Lets get around him lads
Batchelor’s bold plan
richmondfc.com.au
2 February 2017 3:06 PM
Richmond defender Jake Batchelor is aiming to reinvent himself in the Tigers’ line-up this year following a frustrating 2016 season.
Batchelor managed just eight senior appearances last season after playing every game the previous year.
He nursed a troublesome left shoulder throughout the second half of the 2016 season, before eventually undergoing reconstructive surgery.
That’s all well and truly behind him now, as he prepares to boldly bounce back in 2017.
“I’d like to add a few more dimensions to my game,” Batchelor told ‘Roar Vision’.
“I’ve probably been known for being a bit of a stopper over the past couple of years, so I’d like to get a bit more flair and run and dash out of the backline, to help Bachar (Houli), ‘Shorty’ (Jayden Short), Oleg (Markov) and those type of players.
“I feel like that’s something a lot of players can do in our team . . . just go a bit more both ways, which will hopefully ease the load off a few other players.
“It’s more of a mindset of taking the game on and understanding that it helps defensively to be able to run offensively as well.
“So I’ve been focusing on that the last couple of weeks and it’s been paying off so far, which is good.”
Batchelor, who turns 25 on February 13, has his sights firmly set on securing a spot in Richmond’s team for its opening JLT Community Series match against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on February 24, and having an instant impact.
“I want to get in the side straight away, then play from Round 1 and just go from there,” he said.
“I had a bit of an off year last year, but I’m looking to, hopefully, get back to my 2015 form . . .
“I’ve just got to get the first one out of the way . . .”
http://m.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-02-02/batchelors-bold-plan
