Reality Check #2 - The List

[CJH]

We showed 8 players the door last season. Brought in 13 new faces. Do we have a list that will now challenge for the premiership or are more changes needed?

[mighty tiges]

Due to contracts and the fact the system doesn't allow for a complete list overhaul in one draft/trade period, IMO there will still be changes and probably close to the numbers we made after season 2003. Duncan and Rogers will most likely retire and the likes of Houlihan, Hilton, Pettifer, Hyde etc would need to show this year why they should be kept on our list otherwise they will go.

Our depth is still poor this year but that is thankfully becoming moreso now due to the numbers of kids we have on our list unlike previous years where nearly all the players "pushing" for a spot in the side (and sometimes getting a spot by default) were not up to AFL standard. At least this year provided injuries don't create havoc (touchwood) there will be some competition for spots in the 22.

If we under Greg Miller's stewardship draft another new wave of kids next year replacing our remaining "old duds", on top of those kids we have now developing into AFL players, our depth will naturally improve. But all this takes time and patience. IMO we will be pushing for regular finals appearances around 2005/06. 2004 is just a stepping stone.

[rfctigerarmy]

We dont have the mix to win a premiership IMO. I feel that our team hasnt got the balance.

Its hard to explain really, I think our team is thrown together (especially with the lack of depth, players are handing around longer).

Richmond dont tend to rely on one asset that we have. EG: Kangaroos = speed, Brisbane = skill, Collingwood = tall, skilled forwards. We have a few of this and a few of that which sometimes is an advantage but other times I think it doesnt do us any good. We have the wrong combonations (eg; our talls dont work well with our smalls very often) in the forward line. Our backline, even though it lacks height, still works well with one another. Having a new and improved midfield takes time to be a success. With Johnson and Brown basically just coming to the scene it takes time to know how each other plays.

I agree with mighty tiges - 2004 is a stepping stone and it would be fantastic to make the eight this year which some people dont think is possible because of a few losses in practise matches.

We have the list I feel to make the finals, if only it could all fall into place.

[oxx]

Although it is hard to give a fair appraisal of the current list
while Frawley is coach, I opted for,"no".

[Fishfinger]

I'd like a year similar to 1979 where our young players pushed for selection which put pressure on the senior players to perform. By the end of that year we missed the finals but were on fire.
A few players will no doubt have to go, but I don't think our list needs to change as much again next off season as it might be more detrimental than helpful by being unsettling.

[bionicsasquach]

I believe that our senior list is good enough, although our depth is shot to peices. Besides depth i think we need a better coach/strategy and some on field leadership. Once cambo and gas went down there were no leaders. As was also apparentr in the wizard cup. Hopefully we can recruit one of those youngsters that come with wraps like 'has leadership written all over him'

[wrennyboy]

i think our list isnt that good its divided into the following:

Pure Class (Mostly Delivering week in week out)
Chaffey
Coughlan
Campbell
Ottens
Tivendale
Brown
Johnson
A.Kellaway

Will have a better 2004 or a highlight for RFC.
Blumfield
Gasper
Bowden
Newman
Richo
Roach
Tuck
Weller
Morrison
Zantuck
Shultz
Rodan
Dragga (r)
Krakouer
Fleming
Fiora

Will need to improve or look to play VFL Or will retire or trade bait
Hyde
Marsh
Hall
Houlihan
Hilton
Pettifer
Fletcher
Nicholls
D.Kellaway
Rogers

Young Guns
Hartigan
Raines
Jackson
Draga
Foley (r)
Archibald
Gilmour
Moore (r)

[Fishfinger]

A bit tough on Marsh & Fletcher there wrenny. They haven't even played a H & A game for the club yet.

[cairo tiger]

you may recall my poor cattle good cattle thread from last year:

here is wrenny boys assessement: for me it is delete a kellaway and put him in an ok caterogry, add richo to the pure clas cat (if we had a gamer plan that could compliment his strengths h would kick 150 a year) add gas to pure class and we need to trade fiora, bowden, blummers, houlihan, pettifer, hyde, nicholls,

i have argued before that rogers and d kellaway should have been retired by the club last year-very oor decsion by us to not take up 2 young players....sheedy would not have put up with that.

i think our list isnt that good its divided into the following:

Pure Class (Mostly Delivering week in week out)
Chaffey
Coughlan
Campbell
Ottens
Tivendale
Brown
Johnson
A.Kellaway

Will have a better 2004 or a highlight for RFC.
Blumfield
Gasper
Bowden
Newman
Richo
Roach
Tuck
Weller
Morrison
Zantuck
Shultz
Rodan
Dragga (r)
Krakouer
Fleming
Fiora

Will need to improve or look to play VFL Or will retire or trade bait
Hyde
Marsh
Hall
Houlihan
Hilton
Pettifer
Fletcher
Nicholls
D.Kellaway
Rogers

Young Guns
Hartigan
Raines
Jackson
Draga
Foley (r)
Archibald
Gilmour
Moore (r)




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[1980]

Player for player, our list is not that bad compared to the teams that came 5th-8th in 2003.

You cant say our list is bad when we have a spine that includes Gaspar, Ottens and, dare I say it, Richo, and a midfield that includes Johnson, Coughlan and Brown. Depth may be the only criticism.

But they need to learn to play together, they need a simple game plan that they stick to, and they need the team spirit we had in 1995 that has gone missing for so long. I'd argue our list is better this year than it was in 1995, but our team spirit was the reason we exceeded expectations that year.

So the tools are there. Its up to the coach to make it happen.

[wrennyboy]

bit tough on Marsh & Fletcher there wrenny. They haven't even played a H & A game for the club yet.

'Just judged them on the way they played at their old clubs thats if they got a game

[rfctigerarmy]

Breaking up the list like that and the season hasnt even stated yet. I really wouldnt worry about our performance just yet.

[smasha]

One solution really-KISS.(keep it simple stupid)

We always take the long way home.

We should be renamed the Richmond Crabs.






:D

[Coach Required]

here's my list:

Above Standard AFL footballers

Coughlan
Campbell
Ottens
Tivendale
Brown
Johnson

Standard level AFL players

A.Kellaway
Chaffey
Gasper
Newman
Zantuck
Krakouer


Overated AFL Footballers

Bowden
Blumfield
Richo
Rodan

Hacks & Duds

Dragga (r)
Houlihan
Hilton
Pettifer
Fletcher
Nicholls
D.Kellaway
Marsh
Hall
Fleming
Hyde
Rogers
Fiora

Promising youngsters

Shulz
Roach
Weller
Morrison

Youngsters even though no games experience have doubts on:

Tuck
Hartigan
Raines
Jackson
Foley (r)
Archibald
Gilmour
Moore (r)

[Chilli Afterglow]

Yes. only if we have a brilliant run with injuries. Can't lose any of our best 15 or so players and have some of the fringe players performing consistently.

Pretty obvious statement really. Almost all clubs in the comp - except maybe the Bulldogs and Carlton - would be in the same situation.