Daniel Rich: Possible Eagle in 2012?

[Goldfish]

100% agree.

Is that dropping the ball thing still a rule?

Also, it's about time the AFL made throwing legal. Practically all players do it and it's not really fair to have umpires looking for handballs all the time.

Was at the match and lost my sh*t many times yesterday at the disgraceful umpiring. I've never been lucky enough to see a match live in Perth, but there is no way it could be as bad as the biased umpiring yesterday.

Our tackling pressure, whilst not up to recent weeks, was good for patches in our forward line, but not once did the umpire pay a free kick (there was a Davis dropping the ball missed in our goal square that comes to mind).

Another example was when Maxwell tackled NikNat in a marking contest just before 3/4 time, the ump called play on, and the exact same thing happened at the next contest and he paid the free to Thomas!

Anyway, back on topic, there was an article on the AFL website about Rich and the Lions:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/115068/default.aspx

It could be read either way, although he does state:

"Every really good team that performs well has a young group of guys that comes through together at the same time," Rich said.

"You've seen it with teams going well now like Collingwood and Geelong and teams like that, so it's exciting times heading forward if we can keep the young group together.

"It's 100 per cent my decision and he (manager Paul Connors) is just there to help me and guide me, but it (keeping the young group together) definitely plays a big part."

 

[happy_eagle]

I wouldnt pay much attention to what he says, because he isnt going to come out and say that he wants to leave mid season

Judd was still saying in 2007, how much he loved living in Clearmont

 

[WCE_phil]

I wouldnt pay much attention to what he says, because he isnt going to come out and say that he wants to leave mid season

Judd was still saying in 2007, how much he loved living in Clearmont

Mind you rich doesn't have the wicked witch of the west whispering into his ear about moving.

 

[The Dodger]

Really ? Are you telling me that if WC's midfield yesterday consisted of Lewis Jetta, David Wojinski, Stephen hill and Brett Peake - that it would have made any difference at all.

Given the Western Bulldogs are acknowledged as being far more fleet of foot than Collingwood, then how did WC beat them the week before ?

Masto - whilst there is no doubt WC midfield would be better rounded with a line breaker in the mould of Hill or Judd, the simple fact is that this type of player will not solve their problems overnight. In fact if you look at the top 5 teams in the comp - Geelong, Coll, Hawks, Carlton and Ess - only Judd and Winderlich have good pace with honorable mentions to Thomas, Jetta and Zaharakis (off the top of my head). Geelong arent fast, neither are Collingwood whilst Hawks are almost pedestrian.

All teams look slow when they are getting towelled up and WC are no different as was WB the week before and Freo on the weekend as well.

I disagree about the amount of difference a player like that can make. They are very good ball carriers once your team get on top. I think you need more blue collar players to get the job done but you also need the pace to make the job easier.
Geelong - how good do they look when WoJo grabs the ball and takes off leaving people in his wake, same for Travis Varcoe.
Collingwood - Thomas leaves people behind, and Swan & Didak appear to be deceptively quick.
Hawthorn - I agree very 1 paced until a player by the name of Cyril Rioli is in the midfield and blows the game apart in a matter of minutes as he did to us.
Carlton - When Garlett moves up into the play and then runs forward when Carlton break there is no stopping him.
Essendon - Jetta is quick, and he showed how damaging he can be against us. When they turned it on in the 3rd it was Jetta who was involved in nearly all goals by being the linkman out of defence to the forward line. As in Garlett's case it's his judgement and speed that help him realise when there is going to be a turn over/or winning back of possession, and breaks.

I think at least 1 of this type of player is very required. IMO with the current team we have would be highly effectual as well. For example what Rioli adds to the Hawthorn team would be similar for us. At the moment I think Embley is the player who "cheats" for us by playing russian roulette at stoppages. He is good at it but when you make that player a Leroy Jetta or a Garlett I think the damage that can be done would be greater. They don't win games but they can get you more bang for your buck when you get a clear break. Which in todays games where breaking is hard to do because of zones, every time you get a break you need to take full advantage of it.

