Back to Back

[demondavey]

Hi Guys,

Firstly i'd like to say i might not be overly popular with some of you on the main board, but i don't overly care too much. The point of me coming in here today is to generate meaningful and genuine discussion in a serious format with regards to Richmond going back to back in 2018. I also know there is a thread on the main board re this topic but i wanted to bring it in house with Tigers fans alone.

Firstly, we've only seen a handful of practice matches this year, so judging too much from that is probably a bit risky, but nevertheless, what i have seen from Richmond is a pretty ruthless and unrelenting outfit hell bent on winning and winning well. It is almost as though they have gone into another gear and actually realised how good they can be and are.

Looking at this outfit does remind me of Hawthorn. Premature? Maybe. Unrealistic? I don't think so. What i see from this outfit is just cohesion. Smooth ball movement, A grade defensive efforts and structures, a sound and versatile forward line, and a calm and steady coach confident and enjoying his job. Some might say the Tigers resemble that of the Western Bulldogs from 2016, but i see much more than that. The WB have some issues with their coach (won't be going into details on how i know this), some off field saga that has impacted on field from last year, and obviously a big drop in game day output.

This is completely contrary to how Richmond are holding up.

I personally think they are the best side i have seen since Hawthorn, and bar some monumental increase in performance from Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Sydney or GWS, i don't think Richmond will have that many issues come finals. I personally see a bit of a threat in game style coming from Melbourne, but i don't even know if we will make the 8 and if we do i don't think we will be anywhere near Richmond.

So in all seriousness, i think that this is golden opportunity for Tigers to replicate the 73 & 74 efforts and give us a back to back effort. The way they are playing, and bar some unseen disaster, i think you are a top 4 lock and most likely a Grand Finalist at a minimum. You'll be very hard to beat in 2018.

Thanks for your time.

PS - I would also like to point out this is not a troll nor am i looking for bites. My tip right now is Richmond.

 

[tugga]

I've always thought you were a good poster. Now I think you're a great poster.

 

[demondavey]

I've always thought you were a good poster. Now I think you're a great poster.

Opinion on my post though? Do you share these thoughts?

 

[Rustof]

Long way to go, but if we're able to make it through the season with no serious injuries and finish top 4. I'd be backing us for #Black2Back

 

[captain blood 17]

I think you're a great poster. I am holding off on any predictions. There's 5 teams that can't win it. So to me we have a 1 in 13 chance. You need a lot to go right. That's all i know.

 

[demondavey]

I think you're a great poster. I am holding off on any predictions. There's 5 teams that can't win it. So to me we have a 1 in 13 chance. You need a lot to go right. That's all i know.

You’re way in front of the pack. I am watching the replay now and whilst North are poor, the way you’ve attacked the start of 2018 is completely devoid of a hangover.

 

[tugga]

Opinion on my post though? Do you share these thoughts?

Lot of water to go under the bridge. We have great depth these days, but it would be doubtful we could win a flag if any of our top four were out at the business end. We saw how the Giants struggled without Cameron and Mumford in the finals and they have scary depth.
While I will concede we have a good fixture last year (because we finished 13th the year before) and a charmed run with injuries to our top liners, I see no reason why we can't be a top four side for the next three to five years. Whether we can pinch another flag during that time or even next year, I just don't know.
They are tough to win.
I'm keeping a lid on it. Still enjoying 2017 to be honest.
But our JLT form, while only glorified practice matches, says we at least won't drop off on our intensity, which was the cornerstone of our 2017 success.

 

[demondavey]

PS, how has Hardwick turned Caddy into a midfield jet?

 

[This Is Anfield]

Hi Guys,

Firstly i'd like to say i might not be overly popular with some of you on the main board, but i don't overly care too much. The point of me coming in here today is to generate meaningful and genuine discussion in a serious format with regards to Richmond going back to back in 2018. I also know there is a thread on the main board re this topic but i wanted to bring it in house with Tigers fans alone.

