Matthew Richardson

[_RT_]

Let me make this clear from the get go. This is not about Richo being sacked, traded or delisted, this is merely stating why I believe we will not get anywhere near the finals or a premiership with Richo still the main focus of our forward line.

Well this may well cause some up roar but I believe that Richmond will not get any better as long as Richo remains at Punt Rd. Some of you wont like it but it is the only way the club as a whole is going to climb from the bottom 8 into being a Premiership contender.

Richmond have young talented key forwards in the wings(Jay Schulz, Jack Reowoldt, Cleve Hughes) but they will not get the opportunity to reach their full potential while Richo is such a commanding presence in the side. Yesterday I watched a forward line that contained Richo, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Schulz. There were countless times when they would be leading to the same spot or flying for the ball together, which while it shows desperation to get the ball it also allows the opposition to to defend against us much easier.

Now don't get this wrong it is not taking a pot shot at the big fella as he has been a champion of the RFC for the past 15 odd years but in that time we have only played finals on 2 occassions despite having one of the best key forwards in the AFL in Richo. (Some will disagree but the figures don't lie) The issue here is Terry Wallace made a couple of tough decisions for the betterment of the team when he cut Andrew Kellaway and Darren Gaspar because it was time to let the younger kids take their spots. Well Terry that time is rapidly approaching with Richo and as much as you want him to play the Lynch role from the successfull Lions sides earlier this decade I just don't think it is going to work with Richo.

Other clubs have bitten the bullet when it come making a tough decision on their best key forwards being moved on. The Pies moved out Sav when it was clear that he had done all he could at Collingwood, Hawthorn traded Thompson again at a time when it was believed he could not do any more for the development of the Hawks list ( I am also aware of the depression issues as another reason he wanted out).

The sad fact is for Richmond to improve their side going forward they are going to have to take some serious pain with the removal of Richo before is gets any better than the odd 9th placed finish with hopes of finally making it to the big show only to find reality when we once more return back to being a bottom of the table side.

Yes this is the same thread I have posted on the main board however I also realise that some of you do not venture onto the main board so I thought I would open the discussion down here on our own board.

 

[Riichoo(12)]

Let me make this clear from the get go. This is not about Richo being sacked, traded or delisted, this is merely stating why I believe we will not get anywhere near the finals or a premiership with Richo still the main focus of our forward line.

Well this may well cause some up roar but I believe that Richmond will not get any better as long as Richo remains at Punt Rd. Some of you wont like it but it is the only way the club as a whole is going to climb from the bottom 8 into being a Premiership contender.

Richmond have young talented key forwards in the wings(Jay Schulz, Jack Reowoldt, Cleve Hughes) but they will not get the opportunity to reach their full potential while Richo is such a commanding presence in the side. Yesterday I watched a forward line that contained Richo, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Schulz. There were countless times when they would be leading to the same spot or flying for the ball together, which while it shows desperation to get the ball it also allows the opposition to to defend against us much easier.

Now don't get this wrong it is not taking a pot shot at the big fella as he has been a champion of the RFC for the past 15 odd years but in that time we have only played finals on 2 occassions despite having one of the best key forwards in the AFL in Richo. (Some will disagree but the figures don't lie) The issue here is Terry Wallace made a couple of tough decisions for the betterment of the team when he cut Andrew Kellaway and Darren Gaspar because it was time to let the younger kids take their spots. Well Terry that time is rapidly approaching with Richo and as much as you want him to play the Lynch role from the successfull Lions sides earlier this decade I just don't think it is going to work with Richo.

Other clubs have bitten the bullet when it come making a tough decision on their best key forwards being moved on. The Pies moved out Sav when it was clear that he had done all he could at Collingwood, Hawthorn traded Thompson again at a time when it was believed he could not do any more for the development of the Hawks list ( I am also aware of the depression issues as another reason he wanted out).

The sad fact is for Richmond to improve their side going forward they are going to have to take some serious pain with the removal of Richo before is gets any better than the odd 9th placed finish with hopes of finally making it to the big show only to find reality when we once more return back to being a bottom of the table side.

Yes this is the same thread I have posted on the main board however I also realise that some of you do not venture onto the main board so I thought I would open the discussion down here on our own board.

This is not even worth responding to.

 

[Paddles]

Let me make this clear from the get go. This is not about Richo being sacked, traded or delisted, this is merely stating why I believe we will not get anywhere near the finals or a premiership with Richo still the main focus of our forward line.

Well this may well cause some up roar but I believe that Richmond will not get any better as long as Richo remains at Punt Rd. Some of you wont like it but it is the only way the club as a whole is going to climb from the bottom 8 into being a Premiership contender.

