- Joined
- Dec 8, 2003
- Posts
- 7,301
- Reaction score
- 13,056
- AFL Club
- Richmond
THERE was a moment of apprehension, but Matthew Richardson did enough at training yesterday to ensure his frustrating wait in the stands is over.
As the Tigers adopt a siege mentality for their Mother's Day clash in Sydney tomorrow, the return of their key forward will help their quest to build on last week's one-point win over the embattled Hawks.
But the Tigers may be without midfielder Tim Fleming, who missed training with a sore calf.
Fleming will have a fitness test this morning before a final decision is made on whether he takes the afternoon flight.
Richardson has not played since Round 3 because of a hamstring strain, but completed yesterday's hour-long session at Punt Rd.
The Tiger faithful had reason for concern when he grabbed at his left hamstring after fumbling a mark on a lead and bending over to pick up the ball.
But he continued to complete all drills, including high-leaping overhead marking and simulated match practice.
He also spent a few minutes kicking for goal after training with assistant coach Darren Crocker, suggesting he will line up at the SCG against the suddenly shaky Swans.
Coach Danny Frawley said Richardson would be particularly vital on the small Sydney ground, where a quick kick-out of the centre often lands on the full-forward line.
The Tigers bombed the ball into their attacking 50 on 17 occasions in the last quarter against the Hawks last week but weren't rewarded on the scoreboard.
But with Richardson returning along with ruckman-forward Greg Stafford from a three-week suspension, the 2-4 Tigers will have plenty of marking options.
"Hopefully we can get some quality ball down to those guys, they are classy players," Frawley said before training.
"We want to start to build on something. That's super important.
"We gained some momentum last week. The challenge for us as a team is to emulate our siege mentality from last week and build on that."
Midfielder Joel Bowden and defender Ty Zantuck, who were dropped after a dismal showing against Adelaide a fortnight ago, were last night named as emergencies, with Ben Marsh and David Rodan the only omissions from a winning team.
Frawley dismissed any suggestions the pressure would ease across the border.
"I don't know too many venues that there isn't too much pressure," he said. "If you find one, let me know."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,9498398%5E20322,00.html
As the Tigers adopt a siege mentality for their Mother's Day clash in Sydney tomorrow, the return of their key forward will help their quest to build on last week's one-point win over the embattled Hawks.
But the Tigers may be without midfielder Tim Fleming, who missed training with a sore calf.
Fleming will have a fitness test this morning before a final decision is made on whether he takes the afternoon flight.
Richardson has not played since Round 3 because of a hamstring strain, but completed yesterday's hour-long session at Punt Rd.
The Tiger faithful had reason for concern when he grabbed at his left hamstring after fumbling a mark on a lead and bending over to pick up the ball.
But he continued to complete all drills, including high-leaping overhead marking and simulated match practice.
He also spent a few minutes kicking for goal after training with assistant coach Darren Crocker, suggesting he will line up at the SCG against the suddenly shaky Swans.
Coach Danny Frawley said Richardson would be particularly vital on the small Sydney ground, where a quick kick-out of the centre often lands on the full-forward line.
The Tigers bombed the ball into their attacking 50 on 17 occasions in the last quarter against the Hawks last week but weren't rewarded on the scoreboard.
But with Richardson returning along with ruckman-forward Greg Stafford from a three-week suspension, the 2-4 Tigers will have plenty of marking options.
"Hopefully we can get some quality ball down to those guys, they are classy players," Frawley said before training.
"We want to start to build on something. That's super important.
"We gained some momentum last week. The challenge for us as a team is to emulate our siege mentality from last week and build on that."
Midfielder Joel Bowden and defender Ty Zantuck, who were dropped after a dismal showing against Adelaide a fortnight ago, were last night named as emergencies, with Ben Marsh and David Rodan the only omissions from a winning team.
Frawley dismissed any suggestions the pressure would ease across the border.
"I don't know too many venues that there isn't too much pressure," he said. "If you find one, let me know."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,9498398%5E20322,00.html