Firstly, we've only seen a handful of practice matches this year, so judging too much from that is probably a bit risky, but nevertheless, what i have seen from Richmond is a pretty ruthless and unrelenting outfit hell bent on winning and winning well. It is almost as though they have gone into another gear and actually realised how good they can be and are.

Looking at this outfit does remind me of Hawthorn. Premature? Maybe. Unrealistic? I don't think so. What i see from this outfit is just cohesion. Smooth ball movement, A grade defensive efforts and structures, a sound and versatile forward line, and a calm and steady coach confident and enjoying his job. Some might say the Tigers resemble that of the Western Bulldogs from 2016, but i see much more than that. The WB have some issues with their coach (won't be going into details on how i know this), some off field saga that has impacted on field from last year, and obviously a big drop in game day output.

This is completely contrary to how Richmond are holding up.

I personally think they are the best side i have seen since Hawthorn, and bar some monumental increase in performance from Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Sydney or GWS, i don't think Richmond will have that many issues come finals. I personally see a bit of a threat in game style coming from Melbourne, but i don't even know if we will make the 8 and if we do i don't think we will be anywhere near Richmond.

So in all seriousness, i think that this is golden opportunity for Tigers to replicate the 73 & 74 efforts and give us a back to back effort. The way they are playing, and bar some unseen disaster, i think you are a top 4 lock and most likely a Grand Finalist at a minimum. You'll be very hard to beat in 2018.

Thanks for your time.

PS - I would also like to point out this is not a troll nor am i looking for bites. My tip right now is Richmond.

Like every other contender, of which Melbourne is one, our title defence relies on minimal injuries to key players, players maintaining or improving output and improvement from players like C Ellis, Bolton, Menadue, Markov and many more.
If we maintain our intensity there is no reason why we won't contend again.

 

[captain blood 17]

You’re way in front of the pack. I am watching the replay now and whilst North are poor, the way you’ve attacked the start of 2018 is completely devoid of a hangover.

I just do the season in blocks (usually 5 weeks). Early wins are the key. If you can get to a 4 and 1 start, it usually holds you in good stead at the back end of the season. The one thing i really was looking at was how fit our blokes were after a shorter pre season. And that to me is the impressive part. They appear to have done the work.

 

[demondavey]

I just do the season in blocks (usually 5 weeks). Early wins are the key. If you can get to a 4 and 1 start, it usually holds you in good stead at the back end of the season. The one thing i really was looking at was how fit our blokes were after a shorter pre season. And that to me is the impressive part. They appear to have done the work.

They look elite. I agree.

 

[Tiger V]

They look elite. I agree.

I think the Dee's will be the other team to watch

 

[tiger tyme]

i have liked what i have seen.... i have always thought our defense was the best in the league now we have the pressure and intensity to go with it make them even better and harder to score against but it even seems they have added a bit more on the offensive side of things if we keep this up and have a good run with injuries i really think we have a chance....as it sits right now looks like we have the best all rounded game style.

 

[RunningBounce]

Like the others, I'm not getting sucked into predictions.

What I will say is that I really, really like the way these Tigers play footy. Can't wait for 22 rounds of it. If they can play this brand all year, I don't care if they lose 22 games.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Essendon had gastro, lolnorf are lolnorf.

Injuries are critical to a teams success. We were fortunate last year.

Who knows, anything can happen.

 

[Foley#41]

I think both Tiges and Dees can get to the top 4. From there, anything is possible.

Critical we can keep our A-graders on the park, but I’d back us to win games with one of the big 4 missing in a way we never could in past years. Remember when e couldn’t win a game without Delidio?

 

[Rustof]

PS, how has Hardwick turned Caddy into a midfield jet?

The secret is rotating into the middle after Dusty has torn 'em a new arseh*le.

