andy collins

[Phil McCavity]

Collins has just completed year 1 of his post-Richmond rehabilitation program. Lots of work still to be done. Had lots of surgery, is now in an elite fitness program, skill re-training well underway, game plan re-education etc etc. It's a huge job, and he's competing for a spot in a seriously talented list. But he has the attitude to give himself every chance. Thought Grigg went backwards in 2011 -watched a lot of his games, and he slipped into some old habits, defensive game went from good to diabolically bad, and his kicking got even worse. Still, Richmond seem content with his output and "numbers", and that's ultimately all that matters. He wouldn't be close to breaking into our starting 22 on what he showed in 2011. He never would have got out of the Bullants.

So who won the trade?

From Richmond's perspective, they've won because they have a midfielder who's better than most on their list, and who's weaknesses are minor compared to others they have. Richmond didn't have the resources/expertise to give them a chance of getting Collins on the park consistently.

From Carlton's perspective, it's a nothing trade. We have a heap of better quality midfield depth, and Grigg really wasn't needed so his departure had zero impact. Carlton wanted Grigg to improve his game, but Grigg wasnt up for the challenge and took the easy way out i.e. large contract and automatic selection. If anything it was a positive for us because it gave way more talented players like Zac Touhy more game time. Collins is an unknown.

We got him on the park more regualry than you did and we have less debt and more members-can you believe that?

 

[zeeCFC]

Haha well you don't have more actual members

The debt comes from investing in our football dept. and will be swiftly chipped away at by expected revenue.

Collins will most likely finish his career with more finals than most of your list put together.

 

[HARKER]

Hey guys, just wondering how this little fella is going, when we did the trade with you guys i was really worried because he has quiet a bit on him and is a really sneaky little forward and i wasn't sure the swap was worth it.

But I always liked Collins and would love to see him thrive at AFL level, whats the take on him? Is he gonna make it ?

Have a read through the thread, warty.

I think it would be easy for some to dismiss him, as he didn't see much game time through injury this year.
Collins is a quality player with elite endurance and he can kick a ball.

Next year will be his to show us just what he can do.
Looking forward to it.

 

[Mr.X]

Get some game time into him to build up currency, then trade.

depth player only

 

[parrot]

We got him on the park more regualry than you did and we have less debt and more members-can you believe that?

Yes, but in what condition? Anyone with 2 legs could get a game in Richmond's starting 22. He came to us in terrible condition - poor fitness base, terrible injury management, grossly underweight, poor skills development, zero game plan education, and his confidence was shot thanks to Richmond's infamous toxic culture. Anyway, despite this Ratten can see a footballer with some ability. It's a huge job sorting out these Richmond problems. Richmond's player development practises are borderline negligent. Just have a look at the before and after versions of Mitch Morton and Tambling.

Oh, and Richmond actually have way less members than Carlton even after "Study Trips" Gale started issuing 3 game mini memberships to try to inflate the numbers for political reasons. This is why Richmond's debt continues to escalate, even after he conned the Richmond faithful to chip in another $1mill to help pay his administration debt, and sold 2 games. To top things off, 25k had to be used to pay the AFL fine for salary cap cheating just 4-5 weeks ago. It's a total disaster. You do realise that Gale has never run a business before being appointed as the Richmond CEO don't you? What's happening shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[Jock]

I'm in his corner he was stiff this year he was half a yard off the pace of afl when he came in. Another couple of games and he would have been fine. I like the fact he plays tall. I think he will cement his spot this year.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Didn't he kick a goal for 9thmond, get knocked out, then kick another?

Haven't a clue who he is.

Not to get too brutal, but him McLean and Bower are next years tickets into Free Agency.

 

[parrot]

He has enough promise to justify a spot on our list. But obviously has a long way to go. From what I've seen he does have is some raw ability, innate goal sense and footy smarts. Just needs lots of polishing and massive work on his fitness and de-Richmondization. Great that he's over in Qatar and doing well. Has got an awesome attitude which is mandatory at Carlton. Way too early to write the guy off.

 

[BlueGibbs2011]

The main thing with Collins is Richmond let him go. Even Parrot should own up to this.

That along with the fact that he has no real standout weapon (running?) and does not have size.

