Unofficial Preview Changes and perspectives prior to Tigers 45th MCG home game this year

[Partridge]

Thats true. Ultimately though I don't think Smedts had the required desire and dedication to make it at AFL level.

I don't think they were the problem, as I saw him play plenty of very good VFL games when he was really pushing himself. I think the main issue was physical - once his shoulders started getting busted that was it. Whether any club should take the punt on skinny players no matter how talented is probably a reasonable question.

 

[cats_09]

I was more thinking about the high and low ball situation, usually wet games are more contested around the ball where we need smaller ground players. The wet weather essentially takes the high ball option off the table. How effective can you see 2 rucks being against the Richmond smalls? Dont see it working myself.

The old saying with wet games is that "tall players won't get shorter but quick players will slow down" - thats why you you are best sticking with your structures, because while the game could easily become more contested that won't necessarily mean that everything will be at ground level or that quick players will suddenly have the advantage.

I'd stick with the height because thats the structure which has worked for us this season and the odd times we have tried to go away from that it hasn't worked

 

[Seeds]

I was more thinking about the high and low ball situation, usually wet games are more contested around the ball where we need smaller ground players. The wet weather essentially takes the high ball option off the table. How effective can you see 2 rucks being against the Richmond smalls? Dont see it working myself.

Tall forwards and defenders can be a liability in the rain for the reasons you suggest. But ruckman are more important cos there are far more ruck duels in the rain.

 

[catpremier 07]

Menzel will play a blinder. His been waiting for a stage like this

 

[Ratcat]

Tall forwards and defenders can be a liability in the rain for the reasons you suggest. But ruckman are more important cos there are far more ruck duels in the rain.

Our talls aren't very tall so it's irrelevant, the tall myth is diabolic and deadly, l wouldn't go there.

 

[Seeds]

Menzel will play a blinder. His been waiting for a stage like this

If he does the MC should resign for costing us a genuine shot at the 2017 flag.

 

[Wojo]

You wish.

Is warhorse that plonker Bobby?

 

[Vdubs]

Funny how they are now get out of jail wins but at the time they were fantastic comeback wins. Unsettled means nothing when you still win games, I see Richmond as unsettled this week without Prestia and you're declaring them 6 goal winners.
We may be 8th but if we had of won one of those games we were expected to win we could have been 4th. pretty sure we've beaten 6 out of the top 10 sides and you have us an 8-12 side, think you're the only person on this forum that thinks that.

Why worry about my meaningless opinion? Just expressing what I feel. It's based on all our games this year. The 2 Demons games are exceptional, but could well be significant as a stepping stone for this year. Time will tell.
I really love our team, coach and players, but can accept they are a fair way off handling the pressure Tigers can dismantle us with.
If we get up tonight, yes, I will be rapt and surprised.

 

[00VicWard001]

I'm not sure that we'll be going all that fast out of defence - teams now try and pick their way through Richmond rather than outpace them, for obvious reasons.

I’m hoping we’re not doing this out of defence, rather, the centre or from the wings.

 

[iameviljez]

I’m hoping we’re not doing this out of defence, rather, the centre or from the wings.

I suspect you'll be disappointed - pick your way out of defence, then hit the go button from half-back or wing.

 

[iameviljez]

If he does the MC should resign for costing us a genuine shot at the 2017 flag.

We weren't even close to Richmond that night.

 

[00VicWard001]

I don't think they were the problem, as I saw him play plenty of very good VFL games when he was really pushing himself. I think the main issue was physical - once his shoulders started getting busted that was it. Whether any club should take the punt on skinny players no matter how talented is probably a reasonable question.

I agree, watching Danger get smashed and get up to get to the next contest, you just know that if you’re a smaller player who cannot ever compete on an equal physical level (just because genetics), then you better be elite at something else (Betts). Even then, it’s rare that a smaller player ends up that good at another dimension of the game.

 

[iameviljez]

I don't think they were the problem, as I saw him play plenty of very good VFL games when he was really pushing himself. I think the main issue was physical - once his shoulders started getting busted that was it. Whether any club should take the punt on skinny players no matter how talented is probably a reasonable question.

Depends on whether the skinny players in question can bulk up enough. Scarlett started as a skinny player, so did Joel Corey, Cam Guthrie, etc.

 

[Seeds]

We weren't even close to Richmond that night.

Late in the third qtr we were in front by a couple of points. If we were in front by 2-3 goals instead who knows what would of happened as tactics employed by both teams would of differed.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Is warhorse that plonker Bobby?

Worse, it's the Potato Blight.

 

[Fyre]

Collingwood played far better when they exploited Richmond’s lack of second ruck. We should do the same. We could break the game open doing it.

They actually didn't. Richmond outscored the Pies while Nank was off he ground. Grundy and Nank were pretty much on par for the first half and Grundy got on top of him in the 2nd half. It just didn't amount to a win.

That is why I don't believe having an extra ruck is going to be the make or break in the game. They are just such a solid team that works so hard for each other, other elements will be the deciding factor.

 

[Pollywaffle]

I was more thinking about the high and low ball situation, usually wet games are more contested around the ball where we need smaller ground players. The wet weather essentially takes the high ball option off the table. How effective can you see 2 rucks being against the Richmond smalls? Dont see it working myself.

We don't seem to play good wet weather style. There seems no adjustment from players or coaches. Excessive handballing and too many players flying in packs with resultant out the back ground ball releases to the opposition. Going tall will just exacerbate this issue.

 

[Daniel McL]

Really excited for tonight. If we lose it’s expected I just hope we put in a good effort, if we win it’s incredible.

Such a better feeling heading into a game like this compared to a game against a team in the bottom 4/8 who we SHOULD beat but we’re all so worried about losing. At least with this game I’m tipping Richmond but really excited!

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Late in the third qtr we were in front by a couple of points. If we were in front by 2-3 goals instead who knows what would of happened as tactics employed by both teams would of differed.

Doubt it'd have mattered. Losing Guthrie was the problem, he'd curtailed Martin up until getting injured.
Dusty getting off the chain in the last won them that game.

 

[frggr]

The rain's about to come in. Hopefully it dries up by tonight.

How many night games have we had this year? Seems we always manage to get slippery conditions

 

[maryjames]

6 years ago today this happened.



Here's hoping for a repeat performance tonight!

Loved that game.

 

[Landgraft]

Doubt it'd have mattered. Losing Guthrie was the problem, he'd curtailed Martin up until getting injured.
Dusty getting off the chain in the last won them that game.

There are so many points on which games turn, or could turn but don't. Sadly too many will just look at the result and conclude it was inevitable - and that's just based on the actual events of the night.

In sports winning eventually washes away everything else. And so well done to the Tiges. But I don't think we should ever pretend there are foregone conclusions.

 

[Hava Alle]

Surely Selwood plays pure mid tonight?? Surely?

 

[iameviljez]

Late in the third qtr we were in front by a couple of points. If we were in front by 2-3 goals instead who knows what would of happened as tactics employed by both teams would of differed.

I take your point, but I also felt that we were lucky to be that close - Tigers controlled territory and we did better out of our forward fifty entries up until that point, so I don't think that Menzel's omission really mattered.

After that, the floodgates opened like they were threatening to do all game.

 

[you pick one]

Doubt it'd have mattered. Losing Guthrie was the problem, he'd curtailed Martin up until getting injured.
Dusty getting off the chain in the last won them that game.

What game and year are we talking here?