Certified Legendary Thread Welcome Tim Taranto & Jacob Hopper

[Hank Heavenly]

Does anyone else feel hopper ain't the inside bull we thought he was.Looks skinny and slow for mine.Just my observation from praccy matches

A lot of inside mids look 'slow' during practice matches. The pace is flat out, everyone trying to impress offensively and teams trying to understand new structures.

He still put up good numbers, it's just the "look". When the real stuff starts, and the game settles down, he will look fantastic

 

[tiger_tough]

Does anyone else feel hopper ain't the inside bull we thought he was.Looks skinny and slow for mine.Just my observation from praccy matches

2 pretty underwhelming practice games. Hopefully just going through the motions

Underwhelming? He was the equal leading clearance winner on the ground up against the best midfield in the comp in a belting. Match high in centre clearances and contested posessions too.

He did exactly what we got him for And will only get better.

 

[domin8]

A lot of inside mids look 'slow' during practice matches. The pace is flat out, everyone trying to impress offensively and teams trying to understand new structures.

He still put up good numbers, it's just the "look". When the real stuff starts, and the game settles down, he will look fantastic

That’s true. Players are never fitter and faster than they are now.
I personally was rapt with his output. As you say will only get better

 

[Football Tragic]

I've watched the replay of the Melbourne Practice game again and I have to say that our midfield looked extremely vulnerable, defensively. I've said earlier, that I have concerns about how quickly Taranto and Hopper will be able to adjust to our defensive structure. I think its going to take longer than people hope and it will expose us to more oppositional transitional play. The way Melbourne sliced through us, using short kicks and slap ons (which was very much what we usually do), was heartbreaking but understandable.

Both Hopper and Taranto looked confused and uncertain where to position themselves in our zone. Offensively and tackling, they looked dangerous but they need to quickly gel with the other midfielders to work together to tun the ball over. Turnovers are our game and against Melbourne it was sorely lacking. When you couple this will our lack of forward pressure, it was embarrassing ly easy for the Dees to move the ball from deep in their defense all the way to their F50.

Lets hope our new midfield gets their structure right and our forward pressure improves quickly.

 

[richoplzbreed]

I've watched the replay of the Melbourne Practice game again and I have to say that our midfield looked extremely vulnerable, defensively. I've said earlier, that I have concerns about how quickly Taranto and Hopper will be able to adjust to our defensive structure. I think its going to take longer than people hope and it will expose us to more oppositional transitional play. The way Melbourne sliced through us, using short kicks and slap ons (which was very much what we usually do), was heartbreaking but understandable.

Both Hopper and Taranto looked confused and uncertain where to position themselves in our zone. Offensively and tackling, they looked dangerous but they need to quickly gel with the other midfielders to work together to tun the ball over. Turnovers are our game and against Melbourne it was sorely lacking. When you couple this will our lack of forward pressure, it was embarrassing ly easy for the Dees to move the ball from deep in their defense all the way to their F50.

Lets hope our new midfield gets their structure right and our forward pressure improves quickly.

Taranto was our BOG in both games. Hopper was pretty good also. The blame lays with our existing players who know our gameplan and style inside out. Not the blokes who just got here.

 

[Football Tragic]

Taranto was our BOG in both games. Hopper was pretty good also. The blame lays with our existing players who know our gameplan and style inside out. Not the blokes who just got here.

Bringing in 2 front line midfielders into a side doesn't just impact you around stoppages, it effects every aspect of the ground. Probably more than any position on the the field, the role of midfield impacts your ball movement and the oppositions ball movement the most. With a defensive zone, the midfielders protect the corridor, shut down the switch and clean up the drop of the ball. It only takes one midfielder to leave a hole, one to not pressure the ball carrier, one to leave an outlet player free, and they cut through you like an axe through Ned Stark's neck.

There is no doubt that Taranto and Hopper were two of our best offensive players against Melbourne but they are still learning our defense. This preseason we have not gotten the turnover goals we once got from turnovers. Unless our team pressure and defense is air tight, we will not have a chance against the better teams.

I'm sure both players will learn to tighten up on their role in the zone but it might take a few weeks. Hopefully I'm wrong and I'm reading too much into the preseason games. How Carlton moves the ball against us next Thursday will reveal it either way.

