Mid Year Report: Richmond

[happy_eagle]

Overall mark: C


Win-loss: 0-10-1 LLLLLLLLLDL

The run home
Round 12 - Melbourne at the MCG
Round 13 - St Kilda at Telstra Dome
Round 14 - Kangaroos at Telstra Dome
Round 15 - Hawthorn at the MCG
Round 16 - Port Adelaide at the MCG
Round 17 - Sydney at the SCG
Round 18 - Geelong at Skilled Stadium
Round 19 - Collingwood at the MCG
Round 20 - West Coast at Subiaco
Round 21 - Essendon at the MCG
Round 22 - St Kilda at the MCG
Ladder position: 16th


Leading possession winner: Nathan Foley – 279 possessions


Leading goalkicker: Matthew Richardson – 26 goals


Season so far
The Tigers find themselves at the bottom of the premiership ladder having failed to post a win so far in 2007 but – the Geelong game aside – they’ve been competitive for long periods of matches without being able to get over the line.
Injuries have played a part, with the big men particularly hit hard, and the youngsters have struggled at times without a core of hardened veterans to fall back on.
Mark Coughlan is missing again after needing a second knee reconstruction, Troy Simmonds has played just four games thanks to ankle problems and Nathan Brown’s leg continues to trouble him.
With finals out of the equation, Terry Wallace made it clear his younger players would be given every opportunity to develop, leading to the retirement of full-back Darren Gaspar.



Best match
It’s debatable whether it was the Tigers’ best game of the season, but their only premiership points came in round 10 when they drew with Brisbane at Telstra Dome.
Joel Bowden and Nathan Foley were among Richmond’s best and Daniel Jackson kept Lion star Simon Black to just 16 possessions, but neither side was able to break the deadlock in the frantic final minutes.


Best goal so far
Chris Newman made a late play for this title with his massive bomb from the centre square against Fremantle in round 11, but Daniel Jackson’s effort from a near-impossible angle against the Bombers at the MCG is the winner.


Best and fairest leader
Nathan Foley has taken the next step to become a consistently productive onballer this season and should enjoy a decent lead in the voting for the Jack Dyer medal.
The 21-year-old is averaging over 25 possessions a game and has become a vital cog in the Tigers’ engine room.
Joel Bowden, Brett Deledio and Graham Polak are also having good years and should be there or thereabouts when the votes are read out.


Surprise packet
Graham Polak had more than a few doubters when he arrived at the club from Fremantle but has won the Tiger faithful over with his excellent work in defence and his ability to relieve in the ruck when required.
Jake King has come off the rookie list to play eight games and has impressed with his superior workrate and attack on the ball.


Coaches’ award (one-percenter player)
King also rates a mention in this category along with Dean Polo and fellow elevated rookie Foley, which says something about the desire of players who have to fight for a spot on the senior list.


Second-half story lines
When will the first win come? The Tigers have been edging ever closer to that elusive victory and should be a much stronger unit with the return of Simmonds and Brown.
When will Nathan Brown return and what impact will he have? Brown’s long-awaited comeback from the ‘hotspot’ near his healed 2005 leg fracture will certainly attract plenty of attention. He made his return for Coburg in the VFL and isn’t far away by all reports, but just how much of an influence he can have remains to be seen.
Can the first and second-year players continue to improve? It’s all about the kids at Punt Road now and most Tiger fans will cop a wooden spoon if they can see the likes of Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt and Cleve Hughes continue to develop and provide hope for the future.

 

[Jisha]

Good post, i would agree with all of that i think

I honestly cant see Richmond losing the Melbourne game, They know what they have to do, and i think right there will be the first win

 

[banana_bus]

if i got 2 marks out of a possible 44 marks (5%) in my exam on tuesday, id be pretty wrapped if i pulled up with a C.

definate F for us so far this season.

 

[Jisha]

if i got 2 marks out of a possible 44 marks (5%) in my exam on tuesday, id be pretty wrapped if i pulled up with a C.

definate F for us so far this season.