Richmond have young talented key forwards in the wings(Jay Schulz, Jack Reowoldt, Cleve Hughes) but they will not get the opportunity to reach their full potential while Richo is such a commanding presence in the side. Yesterday I watched a forward line that contained Richo, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Schulz. There were countless times when they would be leading to the same spot or flying for the ball together, which while it shows desperation to get the ball it also allows the opposition to to defend against us much easier.

Now don't get this wrong it is not taking a pot shot at the big fella as he has been a champion of the RFC for the past 15 odd years but in that time we have only played finals on 2 occassions despite having one of the best key forwards in the AFL in Richo. (Some will disagree but the figures don't lie) The issue here is Terry Wallace made a couple of tough decisions for the betterment of the team when he cut Andrew Kellaway and Darren Gaspar because it was time to let the younger kids take their spots. Well Terry that time is rapidly approaching with Richo and as much as you want him to play the Lynch role from the successfull Lions sides earlier this decade I just don't think it is going to work with Richo.

Other clubs have bitten the bullet when it come making a tough decision on their best key forwards being moved on. The Pies moved out Sav when it was clear that he had done all he could at Collingwood, Hawthorn traded Thompson again at a time when it was believed he could not do any more for the development of the Hawks list ( I am also aware of the depression issues as another reason he wanted out).

The sad fact is for Richmond to improve their side going forward they are going to have to take some serious pain with the removal of Richo before is gets any better than the odd 9th placed finish with hopes of finally making it to the big show only to find reality when we once more return back to being a bottom of the table side.

Yes this is the same thread I have posted on the main board however I also realise that some of you do not venture onto the main board so I thought I would open the discussion down here on our own board.

I understand yr reasoning but how come it works with some forwards at other clubs? For exampl, Lucas and Lloyd at Bummerland?

 

[_RT_]

This is not even worth responding to.

Yet you did, go figure.

 

[_RT_]

I understand yr reasoning but how come it works with some forwards at other clubs? For exampl, Lucas and Lloyd at Bummerland?

Since 2001 when they finished Runner Up they have slowly slipped back into the pack. Yes they have been finalists but they have not been real contenders, being knocked out in the first second round of finals. It is because opposition sides know that under pressure the Dons are going to look to Lloyd and Lucas to get them through. Look at them in the last few weeks Lucas has kicked 4 twice and yet the Dons got done. Why? IMO it is because the opposition knows where the Dons are going to be looking when it comes to the crunch so they focus on those 2 players.

But is you look at the side near the top of the ladder they have a variety of options that they can turn to during games. Geelong have 4 players with 20 goals + so far this season. Ablett Jr has 19 They stretch opposition backlines so that none of their players are ever in 2-1 battles. The Roos sit 2nd and have 4 players over 20 goals again very hard to double team 1 player in particular as others will hurt you if left unmanned.
Hawthorn sitting 3rd have 3 players with 20+ and is it little wonder that since Boyle got hurt and focus has shifted onto Buddy and Roughead that they have started to struggle to kick winning scores. They have only beat us in the last 3 weeks.

If Richmond were to develop forward line consisting of Jay, Jack and Cleve as 3 tall options along with 2 dangerous mids in Brown & Petts with a midfielder rotating through like Tambling/Edwards/Deledio/Foley who can kick goals as well we suddenly become a lot less predictable to opponents and a lot more dangerous as a side.

 

[richoatthedisco]

Geelong have 4 players with 20 goals + so far this season. Ablett Jr has 19 They stretch opposition backlines so that none of their players are ever in 2-1 battles. The Roos sit 2nd and have 4 players over 20 goals again very hard to double team 1 player in particular as others will hurt you if left unmanned.
Hawthorn sitting 3rd have 3 players with 20+ and is it little wonder that since Boyle got hurt and focus has shifted onto Buddy and Roughead that they have started to struggle to kick winning scores. They have only beat us in the last 3 weeks.

If Richmond were to develop forward line consisting of Jay, Jack and Cleve as 3 tall options along with 2 dangerous mids in Brown & Petts with a midfielder rotating through like Tambling/Edwards/Deledio/Foley who can kick goals as well we suddenly become a lot less predictable to opponents and a lot more dangerous as a side.

If Schulz had played a few more games and/or could kick straight we would have 3 20+ goal kickers. Instead of getting rid of a champion for an unproven kid (hughes) we could try a bit of coaching to teach our players to a)lead to different spots and b)look for different targets.
I reckon a forward line of richo, brown, schulz, petts, riewoldt & the little blokes u mentioned could be pretty potent.