 

[September_Glory]

What it meant was that Kennedy had to come out to the HF line to mark which meant he was then double teamed because
1) WC's HFF's didnt spread to stop Collingwood's defenders from working together and
2) WC were so Kennedy conscious that O'Brien, Maxwell etc knew exactly where the ball was going.

Good post overall but I have issue with one thing.

Those two points you mentioned are fixable. It shouldn't be that hard to make tactical adjustments in game, good coaches do it routinely. The frustrating thing is, we did that for a brief period with Lynch, early in the 2nd but didn't see it again after that.

Eventually, we will be forced to adjust or face losing winnable games. The coaching staff has failed on this same issue twice, both times failing to adjust after half time, both strategic failings impacting heavily on the result.

It's a weakness and Mick exploited it to full effect. It's only a matter of time before other coaches do too.

 

[BOND 007]

I disagree about the amount of difference a player like that can make. They are very good ball carriers once your team get on top. I think you need more blue collar players to get the job done but you also need the pace to make the job easier.
Geelong - how good do they look when WoJo grabs the ball and takes off leaving people in his wake, same for Travis Varcoe.
Collingwood - Thomas leaves people behind, and Swan & Didak appear to be deceptively quick.
Hawthorn - I agree very 1 paced until a player by the name of Cyril Rioli is in the midfield and blows the game apart in a matter of minutes as he did to us.
Carlton - When Garlett moves up into the play and then runs forward when Carlton break there is no stopping him.
Essendon - Jetta is quick, and he showed how damaging he can be against us. When they turned it on in the 3rd it was Jetta who was involved in nearly all goals by being the linkman out of defence to the forward line. As in Garlett's case it's his judgement and speed that help him realise when there is going to be a turn over/or winning back of possession, and breaks.

I think at least 1 of this type of player is very required. IMO with the current team we have would be highly effectual as well. For example what Rioli adds to the Hawthorn team would be similar for us. At the moment I think Embley is the player who "cheats" for us by playing russian roulette at stoppages. He is good at it but when you make that player a Leroy Jetta or a Garlett I think the damage that can be done would be greater. They don't win games but they can get you more bang for your buck when you get a clear break. Which in todays games where breaking is hard to do because of zones, every time you get a break you need to take full advantage of it.

1) The part I highlighted is a part that should not be forgotten and as such makes these players cream rather than cake. As you quite rightly suggested, these type of players operate best when the team is going well.

2) I have made no secret of the fact that I believe WC need a line breaker to make them a more rounded and hence a more potent team. If you care to read some of my posts a few pages back, I actually suggested that WC should forget about Matera at GC and do their darndest this year to get Rich and spend next year trying to snaffle Harley Bennell.

3) IMO WC's problems yesterday wasnt because they lacked leg speed in the middle (although having extra speed wouldnt have done any harm), it was because their setup didnt work and Collingwood got too much easy ball around contests, had an open fwd line in which to work and effectively shut down WC fwd line and delivery into such fwd line.

4) We all have opinions and mine is unshakeable that Rich would be of benefit to WC. Whilst acknowledging he isnt the fstest on 2 legs, the simple fact remains that his kicking skills outweigh his pace issues and anybody who can ram a ball down a leading fwds throat from 60m is a weapon to have. I havent seen enough or O'Meara to do an accurate comparison but I disagree with the belief that Priddis and Rich should not play in the same team together.

 

[BOND 007]

Good post overall but I have issue with one thing.

Those two points you mentioned are fixable. It shouldn't be that hard to make tactical adjustments in game, good coaches do it routinely. The frustrating thing is, we did that for a brief period with Lynch, early in the 2nd but didn't see it again after that.

Eventually, we will be forced to adjust or face losing winnable games. The coaching staff has failed on this same issue twice, both times failing to adjust after half time, both strategic failings impacting heavily on the result.

It's a weakness and Mick exploited it to full effect. It's only a matter of time before other coaches do too.

1) Worsfold is an acknowledged poor game day tactical coach and has been from day dot - are you expecting him to change that.

