
"Jade has been fantastic," Jackson said. "He has coached a lot of these players. He knows them really well and knows how to get the best out of them.
"I love playing under him. I always know where I stand, and he is just honest with everyone. I think he is going to do a fantastic job for us for the rest of the season.
"After last weekend, we felt a little bit of pressure come off. It was a new beginning kind of feel. It was really exciting at training on Friday. We took that into the game, and it paid off for us.
"Our main focuses were the team-first aspects, and the defensive mechanisms. That's what St Kilda is doing at the moment. It has made them a better side, and that's what we want to focus on."
The hard-working Tiger, who has claimed a number of important scalps this season, took another when he restricted the influence of the dangerous Kerr.
Jackson used all that he could to keep himself between Kerr and the ball, as the pair exchanged words and physical clashes throughout the night.
"I love a scrap," Jackson said. "If it means I don't have to run anywhere, then I am happy, and if it wears them out, then that is a win for me.
"As long as I don't get another wrestling fine, I will be happy.
"They (Kerr's teammates) really started to help him out in the second half, which made my job even harder and he got a few more (possessions). But I think he only had four kicks for the game and two or three came from my mates helping me out, when they gave away free kicks.
"So we were able to wear him down a bit."
Jackson praised the work of Richard Tambling and Mitch Morton, key men in the club's third win of the year.
"Richard Tambling has had his critics over the past few years, but I reckon it would hard to find a better first quarter than he had," he said.
"He had 14 touches and was an absolute golden boot. He gave off three or four (goals) from his own boot, and he may have had a hand in the other two.
"He has always had the talent, and been a hard worker, but he is starting to put that all together. I know he was pretty tired in the second half. They kept working hard with a tag on him.
"Mitch has had a few tough games, but that's what he does - he kicks goals and keeps sticking to it."
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,25634478-5016212,00.html