 

[Thursfieldness]

If Schulz had played a few more games and/or could kick straight we would have 3 20+ goal kickers. Instead of getting rid of a champion for an unproven kid (hughes) we could try a bit of coaching to teach our players to a)lead to different spots and b)look for different targets.
I reckon a forward line of richo, brown, schulz, petts, riewoldt & the little blokes u mentioned could be pretty potent.

Try teaching our midfield players to kick it to avantage rather than along the ground to the best contested mark of recent times.

 

[Ah Cheung]

I agree with RT on this. Richo can still be in the side, but in order for the side to move forward and have a forward line with options, Richo will need to be moved to the wing.
Opposition clubs know that we are too richo reliant and have been for years. Our midfield will bomb it to richo and opposition backman will leave their man to help out. Our midfield isn't smart enough to look for the open man and Richo is our 'get out of jail card'. So more often than not, we bomb it long to richo against 3-4 and the ball comes flying back out of the backline again.

Theres nothing to lose from this, we can't go any lower than we have been and the upside has huge potential.
A forward line of jack, hughes and schulz would bode well for the future and they would get more opportunities if Richo wasn't roaming around the fwd 50.

 

[Riichoo(12)]

Yet you did, go figure.

What continues to amaze me is although the great man is and will go down as one of the greatest players not just for the Tigers but in the VFL/AFL people like you find a reason why we should look at moving him on. Why don't you find some other club to support and leave Richmond to people who love their team and their loyal players, and let us enjoy this great player which we are lucky to have.

 

[Bojangles17]

until any of the candidates you care to mention demonstrate an ability to gather more than 5 or 6 lousy possessions or kick a couple of goals a game the Big fella will continue to command the presence he does....the problem doesnt ly with richo ...if we had a raft of others about to carve their name into the games history books , do you think we'd be where we find ourselves right now

 

[I Rock]

I mentioned this sort of thing in another thread, I still think the best outcome if it is possible is to play Richo as a lead up HFF/Wing player. My only concern is how much the big fella has left in the tank.

However judgeing by the way he puts in every week, I'd say a fair bit.

 

[Riichoo(12)]

until any of the candidates you care to mention demonstrate an ability to gather more than 5 or 6 lousy possessions or kick a couple of goals a game the Big fella will continue to command the presence he does....the problem doesnt ly with richo ...if we had a raft of others about to carve their name into the games history books , do you think we'd be where we find ourselves right now

well said.

 

[I Rock]

until any of the candidates you care to mention demonstrate an ability to gather more than 5 or 6 lousy possessions or kick a couple of goals a game the Big fella will continue to command the presence he does....the problem doesnt ly with richo ...if we had a raft of others about to carve their name into the games history books , do you think we'd be where we find ourselves right now

I'm sure they would all get more than 5/6 lousy possessions if the ball was kicked to them and kicked to them well. This is not just a Richo thing but a midfield one as well.

Watch yesterdays game again and look at the extra half a kick penetration the Power used to get into the forward line. Then look at the garbage served up from players like Hyde, Tivendale and co.

 

[Riichoo(12)]

I mentioned this sort of thing in another thread, I still think the best outcome if it is possible is to play Richo as a lead up HFF/Wing player. My only concern is how much the big fella has left in the tank.

However judgeing by the way he puts in every week, I'd say a fair bit.

He's like Rocky Balboa, in that there is something in the basement. He'll be around for a while yet, much to the disappointment to RT and others.

 

[_RT_]

What continues to amaze me is although the great man is and will go down as one of the greatest players not just for the Tigers but in the VFL/AFL people like you find a reason why we should look at moving him on. Why don't you find some other club to support and leave Richmond to people who love their team and their loyal players, and let us enjoy this great player which we are lucky to have.

Perhaps you missed the disclaimer I wrote at the top of the OP, let me refresh it:

Let me make this clear from the get go. This is not about Richo being sacked, traded or delisted, this is merely stating why I believe we will not get anywhere near the finals or a premiership with Richo still the main focus of our forward line.

I still see a place for Richo at the club but not as the main focus of our forward line where we have become not only predictable to ourselves but also the opposition. So before you tell me to piss off and support another club perhaps a little bit of background, I have been supporting Richmond for over 30 years have been there through good times in the 70's and early 80's and have sat there through the bad times. Never once have I left a game we have played no matter how poor the side is performing. Just because I voice an opinion that is not following with the rest of the flock does not mean I am not a passionate Richmond supporter & member.

 

[Ah Cheung]

No ones saying get rid of Richo. It's about placing him in a different position to see if we can get the forward line to have more than one dimension to it and to give hughes and jack more of an opportunity.

 

[itsintheblood]

Yup, let's get rid of the one and only player who's prepared to spill his blood on the field for this football club whilst the rest of the frauds running around in a richmond jumper get off scott free.