2) Collingwood made it their goal to attack WC's strength which has been their ability to win contested beall and buy time to deliver it accurately into the fwd line.

3) Previous teams have not the quality of defensive players as has Collingwood and whose output probably exceeds the sum of their parts. The inablity of LeCras and Darling to have an impact and the use of Lynch as a lead up fwd into the centre of the ground meant Kennedy was the sole threat up fwd which removed from WC one of their major weapons so far this year - a multipronged attack.

 

[September_Glory]

I think at least 1 of this type of player is very required.

We came this close to getting Daniel Wells, so it seems the club would agree with you. He would've been perfect fit.

 

[The Dodger]

1) The part I highlighted is a part that should not be forgotten and as such makes these players cream rather than cake. As you quite rightly suggested, these type of players operate best when the team is going well.

2) I have made no secret of the fact that I believe WC need a line breaker to make them a more rounded and hence a more potent team. If you care to read some of my posts a few pages back, I actually suggested that WC should forget about Matera at GC and do their darndest this year to get Rich and spend next year trying to snaffle Harley Bennell.

3) IMO WC's problems yesterday wasnt because they lacked leg speed in the middle (although having extra speed wouldnt have done any harm), it was because their setup didnt work and Collingwood got too much easy ball around contests, had an open fwd line in which to work and effectively shut down WC fwd line and delivery into such fwd line.

4) We all have opinions and mine is unshakeable that Rich would be of benefit to WC. Whilst acknowledging he isnt the fstest on 2 legs, the simple fact remains that his kicking skills outweigh his pace issues and anybody who can ram a ball down a leading fwds throat from 60m is a weapon to have. I havent seen enough or O'Meara to do an accurate comparison but I disagree with the belief that Priddis and Rich should not play in the same team together.

Yep good points.
Would love Rich as well as Bennell, that would be some icing on that midfield.
Yesterday was very frustrating to see Daisy at a stoppage without an opponent.

 

[SS_Fury]

thankgod we got Gaff and not Wells...

re: the pie game, i dont know how maxwell didnt get dileberate when he kicked a goal (for us, point for him).

 

[SS_Fury]

Yep good points.
Would love Rich as well as Bennell, that would be some icing on that midfield.
Yesterday was very frustrating to see Daisy at a stoppage without an opponent.

to be fair though, i think thomas just had one of those days, where nothing could stop him. Goals from all angles, marks over nic nat. He plays well most weeks obviously, but it hurts when he is burying banana kicks from the boundary line which isnt the norm.

 

[September_Glory]

1) Worsfold is an acknowledged poor game day tactical coach and has been from day dot - are you expecting him to change that.

2) Collingwood made it their goal to attack WC's strength which has been their ability to win contested beall and buy time to deliver it accurately into the fwd line.

3) Previous teams have not the quality of defensive players as has Collingwood and whose output probably exceeds the sum of their parts. The inablity of LeCras and Darling to have an impact and the use of Lynch as a lead up fwd into the centre of the ground meant Kennedy was the sole threat up fwd which removed from WC one of their major weapons so far this year - a multipronged attack.

1) No, I expect him to improve. To practice what he preaches and learn from his mistakes.

2) No one is arguing that Collingwood were way more physical around the contested ball. What did you see to make that "buying time" comment?

3) So Plan A didn't work. Where is Plan B and Surprise Plan C?

I can acknowledge that even with the greatest planning, we couldn't have beaten an on-song Collingwood. But the problem is we didn't exhibit any adjustments at all. It kind of felt like tactically, strategically we had blown our load by half time while Mick was moving onto Phase 3.

 

[no1bankteller]

1) No, I expect him to improve. To practice what he preaches and learn from his mistakes.

2) No one is arguing that Collingwood were way more physical around the contested ball. What did you see to make that "buying time" comment?

3) So Plan A didn't work. Where is Plan B and Surprise Plan C?

I can acknowledge that even with the greatest planning, we couldn't have beaten an on-song Collingwood. But the problem is we didn't exhibit any adjustments at all. It kind of felt like tactically, strategically we had blown our load by half time while Mick was moving onto Phase 3.

