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CHRIS Hyde has managed only 89 of a possible 239 minutes on the ground in Richmond's opening two matches and would relish more game time.
But the young Tiger is realistic enough to know he must become more consistent to warrant more opportunities to display his wares.
"I don't think I would be human if I said I didn't want to play," Hyde, 21, said this week.
"I've just got to show the coaches that I'm worthy and can do the job."
Hyde's efforts have mirrored the Tigers' performances in the opening two matches.
In the Round 1 triumph against Collingwood at the MCG he collected 12 possessions, seven marks and three tackles in only 38 minutes on the ground.
Hyde was given more game time (51 minutes) in Round 2 against Melbourne last weekend, but managed only nine possessions and three marks as Richmond was thrashed by the fired-up Demons.
The match was memorable for the blond tagger/midfielder for at least one reason -- he booted his first goal at AFL level.
But like many at Tigerland, the 184cm, 84kg left-footer was at a loss to explain, if you'll pardon the pun, Richmond's Jekyll and Hyde performances in the first two rounds.
"I think Melbourne came out and they were on their game," Hyde said.
"We might have been down 3 per cent.
"As a group we believe in where we're going. We're going to be up and down during the year, but the right method is in place."
Richmond complete its preparation for tomorrow's game against St Kilda with a training session at Punt Rd Oval today.
Hyde is confident the 10-day break between games will help the Tigers.
"We're professional footballers and we'll just train an extra day before we play," he said.
"You don't even really notice that it's a 10-day break. It will give some guys with minor injuries a few extra days to come up."
The Tigers were feeling low after last weekend's insipid display against Melbourne, but Hyde said the mood at training this week had been positive.
The 59-point defeat could provide a wake-up call for the Tigers as they face the in-form Saints at Telstra Dome.
Coach Danny Frawley, who criticised the Tigers' intensity after the loss to the Demons, has been encouraging his charges on the track.
"He's supported the players," Hyde said.
"Last week we were disappointing and this week we hope to make amends.
"We're trying to put our best foot forward every time we step out. We've got to put our heads down and backsides up because we haven't achieved anything yet."
Hyde hails from Barooga on the Victoria-NSW border and is a product of the successful Murray Bushrangers side in the TAC under-18s competition.
He loves getting home to the country, but has settled well in Melbourne. Outside footy, he is doing a university course in park management.
Tomorrow's match will be Hyde's 11th senior game since making his debut against Carlton in Round 14, 2002. He played the following round against Brisbane before being dropped, playing out 2002 in the VFL.
Last year he managed only six matches and was named as an emergency on nine occasions. His best performance was in the Tigers' Round 21 loss to Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome.
Hyde has played most of his career as a tagger and around the midfield, but is prepared to play in any position to get a game.
"I suppose I'm trying to string a few together, hopefully grow in confidence and step up," Hyde said.
"You've got to do your job each week, otherwise you'll lose your spot.
"I want to fit in where I can and play my role. I've just got to do what's best for the team.
"All I can do is concentrate on doing the job for the team, regardless of whether I play three or four quarters."
The Tigers' season has been disrupted by off-field woes, but Hyde maintains the turmoil within the board has not had an impact on the playing group.
"If we start to worry about things we can't control, we're in trouble," Hyde said.
"All we are worrying about is how we prepare for games and how we're playing.
"There are others at the club who can deal with those problems."
St Kilda defeated Richmond in the Wizard Cup in February, so the Tigers know what to expect tomorrow.
"St Kilda are a quality side and they are the team to beat at the moment," Hyde said.
"They are playing some good footy and have a good mix of young and old players."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,9240709%5E19742,00.html
But the young Tiger is realistic enough to know he must become more consistent to warrant more opportunities to display his wares.
"I don't think I would be human if I said I didn't want to play," Hyde, 21, said this week.
"I've just got to show the coaches that I'm worthy and can do the job."
Hyde's efforts have mirrored the Tigers' performances in the opening two matches.
In the Round 1 triumph against Collingwood at the MCG he collected 12 possessions, seven marks and three tackles in only 38 minutes on the ground.
Hyde was given more game time (51 minutes) in Round 2 against Melbourne last weekend, but managed only nine possessions and three marks as Richmond was thrashed by the fired-up Demons.
The match was memorable for the blond tagger/midfielder for at least one reason -- he booted his first goal at AFL level.
But like many at Tigerland, the 184cm, 84kg left-footer was at a loss to explain, if you'll pardon the pun, Richmond's Jekyll and Hyde performances in the first two rounds.
"I think Melbourne came out and they were on their game," Hyde said.
"We might have been down 3 per cent.
"As a group we believe in where we're going. We're going to be up and down during the year, but the right method is in place."
Richmond complete its preparation for tomorrow's game against St Kilda with a training session at Punt Rd Oval today.
Hyde is confident the 10-day break between games will help the Tigers.
"We're professional footballers and we'll just train an extra day before we play," he said.
"You don't even really notice that it's a 10-day break. It will give some guys with minor injuries a few extra days to come up."
The Tigers were feeling low after last weekend's insipid display against Melbourne, but Hyde said the mood at training this week had been positive.
The 59-point defeat could provide a wake-up call for the Tigers as they face the in-form Saints at Telstra Dome.
Coach Danny Frawley, who criticised the Tigers' intensity after the loss to the Demons, has been encouraging his charges on the track.
"He's supported the players," Hyde said.
"Last week we were disappointing and this week we hope to make amends.
"We're trying to put our best foot forward every time we step out. We've got to put our heads down and backsides up because we haven't achieved anything yet."
Hyde hails from Barooga on the Victoria-NSW border and is a product of the successful Murray Bushrangers side in the TAC under-18s competition.
He loves getting home to the country, but has settled well in Melbourne. Outside footy, he is doing a university course in park management.
Tomorrow's match will be Hyde's 11th senior game since making his debut against Carlton in Round 14, 2002. He played the following round against Brisbane before being dropped, playing out 2002 in the VFL.
Last year he managed only six matches and was named as an emergency on nine occasions. His best performance was in the Tigers' Round 21 loss to Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome.
Hyde has played most of his career as a tagger and around the midfield, but is prepared to play in any position to get a game.
"I suppose I'm trying to string a few together, hopefully grow in confidence and step up," Hyde said.
"You've got to do your job each week, otherwise you'll lose your spot.
"I want to fit in where I can and play my role. I've just got to do what's best for the team.
"All I can do is concentrate on doing the job for the team, regardless of whether I play three or four quarters."
The Tigers' season has been disrupted by off-field woes, but Hyde maintains the turmoil within the board has not had an impact on the playing group.
"If we start to worry about things we can't control, we're in trouble," Hyde said.
"All we are worrying about is how we prepare for games and how we're playing.
"There are others at the club who can deal with those problems."
St Kilda defeated Richmond in the Wizard Cup in February, so the Tigers know what to expect tomorrow.
"St Kilda are a quality side and they are the team to beat at the moment," Hyde said.
"They are playing some good footy and have a good mix of young and old players."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,9240709%5E19742,00.html

