Reasons to be cheerful
2:51:48 PM Thu 15 December, 2005
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au
Richmond big man Ray Hall says there are plenty of reasons for Tiger fans to head into Christmas with optimism looking ahead to 2006 - not the least of which is the return to the training track of champion forward Nathan Brown.
Hall revealed to Sportal that Brown joined in training with his teammates on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a horrific broken leg in round 10 this season.
"It was the first time he has been out on the track doing drills with the rest of us and it was great to see because we all know how much hard work he has put in," Hall said of Brown.
"It looks like Browny is going to be ready by round one now and that is a huge boost for the whole club."
But it's not just the return of Brown that has Hall so excited about the Tigers' prospects in 2006.
Hall, who enters his eighth season at Tigerland in 2006, said while the senior players were excited by the Tigers' new crop of draftees - headed by top pick Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls - it was last year's crop of draftees who could make the biggest impression next year.
In particular Hall nominated 187cm Dean Polo and 192cm Dean Limbach - neither of whom managed a senior game in their debut seasons last year - as players to watch in 2006.
"Dean Polo has been really impressive over the pre-season and he is running really well while Dean Limbach has really built up (he has added 10kg to his 74kg frame) but for someone who has put on a bit of size he is moving really well."
And Hall said the return of lively midfielder David Rodan, who missed all of year following a knee re-construction, would also give the Tigers a big boost.
"Dave is set for a really good year, he was almost ready to play at the end of last year but now he is training really great and he is a good midfielder for us."
After last year's big improvement from four wins to 10 wins in Terry Wallace's first season as coach, Hall said the Tigers were capable of being part of the September action in 2006.
"We have got to be aiming to play finals next year," he said.
"We were right up there with a chance this year until the last couple of games and I remember playing in the finals in 2001 and that is what you play footy for, to play in finals."
Hall, who should notch up his 100th game this season, is desperate to do all he can to lift the Tigers back into September admitting that at 25 he should be coming into his best years as a player.
"It has taken me a while to develop but my best footy really should be ahead of me over the next three to four years," the versatile big man said.
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