One adjustment I would have liked, and I said this to the mate of mine during the game, is to let Darling play as a loose man in the backline for a quarter and see how that goes (both teams were playing a loose man in defence and having Darling's composure and skill may have helped).

 

[The Dodger]

to be fair though, i think thomas just had one of those days, where nothing could stop him. Goals from all angles, marks over nic nat. He plays well most weeks obviously, but it hurts when he is burying banana kicks from the boundary line which isnt the norm.

Yeah it seems like he is having one of those years.
Still would have liked someone to be lining up alongside him at stoppages. We have ASelwood, SSelwood & McGinnity in the team, yet he was by himself at quite a few stoppages, frustrating.

 

[BOND 007]

1) No, I expect him to improve. To practice what he preaches and learn from his mistakes.

2) No one is arguing that Collingwood were way more physical around the contested ball. What did you see to make that "buying time" comment?

3) So Plan A didn't work. Where is Plan B and Surprise Plan C?

I can acknowledge that even with the greatest planning, we couldn't have beaten an on-song Collingwood. But the problem is we didn't exhibit any adjustments at all. It kind of felt like tactically, strategically we had blown our load by half time while Mick was moving onto Phase 3.

1) Worsfold is recognized as a coach who has total belief that his game plan (and therefore by reason of deduction - the players) to win games of football. Even renowned commentators have stated this year that he has changed his game style to one of a press from the one-on-one style that he played up until 2011. Are you imagining a coach that took so long to change an outdated plan was actually able to change one midgame ? Thomas ws cutting them to shreds but did he go hard tag on him - no.

2) Someone mentioned doing something like moving Darling to the backline. That would have been a wonderful move and at least shown some imagination on behalf of the coaching staff. It seems that most teams now have a basic structure from which slight adjustments can be made should the need arise. The only adjustment I see at WC is the move of Lecras from a HFF to an onballer.

3) By "buying time" I meant blocking to allow for Thomas and Swan and Pendlebury to win the ball. These 3 must have had close on 30 possessions between them before 1/4 time mostly around contests DESPITE having taggers like the Selwoods on them. Go back and have a look at stop plays and you will see they read Cox's ruck knocks (who also had a poor game as he didnt change anything) so well and were given a free passage into the contest as they used bigger bodies to buy space for one of the three. In fact they did it so well they almost took it in turns to be the extractor - it was like childs play for them.

 

[Galileo9]

1) Worsfold is recognized as a coach who has total belief that his game plan (and therefore by reason of deduction - the players) to win games of football. Even renowned commentators have stated this year that he has changed his game style to one of a press from the one-on-one style that he played up until 2011. Are you imagining a coach that took so long to change an outdated plan was actually able to change one midgame ? Thomas ws cutting them to shreds but did he go hard tag on him - no.

2) Someone mentioned doing something like moving Darling to the backline. That would have been a wonderful move and at least shown some imagination on behalf of the coaching staff. It seems that most teams now have a basic structure from which slight adjustments can be made should the need arise. The only adjustment I see at WC is the move of Lecras from a HFF to an onballer.

3) By "buying time" I meant blocking to allow for Thomas and Swan and Pendlebury to win the ball. These 3 must have had close on 30 possessions between them before 1/4 time mostly around contests DESPITE having taggers like the Selwoods on them. Go back and have a look at stop plays and you will see they read Cox's ruck knocks (who also had a poor game as he didnt change anything) so well and were given a free passage into the contest as they used bigger bodies to buy space for one of the three. In fact they did it so well they almost took it in turns to be the extractor - it was like childs play for them.

i think you are being harsh. we got beaten. nothing looks good when you are beaten. we are 6th or 7th at the moment, we cant expect to have everything in place immediately and do everything right immediately.

as for change of gameplan, most sides barely have a press!! we tried executing it last year, just not that well. the fact that commentators care this year doesnt mean change only happened during this preseason. commentators are simply wrong in this regard. i think both burns and worsfold have said so this year. i think a few players aswell. so someone is lying and i cant see why the entire club would lie about it.

i am not even going to comment on darling to backline. heck why not try kennedy in backline. hey its "doing something". pity it makes no sense. we got killed at ground level. no idea what darling could have done. our issues werent the bigger blokes.