Will probably kill it in the Bullants.

For those that wont like these points, c'mon, Richmond have been a basket case for the last...well, er... ever. He only got a game because it was Richmond. Then they let him go by throwing up his name in the Grigg trade. They didn't rate him at all.

Tough but i'm not sure he has any weapons to disprove me. And not just that, tell me who he displaces, even for a spot on the bench.

 

[krayfesh]

Recently, the list of Richmond players that came good after leaving is longer than the ones that didn't.

Have all the time in the world for AC.

 

[Azul]

Personally I preferred the Andy-is-Chuck-Norris thread from last preseason. Compensation for Grigg walking out but to be brutally honest, any game he plays for us will be a bonus.

Needs a big pre-season to strengthen his case as an outside midfielder. Will have to tear it up at the Bullants and reinvent himself as a 25 possession/game wingman (poor man's Simpson), as the small-medium forward positions are taken by Walker, Betts and Garlett.

 

[Dramoth]

Personally I preferred the Andy-is-Chuck-Norris thread from last preseason. Compensation for Grigg walking out but to be brutally honest, any game he plays for us will be a bonus.

Needs a big pre-season to strengthen his case as an outside midfielder. Will have to tear it up at the Bullants and reinvent himself as a 25 possession/game wingman (poor man's Simpson), as the small-medium forward positions are taken by Walker, Betts and Garlett.

We have Hoops spot on the opposite flank as a genuine medium sized forward. This is the position that he was recruited to the club as. Once we get our two tall forwards nailed down properly, you will see Walker becoming our third tall and Collins, Garlett and Betts being our small/medium forwards who will rotate through the midfield.

Admittedly, he needs some size on him, but I would put that down to the lack of development work done on him during his time at Bitchmond. His shoulder injury couldnt have come at a worse time for him really. Definitely interupted his season from then on in.

 

[BlueGibbs2011]

Recently, the list of Richmond players that came good after leaving is longer than the ones that didn't.

Have all the time in the world for AC.

Are you sure...

Invisible/poor...
Tambling
Polo
Collins
Oakley Nichols
Sculz
Raines
Fiora


Good...
Rodan
Ottens

 

[who knows]

he'd have to go as a mid at your club there's no room for another mid sized forward.

 

[Dramoth]

he'd have to go as a mid at your club there's no room for another mid sized forward.

I heard that Freo are in the process of getting a new song...

How about this based on your original one...

Ohhh Freo
fat and slow
kick em in the arse
and they still wont go

Oh freo
Down the ladder they go
Oh We are the freo shockers...

 

[NAUGHT5]

We have Hoops spot on the opposite flank as a genuine medium sized forward.

Pick a spot from the 2011 team for him to make his own because Hoops played 6 games.

 

[Dramoth]

Pick a spot from the 2011 team for him to make his own because Hoops played 6 games.

any of the mids/defensive flankers we were playing in the forward line can be moved out to allow for Collins to slow in there.

 

[krayfesh]

Are you sure...

Invisible/poor...
Tambling
Polo
Collins
Oakley Nichols
Sculz
Raines
Fiora


Good...
Rodan
Ottens

Came good is too specific for a Richmond player. Played well, kept playing.

Schulz is doing a fine job for Port, at any rate.

I'd liken Collins to the good group more than the Tambling-JON group of death.

 

[Claypigeon]

Are you sure...

Invisible/poor...
Tambling (played better at Adelaide then he did for the Tiggers, is a hack tho)
Polo
Collins (Jury is still out)
Oakley Nichols
Sculz (is this Schulz from Port, team is a bust wouldn't say he is)
Raines
Fiora


Good...
Rodan
Ottens
Krakeour?

You still have a slight point though. ..

 

[parrot]

Not sure if the historical odds are that great to be honest. Very few players survive several years of Richmond. Brad Ottens is one exception, but he managed to escape early and it took a lot of effort to get his career back on track. Tambling never recovered from his Richmond experience. He started off as a promising young footballer, and left an emotional wreck. Similar story with Mitch Morton. Each year there’s a huge queue wanting out. This year the list was Morton, Graham, Connors, Thursfield, Jackson, McGuane. Only Morton got his out ticket.