 

[Tony Harrison]

I think we're in the mix (that is something I've never said preseason ), and that's it. Won't know more till the season gets going and then there's still no guarantees for anyone come finals.

 

[demondavey]

I think the Dee's will be the other team to watch

Melbourne are a long way off top 4 in my opinion. But this isn’t about them

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Essendon had gastro, lolnorf are lolnorf.

Injuries are critical to a teams success. We were fortunate last year.

Who knows, anything can happen.

This...+1

 

[Maroo]

The end results of the JLT games can be completely ignored, but what can’t be ignored IMO is that the players have shown that they have returned fit, hungry & confident.

Given that, with our game style, I feel like injury is realistically the only reason we can’t at least contend.

If we do contend, the possibility that another fit & hungry team is just playing better in September is very realistic so it’d be foolish to try and say we are clear cut favourites.

I do love the platform we’ve built to kick off the premiership defence though.

 

[captain blood 17]

They look elite. I agree.

I wouldn't say elite, but they are running the games out. But we also have to look at our first two praccy match opponents, a team that will finish in the 10 to 7 bracket and a bottom 4 team. You could argue what we did is what a good team should do, but, the opposition was questionable. If we roll Carlton by 6-8 goals in R1, then we will get a fair indication. R2 in Adelaide will be a beauty.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

No comment till the first game of the AFL Season is played...

 

[TigermanM2]

Hi Guys,

Firstly i'd like to say i might not be overly popular with some of you on the main board, but i don't overly care too much. The point of me coming in here today is to generate meaningful and genuine discussion in a serious format with regards to Richmond going back to back in 2018. I also know there is a thread on the main board re this topic but i wanted to bring it in house with Tigers fans alone.

Firstly, we've only seen a handful of practice matches this year, so judging too much from that is probably a bit risky, but nevertheless, what i have seen from Richmond is a pretty ruthless and unrelenting outfit hell bent on winning and winning well. It is almost as though they have gone into another gear and actually realised how good they can be and are.

Looking at this outfit does remind me of Hawthorn. Premature? Maybe. Unrealistic? I don't think so. What i see from this outfit is just cohesion. Smooth ball movement, A grade defensive efforts and structures, a sound and versatile forward line, and a calm and steady coach confident and enjoying his job. Some might say the Tigers resemble that of the Western Bulldogs from 2016, but i see much more than that. The WB have some issues with their coach (won't be going into details on how i know this), some off field saga that has impacted on field from last year, and obviously a big drop in game day output.

This is completely contrary to how Richmond are holding up.

I personally think they are the best side i have seen since Hawthorn, and bar some monumental increase in performance from Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Sydney or GWS, i don't think Richmond will have that many issues come finals. I personally see a bit of a threat in game style coming from Melbourne, but i don't even know if we will make the 8 and if we do i don't think we will be anywhere near Richmond.

So in all seriousness, i think that this is golden opportunity for Tigers to replicate the 73 & 74 efforts and give us a back to back effort. The way they are playing, and bar some unseen disaster, i think you are a top 4 lock and most likely a Grand Finalist at a minimum. You'll be very hard to beat in 2018.

Thanks for your time.

PS - I would also like to point out this is not a troll nor am i looking for bites. My tip right now is Richmond.

This perhaps provides some of the answers

How Richmond players proved winning isn’t everything in footy
Mark Robinson, Herald Sun

I HAVE always thought — or been made to believe — the essence of football was winning.

Winning premierships and knowing, forever, you were someone who helped create something so powerful.

Slogging it out on a grey, rain-spitting Sunday afternoon at the MCG in the middle of July, squeaking home by a goal in a wretched contest, and trudging off exhausted and satisfied, then singing the song, the smiles and collective relief overpowering the pain of the corkie or the bung ankle.

Winning on the road against all odds and 50,000 opposition fans.

But, really, the essence of football exists way before and way above any triumph at the weekend.

The essence of football is connection and belonging.

