I for one don't believe it is all doom and gloom. Our list isn't as bad as everyone makes out, our recruiting up until 3 years ago was ordinary and thats what we are paying dearly for now. We are paying dearly for the fact that we made a prelim in 01, people believed we weren't far off making a gf and we recruited poorly as a result.
Our recruiting in the last 3 years has been very good, we have some gems that will get better with experience.
One of our single biggest issues is that Terry came to the club with a clear picture and plan in his mind of what was needed to win premiership. Unfortunately during that time the game changed dramatically in terms of the amoutn of pressure applied all over the ground, rolling zones, defensive mindsets. Terry's idea of speed, run, carry with no real defensive emphasis was blown out the door but unfortunately our style of play didnt change or adapt to how the successful sides were playing, that relentless ability to work hard for one another, apply pressure at every contest rather than conceding contest, having that killer instinct in every facet of our game.
These things are things that can be introduced into any group with the right person at the helm, you cant tell me that Collingwood have a team of stars...they are well drilled and want to work hard for each other.
Introducing someone like a Hardwick or a Hinkley or Richardson for that matter with a solid and intense pre season at working on the team things rather than the flairy individual efforts. Setting team standards that wont be deviated from, instilling a level of hardness that wont be compromised regardless of the situation. These things can be instilled over a summer period.
For these reasons I don't believe the Richmond job is insurmountable, we just all need to be on the same page and have the right mindset from the top down and it will happen.
This is a proud club with a group of young guys that don't wish to be the whipping boys that they have been this year and are certainly up for the hard work that is required to turn it around. Sure we will need to cull a few and have a crack at recruiting a few different types and also drafting for the future.
It can happen, and I am confident that it will happen.......
Lets all get behind whoever is appointed and watch this once proud unit return as a force. Wont there be some egg on faces when it happens.........