 

[Rich01]

I've watched the replay of the Melbourne Practice game again and I have to say that our midfield looked extremely vulnerable, defensively. I've said earlier, that I have concerns about how quickly Taranto and Hopper will be able to adjust to our defensive structure. I think its going to take longer than people hope and it will expose us to more oppositional transitional play. The way Melbourne sliced through us, using short kicks and slap ons (which was very much what we usually do), was heartbreaking but understandable.

Both Hopper and Taranto looked confused and uncertain where to position themselves in our zone. Offensively and tackling, they looked dangerous but they need to quickly gel with the other midfielders to work together to tun the ball over. Turnovers are our game and against Melbourne it was sorely lacking. When you couple this will our lack of forward pressure, it was embarrassing ly easy for the Dees to move the ball from deep in their defense all the way to their F50.

Lets hope our new midfield gets their structure right and our forward pressure improves quickly.

Don’t overthink it.
It was a practice game.

 

[Rich01]

Does anyone else feel hopper ain't the inside bull we thought he was.Looks skinny and slow for mine.Just my observation from praccy matches

Nah.
Practice matches are all about getting used to the new seasons game style, gelling with your team mates and not getting injured.

Buyers regret after a practice match is a fools game.

 

[richoplzbreed]

Bringing in 2 front line midfielders into a side doesn't just impact you around stoppages, it effects every aspect of the ground. Probably more than any position on the the field, the role of midfield impacts your ball movement and the oppositions ball movement the most. With a defensive zone, the midfielders protect the corridor, shut down the switch and clean up the drop of the ball. It only takes one midfielder to leave a hole, one to not pressure the ball carrier, one to leave an outlet player free, and they cut through you like an axe through Ned Stark's neck.

There is no doubt that Taranto and Hopper were two of our best offensive players against Melbourne but they are still learning our defense. This preseason we have not gotten the turnover goals we once got from turnovers. Unless our team pressure and defense is air tight, we will not have a chance against the better teams.

I'm sure both players will learn to tighten up on their role in the zone but it might take a few weeks. Hopefully I'm wrong and I'm reading too much into the preseason games. How Carlton moves the ball against us next Thursday will reveal it either way.

Our midfield was a massive steaming pile of sh1t last year, probably worst in the entire comp, so bad was it that "Steven Bradbury" Cotchin convinced many around here that he wasn't cooked. Our forwards were phenomenal, our backline awesome. I'll be happy if Hopper and Taranto only take until the bye to fully grasp our system and playing styles. I hope they already fully grasp that if they're expecting Nank to EVER hit it to their advantage they're dreaming. Stand next to the opposition's Lachie Neale's cos Nank can put it down their throats with laser precision. With regards to our blokes, he might occasionally get blinded by the lights, slip over a banana peel get dirt in his eyes then inadvertantly put it to their advantage.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Our midfield was a massive steaming pile of sh1t last year, probably worst in the entire comp, so bad was it that "Steven Bradbury" Cotchin convinced many around here that he wasn't cooked. Our forwards were phenomenal, our backline awesome. I'll be happy if Hopper and Taranto only take until the bye to fully grasp our system and playing styles. I hope they already fully grasp that if they're expecting Nank to EVER hit it to their advantage they're dreaming. Stand next to the opposition's Lachie Neale's cos Nank can put it down their throats with laser precision. With regards to our blokes, he might occasionally get blinded by the lights, slip over a banana peel get dirt in his eyes then inadvertantly put it to their advantage.

Nank's not there to win hit outs or nullify the oppositions ruckmen around the ground he's there to

hey look over there

 

[Rioli2Rioli]

These 2 boys are going to think they are playing in a GF once they walk on the MCG on thursday night with over 90,000 people screaming
They will be looking to put on a good showing in their 1st game for the club

Prestia , Cotchin , Taranto , Hopper are all top notch mids then you add the star power of Dusty & Shai with the guts and determination of Baker
Thats a 7 deep midfield that will need some beating coming up against Cripps , Cerra , Hewett , Kennedy , Docherty & Clowns

Just need to keep Harry & Charlie in control and they are farqed

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Heard a rumour these two might be playing their first game for us on thursday but cant tell you my sources sorry

 

[Coach_Required]

Heard a rumour these two might be playing their first game for us on thursday but cant tell you my sources sorry

Also heard they got Jacob's dad to call in and announce it to the playing squad.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Also heard they got Jacob's dad to call in and announce it to the playing squad.