 

[richoatthedisco]

So before you tell me to piss off and support another club perhaps a little bit of background, I have been supporting Richmond for over 30 years have been there through good times in the 70's and early 80's and have sat there through the bad times. Never once have I left a game we have played no matter how poor the side is performing. Just because I voice an opinion that is not following with the rest of the flock does not mean I am not a passionate Richmond supporter & member.

Quite right RT, you're entitled to your opinions, no matter how wrong they are.
Seriously though, appreciate the passion. Connolly doesn't know what he's on about.

 

[_RT_]

until any of the candidates you care to mention demonstrate an ability to gather more than 5 or 6 lousy possessions or kick a couple of goals a game the Big fella will continue to command the presence he does....the problem doesnt ly with richo ...if we had a raft of others about to carve their name into the games history books , do you think we'd be where we find ourselves right now

They don't gather more than 5-6 possessions simply because the ball is not kicked to them often enough.

Richo would get the ball kicked to him on average 60% of the time it enters our foward line. So what does the opposition do just sit back and wait for the inevitable kick long to Richo, force a contest and by weight of numbers clear the ball away relatively easily as they did time and again yesterday.

Yet take a look at the WCE game when Richo played up the ground. Schulz had 6 shots at goals and if not for poor conversion could have quite possibly kicked 3-5 on the reigning AA FB that day. Cleve playing on a quality player in Hunter kicked 3 that day playing as a lead up CHF. We lost that game by about 2-3 goals IIRC and yet Richo had bugger all scoreboard impact. Then the following week when they get smacked by the Cats Wallace abandonded that set up and reverted back to the old favourite of Richo being the main target to go to, result is we are a 1 win side with little hope of improving on that as long as the focus remains on Richo.

 

[_RT_]

Just before I go can any of you having a go at me show me where I have said we should get rid of Richo altogether? Please just one of you do it. Otherwise pull your heads in and read what I have said properly.

 

[Riichoo(12)]

I did see your opening, but to be honest I think we are a very ordinary side and Richo Man is the only thing in the past 10 years or so that has given me any value or hope. I know he is a great presence and commands a lot of focus but the other forwards need to work in with him. Anyway let's just enjoy the next few years he has left in him, as when his time is gone it will be sad and we will all wish we had another Richo Man.

cheers

 

[Big Punt]

I think its a cop-out to blame Richo being in the side for our ineptness. Its a failure of the coaching panel that have failed to harness his talent in a way that suits the gameplan.

Surely it can't be that hard to teach forawrds to lead to different areas, for midfielders kicking into the forward line to pick the best option on merit (not on the person leading).

If Richo hasn't been playing to instruction all these years - its still an indictment on the coaching staff.

 

[lids2004roar]

I see what you're saying but when Richo backs down then Riewoldt or Hughes is going to be comanding a presence anyway so Schulz and co should get used to it.

 

[big bruno]

He's like Rocky Balboa, in that there is something in the basement. He'll be around for a while yet, much to the disappointment to RT and others.

Well said mate. I agree 100% Richo will retire like Locket, Dunstill and Ablett.. A true Forward. Nothing wrong with the way he plays and in fact has received dozens of accolades from past and present AFL stars, who know a lot more about him than ANY of us can say.

Let me say, the problem is how the ball is getting delivered to the forwardline. OUr midfiled is crap. Kane Johnson and Tuck do not give clean ball. Also, Last time i looked at our scores, we were flogged. So i think our defence is a bit iffy.

Don't even mention Richo in the same sentence when discussing what is wrong with the club!!!

 

[doover]

Perhaps you missed the disclaimer I wrote at the top of the OP, let me refresh it:

Let me make this clear from the get go. This is not about Richo being sacked, traded or delisted, this is merely stating why I believe we will not get anywhere near the finals or a premiership with Richo still the main focus of our forward line.

I still see a place for Richo at the club but not as the main focus of our forward line where we have become not only predictable to ourselves but also the opposition. So before you tell me to piss off and support another club perhaps a little bit of background, I have been supporting Richmond for over 30 years have been there through good times in the 70's and early 80's and have sat there through the bad times. Never once have I left a game we have played no matter how poor the side is performing. Just because I voice an opinion that is not following with the rest of the flock does not mean I am not a passionate Richmond supporter & member.

Im not about to tell you to p#%#% off but what i will say is it dosent matter who the hell you put in the forward line at the moment the fact is its just not getting there and when it dose its on the ground to the side or over someones head
so my point is if it waz getting to the forwardline richo would have a better chance at getting the ball with hope on his chest and he would then be toweling up any young player we have at the moment so i just dont get it is jay better than richo or anyone eles you have said i think not