 

[ytpme]

i think you are being harsh. we got beaten. nothing looks good when you are beaten. we are 6th or 7th at the moment, we cant expect to have everything in place immediately and do everything right immediately.

as for change of gameplan, most sides barely have a press!! we tried executing it last year, just not that well. the fact that commentators care this year doesnt mean change only happened during this preseason. commentators are simply wrong in this regard. i think both burns and worsfold have said so this year. i think a few players aswell. so someone is lying and i cant see why the entire club would lie about it.

i am not even going to comment on darling to backline. heck why not try kennedy in backline. hey its "doing something". pity it makes no sense. we got killed at ground level. no idea what darling could have done. our issues werent the bigger blokes.

Capital post Sir, capital......oh wait.......

 

[ziad]

i think you are being harsh. we got beaten. nothing looks good when you are beaten. we are 6th or 7th at the moment, we cant expect to have everything in place immediately and do everything right immediately.

as for change of gameplan, most sides barely have a press!! we tried executing it last year, just not that well. the fact that commentators care this year doesnt mean change only happened during this preseason. commentators are simply wrong in this regard. i think both burns and worsfold have said so this year. i think a few players aswell. so someone is lying and i cant see why the entire club would lie about it.

i am not even going to comment on darling to backline. heck why not try kennedy in backline. hey its "doing something". pity it makes no sense. we got killed at ground level. no idea what darling could have done. our issues werent the bigger blokes.

good words,

When playes can not hold up the game plan you are being beaten. Plan B, C and D dont matter the players are beaten. Great learning experience - just great for players who will be better next time

 

[September_Glory]

One adjustment I would have liked, and I said this to the mate of mine during the game, is to let Darling play as a loose man in the backline for a quarter and see how that goes (both teams were playing a loose man in defence and having Darling's composure and skill may have helped).

Why the hell not right? There was a 10 goal margin at 3 quarter time, there was nothing to lose. We're still going in there with Cox, Priddis and Kerr gaining meaningless possessions, trying to pad a 10 goal loss into an eight goal loss.

Why wouldn't you want to see what Ash Smith looks like up on the wing for a whole quarter? Or throw Masten, Shuey and Scooter (or whatever untested guy) in the center for extended periods?

Maybe you stumble onto something special. At the very least you conserve some of your main movers for the next game and you learn a little bit more about your list.

It's a no-brainer.

 

[Prem87]

Paul Connors

"He hoped Rich and Matthew Leuenberger would stay at Brisbane, but said the final year of the club's payout to sacked forward Brendan Fevola meant the club's salary cap was tight."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...t-at-callan-ward/story-e6frf9jf-1226071330808

 

[September_Glory]

Paul Connors

"He hoped Rich and Matthew Leuenberger would stay at Brisbane, but said the final year of the club's payout to sacked forward Brendan Fevola meant the club's salary cap was tight."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...t-at-callan-ward/story-e6frf9jf-1226071330808

Pretty interesting read.

Subtlety is not one of Connors strong suits I see.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Would love to see it happen, but doubt it will.

Brisbane will have more money to play with by the end of the season and he will be their prime concern to sign up.

 

[worsfold]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/new-deal-to-keep-rich-in-lions-den/story-fn6ck6f9-1226065935898

Contract negotiations currently in play

lets just go after Omeara

 

[Obeanie1]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/new-deal-to-keep-rich-in-lions-den/story-fn6ck6f9-1226065935898

Contract negotiations currently in play

lets just go after Omeara

Agree, by the time O'Meara is 20 Kerr will be 31 and Priddis 29>30 and we will need some class to come in.

Eagles almost always look to the draft to build its side and Gaff, Shuey and an O'Meara will give us that 'next generation' class in the guts.

 

[Patron]

Yer im not too fussed, Omeara, matera and bennell are all better options for mine.