Dunno about that one, cant verify, but mines most likely right

 

[wegetpumped]

Like most had hopes these 2 might get us firing for another tilt but now I wish we used the draft for the future as team is going backwards in a hurry and the wasted picks might haunt us. I just cant see what they have added and can add. 7 years on good coin well says it all!

 

[domin8]

Like most had hopes these 2 might get us firing for another tilt but now I wish we used the draft for the future as team is going backwards in a hurry and the wasted picks might haunt us. I just cant see what they have added and can add. 7 years on good coin well says it all!

They’d be top 3 in our b and f. They’re upholding their end of the bargain

 

[French Tiger]

Like most had hopes these 2 might get us firing for another tilt but now I wish we used the draft for the future as team is going backwards in a hurry and the wasted picks might haunt us. I just cant see what they have added and can add. 7 years on good coin well says it all!

Imagine our midfield at the moment without them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rioli2Rioli]

Like most had hopes these 2 might get us firing for another tilt but now I wish we used the draft for the future as team is going backwards in a hurry and the wasted picks might haunt us. I just cant see what they have added and can add. 7 years on good coin well says it all!

Just out of curiosity where do you believe Richmond would be without Taranto & Hopper if we never got them to the club ?

We would have 2 more kids that may or may not be any better than RCD / Dow
and in 2024 had a team of kids running around getting smashed for the next 10 years and becoming the next Carlton

How is Carlton going with all the top picks they had
Dow , LOB , Kemp , Philp , Cunningham , and even before that Kreuzer , Gibbs , Walker , Murphy etc

They very well could be a team between 4-10 for the next 5 years and have McKay , Curnow , Cripps , Kennedy , Hewett all at the same age as our older players because they dont know and have never know what its like to be a winning team

We took 5 kids the year before and another 5 this year and could very well get another 2 in 3 weeks time
How many more kids do you want in the team

 

[beema limapep]

I think we paid a little too much.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Imagine our midfield at the moment without them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would be a lot more cohesive.

 

[Rioli2Rioli]

I think we paid a little too much.

In your opinion what was the correct price to be paid ?

The man is averaging 30 touches a game in a team where our supposed super stars are still on a holiday
Hopper & Taranto are the only 2 players actually getting the ball going our way

I would hate to think without their 65 possessions what would have happened last night

 

[SleepingGiant]

Just out of curiosity where do you believe Richmond would be without Taranto & Hopper if we never got them to the club ?

We would have 2 more kids that may or may not be any better than RCD / Dow
and in 2024 had a team of kids running around getting smashed for the next 10 years and becoming the next Carlton

How is Carlton going with all the top picks they had
Dow , LOB , Kemp , Philp , Cunningham , and even before that Kreuzer , Gibbs , Walker , Murphy etc

They very well could be a team between 4-10 for the next 5 years and have McKay , Curnow , Cripps , Kennedy , Hewett all at the same age as our older players because they dont know and have never know what its like to be a winning team

We took 5 kids the year before and another 5 this year and could very well get another 2 in 3 weeks time
How many more kids do you want in the team

I will you where we would be. A bottom 5 finish where we should be with the next Cotchin, Martin, Prestia coming our way.

 

[Rioli2Rioli]

I will you where we would be. A bottom 5 finish where we should be with the next Cotchin, Martin, Prestia coming our way.

So what you are saying is that you want us to be a sh!t side to get top 5 draft picks

Or we could get the next tambling , Dow and if we are very lucky may end up with a Taranto or Hopper type that may play 150 games for the club


Like i said in my previous post , Go have a look at Carlton and tell me how their 2 decades of elite draft picks have gone

 

[Muddiemoose]

I will you where we would be. A bottom 5 finish where we should be with the next Cotchin, Martin, Prestia coming our way.

Taranto was a number 3 draft pick
He is exactly the type of player we would be targeting with a top 5 pick except we would be needing to wait 3 - 5 years at a minimum before they would have an impact

& that’s with the assumption that we pick up a decent player who works out
Plenty of top end mid prospects never work out anyway