Disappointment for Matthew Rogers on Saturday while playing for Coburg. Matthew has again strained his quadricep. Matthew is 4 games short of the magical 200 games for the Tigers. Here's hoping he can recover quickly to give himself every opportunity to play those 4 games. I have actually been thinking that maybe the Club (once Matthew's fit of course) should let him play the required games and then perhaps have him retire, thus creating the opportunity to promote one of our rookies.

Also, suffering an injury on Saturday was Alex Gilmour who was taken to hospital with what was described in today's Herald-Sun as a "suspected scratched eyeball". Begs the question how would any player suffer that sort of injury?

Duncan Kellaway continues to struggle with hamstring problems. It seems that every week the Club's web- site says Duncan will miss 1 week. Going by OER's count last week was the 2nd consectutive week of "1 week" having come off 2 consecutive weeks of "2 weeks". Undoubtedly, frustrating for Duncan - hamstring problems for players who have had knee reconstruction is not uncommon. I have been told that part of the problem stems from part of the hamstring muscle being used in the knee reconstruction process and as a result it can weaken the hamstring muscle over a player's career. With Duncan having had 2 "recos" it shouldn't surprise that he has struggled so much over the past 2 season with bad "hammies".

The Tigers Footy Director Greg Miller and suspended ruckman Greg Stafford briefly attended a pre-match function for one of the Clubs membership groups. Greg told us that the number one priority in our match against the Hawks was for the team to play on and run at all costs. He said this approach was being employed to increase player confidence. Going by the performance of most of the players it certainly had the positive effect everyone was looking for. I think Chris Hyde was one player who definitely benefited, getting plenty of game time (101 of a possible 119 minutes) and playing his best game for the Club.

Greg also gave a special mention to coach Danny Frawley regarding the way Danny had conducted himself in the week after the Adelaide game. Using as examples, fronting the media on the Saturday morning, appearing on Talking Footy on Tuesday and of course the daily newspapers columns Greg said Danny had not taken a backward step and had shown great courage while being subjected to some of the most intense scrutiny he had ever witnessed.

Greg Stafford told us about what he had been up to while serving his 3 week suspension. Describing it as "community service" Staffy has been busy doing a lot of media. I will admit that I didn't hear his interview on 3AW after the Adelaide match but it was mentioned that Staffy had a bit of a "run in" With Robert Walls. Anyone who did hear it please drop me a line.

In what year did Scanlon's first produce their now famous swap cards?

Answer next Week

Got the answer to this week's trivia question.

Feel free to drop me a line at:

WilliamPowell@oneeyed-richmond.com

And from my Soap Box...

A week is obviuosly a long time in football. The Footy classic cliche manual has it listed at number 10.

A week is also a long time for footy writers. Look at this:

From Mark Robinson in the Herald-Sun on Saturday April 24th 2004.

"It's no longer a matter of if, but how. Just how will the Tigers end their 5 year association with Danny Frawley. And soon. In these times, someones has to be sacrificed for the good of the club... Anything is better than this."

From Mr. Robinson in the Herald-Sun 1 week later on May 1st 2004:

"This was a win for the ages... Can there be any better win for a team on its knees , for players who were a laughing stock of the city, for a coach who was lost, and gone, and sacked, all in the one day? There aren't.

Vicious attack one week (advocating the sacking of the coach), to over the top back slapping the next. Which is it?

Best of 3 perhaps or maybe another example of the media using the Richmond Football Club to sell papers?

There was a word starting with "H" that quicky sprung to mind - I'll let you guess.

I'd be interested to know what other people think - either email me direct or post your thoughts on the OER Forum

And my final word.....

Just a reminder that the next Tommy Hafey Club luncheon is on Wednesday June 2nd and it will feature a tribute to our 1969 Premiership Team. So if you want to enjoy an afternoon of Tiger heaven this is for you.