That would be a fail for us this season, and although we are wooden spoon at the moment, i wouldnt call it a failed season. It was the season that had to happen for us to be a real contender in years to come, and in that sense, I think a C is a pretty fair score for the youngsters

They havent played awful football (except for 1 or 2 rounds)

 

[Gavin Excell]

C?

with no wins from 11 starts? You guys are real hard taskmasters.

 

[banana_bus]

That would be a fail for us this season, and although we are wooden spoon at the moment, i wouldnt call it a failed season. It was the season that had to happen for us to be a real contender in years to come, and in that sense, I think a C is a pretty fair score for the youngsters

They havent played awful football (except for 1 or 2 rounds)

ok a C is fair for some of the youngsters (edwards, polo, mcguane etc)

but what about the older guys? the coaching staff? everyone on the board? decisions like the sacking of gaspar are absolute shockers. these guys all get a big fat F.

of course the year wont be all bad, well get a number 1 pick etc etc but you cant say that this year deserves a C. a C means average. this is not an average season were having.

 

[banana_bus]

C?

with no wins from 11 starts? You guys are real hard taskmasters.

The guy who made this thread is an eagles supporter.

 

[Jisha]

ok a C is fair for some of the youngsters (edwards, polo, mcguane etc)

but what about the older guys? the coaching staff? everyone on the board? decisions like the sacking of gaspar are absolute shockers. these guys all get a big fat F.

of course the year wont be all bad, well get a number 1 pick etc etc but you cant say that this year deserves a C. a C means average. this is not an average season were having.

I still think its too early to be saying we are going to get the priority pick, i will probably get shot down for saying this, but eh

There is still 11 games to go, and im sure we will win 4 or 5 of these games, and i dont think melbourne will keep up their form.

The older guys are stuggling thats true, but saying this these days a lot of the chances that are made in football are at the opening bounce, in which we have had no real ruckman contesting, which always doesent help anyone on the team, seniors, juniors, coaching staff, it makes it horrendously difficult.

Give them a shot for this second half with some key players back and see what happens before rating the start of the year so badly.

All experiance helps.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

As a club = E.

The group of players that run out each week = C

 

[Punt_Road_Roar]

a big fat F

 

[danzan22]

The guy who made this thread is an eagles supporter.

He got it from the AFL website

Definately a F, They have not won a game so how can they possibly get a C.

 

[Jisha]

He got it from the AFL website

Definately a F, They have not won a game so how can they possibly get a C.

I dont think sometimes its all about who wins the game, especially where richmond are at with development at the moment

 

[wobble001]

I dont think sometimes its all about who wins the game, especially where richmond are at with development at the moment

And I would say a deplorable effort - E

 

[danzan22]

I dont think sometimes its all about who wins the game, especially where richmond are at with development at the moment

Well they came 9th last year with 11 wins, this year they have failed to register 1, i would call that a big failure. They have brought through some good young players but you want to keep a winning cultur at the club. Right now there is no winning cultur which is bad for the development of richmonds young players.

 

[Jisha]

Im not disagreeing with the fact that loses hurt player development, but richmond really have not had an option but to play a B grade young team for the first 11 matches of the year.

But every week i watch these new kids getting better and better, which could be part of losing the nervousness of playing first year football.

Also i can see there has been a lot of change within richmond in the last couple of years, Terry is really trying to push for the future, and as much as 80% of the fans on this board hate him, i think its pretty unselfish on his behalf. There is nothing saying he wont get axed and not get to see any of his work pay off, but im sure the fact that he has been playing the young team, even in the worst situation, he is opening the door and showing the kids that they need to stand up to make a real contest of a game.

Whatever doesent kill you makes you stronger yeah?

Watch the kids get a win and watch their confidence sky rocket.

 

[lookkg386]

C is a pass, and I don't think we have passed so far, a couple of C's against Sydney,West coast,Adelaide,Essendon and Freo. Some Ds against Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane. But the rest are E"S and F's.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

C is a pass, and I don't think we have passed so far, a couple of C's against Sydney,West coast,Adelaide,Essendon and Freo. Some Ds against Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane. But the rest are E"S and F's.