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale this week announced to the players Damien Hardwick’s reappointment for three more years.

It was expected, but the reaction from the players at Punt Rd was something else.

On the way to the sports hall near the gym, where the players had gathered before training, Gale was asked by the Tigers’s digital media guy if he could film the announcement.

“I don’t think like that,” Gale said later, “but I said, ‘Yeah, whatever’.”

The video — watch it above — shows the players swarming over Hardwick, patting his back, ruffling his hair and some even tackling him in what looks like a schoolyard stacks-on.

It was tender and playfully rough and makes you curious about Hardwick and what qualities he has to command such affection.

“Whether you’re playing for Richmond or playing for Rochester, players want to be with their coach,” Gale said when asked about the unscripted eruption.

“They want to hear from their coach, they want feedback from their coach, they want that proximity with their coach.

“Over the past few years as footy has evolved, we’ve put more and more blockages in front of that, really. We’ve got assistant coaches, we’ve got meetings, we’ve got a full schedule, coaches are being pulled in so many different directions.

“You can have the best list and the best game plans and the strongest, the fastest and the fittest, but if you don’t have that fundamental connection with your coach, you’re not going to execute under pressure or when it’s hard.”

The reaction from the players was instantaneous and real and for every fan who doesn’t barrack for the Tigers, you can only hope the connection between your coach and his players is so powerful.

Does Buckley have it at Collingwood? Worsfold at Essendon? Lyon at Fremantle? Bolton at Carlton? Any of the coaches? Some of the coaches?

You wonder what they thought, if they have seen it, of the Richmond players’ reaction to what was a largely expected announcement.

Are they envious, curious, do they question their own relationships with the players, singularly and collectively?

Of course, a premiership helps, but it was the connection before the premiership which delivered the flag to Richmond.

“Part of Dimma’s growth was recognising what he’s good at and what are his values and what makes him him,” Gale said.

“To say that of itself explains why we won the premiership is simplistic because we obviously had some great players, some good additions and a game plan that played to the strengths.

“I wouldn’t know because I sit in an office, but I think we’re entitled to ask have we over-complicated things.

“It’s become an elite, high-performance program, everything is quantified and measured and benchmarked and it’s scientific ... but surely the real priority is the relationship, the connection between players and between the players and the coach and the coaches.

“That’s what you saw on the video. I’ve been around footy cubs and I can see it, I can smell it when it’s not there.”

Football is connection and belonging. And Richmond is swimming in it. From players and the coach, as we see on the video, to the mighty Richmond army.

This week, the Tigers passed the all-time AFL membership mark. They clocked over 82,000 members and we’re still two-and-a-half weeks from Round 1.

Indeed, football is connection at all levels.

It’s why the disconnect between small towns and leagues and the AFL right now is of major concern.

Country footy and netball is about community. There’s a sense of belonging, about gathering on a Saturday to watch the thirds, the ressies and the ones, and cooking the barbie, making sandwiches and taking turns behind the bar.

The AFL must be careful about messing with the fabric of country football because it also messes with the fabric and soul of small towns.

Football has connected indigenous Australia and non-indigenous more than anything else in this country. And it’s why the disconnect in Tasmania is felt by many across the AFL states. Why leave Tassie to wither? Why AFL?

The Hardwick video clip points to something much bigger.

Of course, it won’t last forever at Richmond.

Luke Beveridge can testify to that. At the end of 2016, it was stacks on Beveridge and 12 months later the Bulldogs didn’t even play finals.

“We know it’s a ruthlessly competitive business,” Gale said.

“I know the players are humble and very hungry, they’ve got the taste, and the connection is strong. But there’s no guarantees in football.”

 

[demondavey]

Lads, I know you don’t want to get carried away, but if I said you’d just scrape into the top 6 you’d defend your flag opportunities in 2018 with vim and vigour!

I think that based on what I’ve seen, you look really really sharp. I give you a very good opportunity. Very good.