Good news for young Kyle Archibald regarding his battle with the dreaded OP. He has finally commenced training. He is now running and joining in light skills sessions. It is hoped that Kyle will be able to play in about 7 weeks. Let's keep our fingers crossed for Kyle that he is able to play some footy this season because it certainly has been a frustrating 2004 so far for the young fellow.

Even better news for Tiger fans was Mark Coughlan's appearance for half a game for the Coburg reserves on Saturday. Mark pulled up well after the game. He collected about 10 disposals and kicked a goal. Greg Miller quipped on Sunday that the Frankston guys didn't realise who he was until he gathered 8 or 9 kicks. Once Frankston woke up, Cogs faced 3 opponents.

For those of us at Coburg on Saturday we saw Shane Morrison leave the ground in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Fortunately, Shane returned to ground late in the final quarter (being robbed of what appeared to be a mark 20 metres out from goal). He pulled up well on Sunday morning and it doesn't appear to be a serious injury.

What a big fortnight it has been on my social calender. First up was the 2nd Tommy Hafey Club luncheon for 2004 that which honoured the 1969 Premiership team. One of the "regulars" at the Tommy Hafey Club luncheons is the great Roger Dean. Roger is always available to for an autograph and a chat. I was with a couple of friends chatting to Roger and he raised an interesting question - considering the amount of coaching that young players receive at TAC Cup level why are the skills of so many so poor? In particular why do players struggle so much with disposal on their non preferred side? A couple of very fair questions I would have thought.

Last week was my first Club80 dinner and I must say I was impressed with line up of guests. Geoff Raines was there with his son Andrew and I must say Geoff looked so fit that if he pulled on a jumper today he'd certainly get a few kicks. Geoff also said that he considered Richmond his "home" and that was why he was pleased when Andrew was picked up by the Tigers. Another guest was former St Kilda coach Stan Alves. What an inspirational speaker and I couldn't help but think how unfortunate it is that Stan is no longer involved with any AFL club - he certainly would have a lot to offer.

The answers to last weeks "quickie" trivia question is:

Ian Wilson was President of the Tigers for 12 years from 1974 to 1985 (although Barry Richardson is listed as being president in 1985 as well)

This weeks question:

Who am I?

Born in 1971 I played 6 games for the Tigers between 1989-1990 and I kicked 1 goal. I was recruited from Oakleigh. In 1991 I played 1 game and kicked 1 goal for the Eagles .

Answer next Week

If you have got the answer to this week's trivia question.

Feel free to drop me a line at:

WilliamPowell@oneeyed-richmond.com

Or post it on the forum!

And my final word...

Petitions, 2nd half fade outs, reports that we are about to lose a major sponsor - can it get any worse? If we believe everything that is written about us in the papers the answer is yes

I know I take a rather cynical view of the media most of the time but I reckon I have good reason. For example let's take a look at the reporting of our latest crisis the "petition". It has been reported that one of the contributing factors in not getting the required number of signatures (100) was the small crowd of 18,000+ at the MCG on Sunday.

Excuse me....a crowd of 18,666 of which at a minimum 10,000 would be Richmond members and someone couldn't get 100 signatures. No disrespect to the gentleman gathering the signatues but using the crowd as the reason for not getting the signatures well ... put simply ... Ladies and Gentlemen of the media...I don't think so. It would appear our ability to sell newspapers and making good "copy" has no bounds. I just wonder if it was any other Club in the AFL would this story still have legs?