And a "Did Not Arrive" against Geelong.

 

[Madtiger2006]

C is about right. This is a good base for 2008.

 

[PLSC]

Im not disagreeing with the fact that loses hurt player development, but richmond really have not had an option but to play a B grade young team for the first 11 matches of the year.

But every week i watch these new kids getting better and better, which could be part of losing the nervousness of playing first year football.

Also i can see there has been a lot of change within richmond in the last couple of years, Terry is really trying to push for the future, and as much as 80% of the fans on this board hate him, i think its pretty unselfish on his behalf. There is nothing saying he wont get axed and not get to see any of his work pay off, but im sure the fact that he has been playing the young team, even in the worst situation, he is opening the door and showing the kids that they need to stand up to make a real contest of a game.

Whatever doesent kill you makes you stronger yeah?

Watch the kids get a win and watch their confidence sky rocket.

tell that to a paraplegic

 

[krustyman]

seniors can only do so much, the youngsters are holding the side back at the moment. their slow development has thown the club back 5 years and most are bordering on being project players at best. when you dont have too many champions and then throw in a bunch of under 18 quality players it makes it very difficult to win. tigers had done well not to be crushed every game.

 

[polakthetiger]

Right now there is no winning cultur which is bad for the development of richmonds young players.

Well, all the losing your mob did last year doesn't seem to have made this 'losing culture'. Oh yeah..it is only really your experienced players standing up ..thats why.

Our advantage is when our experienced players retire, these kids will be battle hardened. This so called losing culture only stays for a year...if you have ever played footy, a new year, the slate is clean!!

Your kids will be sreaming for Jimmy and Matty to to come to their rescue in the next few years...and all that will be there is a 36 year old Fletcher still running into spaces.

 

[danzan22]

Well, all the losing your mob did last year doesn't seem to have made this 'losing culture'. Oh yeah..it is only really your experienced players standing up ..thats why.

Our experience players are leading the way, yes. They are showing the young players how to win, they provide so much in the development of our younger players.

Our advantage is when our experienced players retire, these kids will be battle hardened. This so called losing culture only stays for a year...if you have ever played footy, a new year, the slate is clean!!

If the tigers are gonna rely on just kids then i dont think they will go much better next year. You need a blend, even hawks had a few experienced players who stood up and won games for the team ala Everitt, Crawf, Croad, Vanders

Your kids will be sreaming for Jimmy and Matty to to come to their rescue in the next few years...and all that will be there is a 36 year old Fletcher still running into spaces.

Why have you turned this into Essendon, this thread was designed to talk about richmonds poor year.

 

[polakthetiger]

Why have you turned this into Essendon, this thread was designed to talk about richmonds poor year.

Because you came here feeling all aloof because you're in the 8 cause you scaped in 3 wins recently that could have easily gone the other way if not for 3 senior players, and our poor year can easily be put down to our best 3 not being there. So take out your best 3 from your team and you are right down with us having a 'poor year'. Or better still, then put ours back in and I might be on your board smugly telling you to worry cause you have a bunch of hacks like Bolton teaching players like Johns how to lose!!

 

[danzan22]

Because you came here feeling all aloof because you're in the 8 cause you scaped in 3 wins recently that could have easily gone the other way if not for 3 senior players, and our poor year can easily be put down to our best 3 not being there. So take out your best 3 from your team and you are right down with us having a 'poor year'. Or better still, then put ours back in and I might be on your board smugly telling you to worry cause you have a bunch of hacks like Bolton teaching players like Johns how to lose!!

I simply stated in my first post that richmonds years has been a failure. It's halfway through the season and they are yet to win a game, how can you call that a pass.

Also Richmonds best 3 is not out of the side, richo and deledio have played the whole season.

 

[Matty Knights]

I simply stated in my first post that richmonds years has been a failure. It's halfway through the season and they are yet to win a game, how can you call that a pass.

Also Richmonds best 3 is not out of the side, richo and deledio have played the whole season.

Brown, Simmonds and Coughlan are in our best 5-10 players.

Stop splitting hairs.