How did we play?

[kretchy]

Didn't get to see the game. But looking at the scores and seeing some brief highlights (conditions looked atrocious) it looked like a good win on paper.

What were the positives? Who played well? Any Injuries?

 

[Foxtrot]

Here's my 10 cents from my cosy armchair in Bathurst. You guys cold today?


Positives

Considering the conditions I thought skills wise we weren't too bad, but I'd rest easier seeing us handle it cleanly on a dry day.

Joel Bowden kicked 2 straight and generally disposed of the ball well (racked up 30 touches)

Wayne Campbell close to bog in his 250th. Terry Wallace giving him wraps all game sounded funny.

Kane Johnson steady, reliable and not injured.

Tim Fleming our brand new tough guy

We almost clocked up 100 points in difficult conditions

We played 4 quarters and didn't take the foot off at any time.

Attack on the footy and man was great

Negatives

Our use of the ball before the rain came still looked a bit shakey. I'm hoping it's a case of this "clicking" soon rather than an across the board deficiency.

How much of the win was due to Dockers "away" syndrome? We played pretty good wet weather footy today but it had to have helped having an opposition used to dry conditions.

We're still a fair way away from the Ports and Lions of the comp.

Fleming and Stafford could come under video scrutiny though only Fleming should have cause for concern.

Injuries

None I think. Good news.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Richmond played alright, wet conditions suited them.

Positives

- Richmonds attack on the football. They went in hard. Johnson, Cogs, Zanners, The Hotel all went in hard inparticular.

- Joel Bowden. The man is a star. 35 possessions in the end from memory.

- The conditions suited us, yes, but the skills like heading for the boundary line 35 metres long was impressive.

- Richmond like it rugged.

- Fleming looks great.

Negatives

- Although Rodan played a great game of footy the guy still has a way to go. Not a negative though just my thoughts.

- We still got a way to go to get in the eight even.

Injuries

Blumfield, Hip. I think. No news yet sorry.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Originally posted by rfctigerarmy
Richmond played alright, wet conditions suited them.

...

Injuries

Blumfield, Hip. I think. No news yet sorry.

Sorry, that probably isnt right, my Dad told me when he was listening to the radio.

 

[CJH]

All up, we did as well as we possibly could, given all the circumstances.

Freo had nearly their best team on the park, with only Polak as a possible addition. On the other hand, we were missing 3 critical KPP's in Richo, Otto and Holland.

Also, we were in a near no-win situation. Win and it would be dismissed as Freo's poor away record rather than our good play that caused the result. Lose and the world would have fallen in on our heads.

All we really could do was post a comprehensive win - and that was as comprehensive as it get's given the circumstances. A 48 point win which more than doubled the oppositions was all we could ask for.

Last year we struggled to reach 100 points in a game - yesterday we manged 94 points when 50 - 60 would have been acceptable. All without any semblance of a normal forward line.

The biggest positive to come out of the game was our midfield domination, led mainly through Campbell, Coughlan and Bowden ( YES, BOWDEN!!! . This was well supported across the board by most players, especially Rodan who was dangerous near goal.

A telling point was made by Sam Newman on MMM. He commented that it took the atrocious conditions to force us to a game plan that we play best - a no - nonsense, direct style. Once we start farting around with the ball, we get into trouble.

Negatives are few, but I am thinking that it must be coming to the end of the line for Clinton King and have been dissapointed in the efforts of Blumfield. Both surely are looking at spells at Coburg!

Matthew Rogers kicking was a disappointment. Sure some leeway should be given for the poor conditions, but even when it is wet, when kicking long into the forward line, at least kick it to a pack where the ball can be brought to ground. 3 - 4 times, he picked out a Freo defender with no-one around him.

 

[Dean3]

CJH - Parker and McPharlin would be walk up starts in Freo's side - two fairly important omissions, as well as Polak. Certainly not as important as Holland, Otto and Richo, but you couldn't say Freo were full strength.

A great win though - nice to see us play 4 quarters and bury a side. Hasn't happened for a while. Agree that Bowden was triffic yesterday, but I'm loving watching Coughlan. He's really taking it by the scruff of the neck so far.

 

[wagstaff]

I was at the game and was pretty satisfied with the result. Certainly, the oppositon was very sub-standard but Richmond under Frawley seems to develop a great sense of self-belief from wins against weak opposition (e.g. 2001) and lead to wins against better quality teams.

The biggest positive for me was the form of Gaspar - from the pre-season match he looked a completely different player from the bedraggled person chasing Barry Halls' backside in Round 22 last year. He's back to the form that made him such valued player in 2001.

Every time he's in a contest I am very confident he'll win out. Andrew Kellaway is not far behind in that aspect.

Rodan has advanced as a player this season which is pleasing - I had a fear that he may suffer from second-year blues like Krakouer did last season but he has clearly worked at his game and has prospered so far. After his effort yesterday, the decision to have him tag Leon Davis in Round 1 seems even more of an error.

Like CJH, my main concerns would be over Blumfield and King. Blumfield just hasn't been able to get into any game he's played this season although he was trying to yesterday and King just seems a waste of space in the side. His disposal is dreadful, his pace is lacking and he isn't even much good at the in-and-under work that he was supposedly in the side for.

 

[rioli17]

Originally posted by Dean3
CJH - Parker and McPharlin would be walk up starts in Freo's side - two fairly important omissions, as well as Polak. Certainly not as important as Holland, Otto and Richo, but you couldn't say Freo were full strength.

all due respects but your comparing a couple of decorated All Australians to a pair of no name Freo players ....anyhow, as the conditions turned out the KPP would have had little influence

 

[rioli17]

Originally posted by wagstaff
[.

The biggest positive for me was the form of Gaspar - from the pre-season match he looked a completely different player from the bedraggled person chasing Barry Halls' backside in Round 22 last year. He's back to the form that made him such valued player in 2001.

Good call , Gas 's form and K2 along with a vastly improved midfield has made a massive difference , the stat I like is the number of scoring opportunities we have racked up in the first 3 rounds ...27, 31, 25.....If we can maintain that we will win alot of games of footy

DS


Like CJH, my main concerns would be over Blumfield and King. Blumfield just hasn't been able to get into any game he's played this season although he was trying to yesterday

Be mindful that Blumfield is well behind the group in terms of preparation...didnt play a prac match until fortnight before season.....Zantuck didnt play any...wouldnt expect to start hitting straps for another week or two..