Roach 'stoked' by Debut

[Wrenny]

Richmond may have crashed to its third straight defeat at the hands of Geelong at Telstra Dome on Saturday night, but there was one major positive, with son of a gun Tom Roach impressing on debut.

The 18-year-old son of club legend Michael, the star goalkicker of the 1970s and 80s, Roach junior came off the bench halfway through the opening term and was one of his team’s better players, amassing nine kicks, five handballs and two marks.

The youngster only had two days to prepare for his first game, having only been told of his promotion on Thursday night, but with his grandparents and a support crew that he estimated about 60 people, he showed plenty of promise.

“I never like rating myself, for anything like that, and I can’t really tell I suppose, but I seemed to get a little bit of the ball and just run with it, so I did alright I suppose,” Roach said.

“I haven’t really had time to think about it yet, but the intensity of the game steps right up. You’ve just got to be really accountable on your man.”

In his own words ‘stoked’ when he was told of his call-up, Roach admitted he suffered a few jitters before coming on.

“I was stoked, just absolutely pumped up, I couldn’t believe it and it was just great to get a game. This isn’t the ideal thing for your first game, but we’ll work through it,” Roach said.

“It was shocking, I was terrible. I was good today and stuff, it was a long day, but sitting on the bench for the first 15 minutes I was a nervous wreck.”

Roach’s father didn’t burden him with too much advice before the game, other than to encourage him to stick to his strengths.

“He just told me to run, run, run, run. He knows when I play my best footy, or a good game of footy, it’s when I run. When I have a shocker I don’t run.”

Understandably shattered by the result, Roach was already looking forward to an improved effort against the winless Adelaide at Telstra Dome on Friday night.

“It’s a bit disappointing, but hopefully we can come back and get a good win on the board next week,” he said.

“They’ll be coming out pretty hard, but hopefully we’ll come out even harder and get across the line.”

http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=143692

 

[GeeCat]

I was very impressed with Roach's debut game, looked very classy and calm for a first-gamer. Also liked the look of Brent Hartigan, whom I thought was also very good in the match. Two shining lights on a disappointing night.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Originally posted by GeeCat
I was very impressed with Roach's debut game, looked very classy and calm for a first-gamer. Also liked the look of Brent Hartigan, whom I thought was also very good in the match. Two shining lights on a disappointing night.

cheers geecat.good to see the true spirit from a winners side unlike some others from other clubs who take the opposite approach.
btw yes the only thing that kept me from going off my nutt was the performance of krak,roach and hartigan.
congrats to the cats.won it in the 1st qtr when it mattered.

cheers!

 

[froars]

Onya Tommy - great debut.