Was it worth it???

[Bomaz_Magic]

My question is in relation to David Rodans potentially season ending knee injury. Given that we (the bombers) rested many of our key players, deciding to give the younger blokes a run, was it worth it for the Tigers to win by 72 and risk a potential (it actually eventuated) injury to one of its better players in David Rodan. Personally, I'd rather have a Hird, Lloyd, Johnson, Solomon or Rioli (even though Rodan is not in there class) than win a practice match. That said the confidence Richmond gained from the 72 point win would be huge (eve though it wasn't our best 22). So my question is to all you Tiger fans, was it worth the thumping to lose David Rodan?

 

[metallichris]

Even if he didn't play, we still would've thumped Bendigo (lol) by atleast 8 goals. So in hindsight, no it wasn't worth playing him, but it's in the past now and there's nothing we can do except wish him a speedy recovery. He underwent successful surgery today, and will be home by tomorrow.

 

[Crumden]

Practice matches have traditionally been for teams to get some match practice. Leaving your players out sort of defeats the whole purpose of playing them in the first place.

BTW It seems kind of delusional to include Rioli in the same class as Lloyd and Hird. I would have thought Rodan is at least in the class of Rioli. Both have shown glimpses of what they are capable of but haven't yet put it together consistenetly. Rodan at least has better prospects given that he is younger and has less problems with fitness.

 

[Big Punt]

Richmond needs to play close to a full strength side in the practice matches for the following reasons:

• New coach - needs to analyse the main senior players under match conditions
• New game plan - the first 18 are the ones who need to get used to it under match conditions
• Confidence - after last year, team morale and self belief needs to be lifted, we cannot afford to lose practice matches by 10 goals

The risk is what has eventuated with Rodan and Schultz. But we had little other choice IMO.

 

[jezza]

Richmond needs to play close to a full strength side in the practice matches for the following reasons:

• New coach - needs to analyse the main senior players under match conditions
• New game plan - the first 18 are the ones who need to get used to it under match conditions
• Confidence - after last year, team morale and self belief needs to be lifted, we cannot afford to lose practice matches by 10 goals

The risk is what has eventuated with Rodan and Schultz. But we had little other choice IMO.

Spot on, we had so much to gain from playing our senior guys. We would be much worse off if these guys all had to learn to play together under the new plan during the H&A season rather than in the practice matches.

 

[Infamy]

It was just one of those things that happens, you can't just wrap everyone in cotton wool for the entire pre-season as it will just mean you play crap football for the first 4-6 rounds while everyone finds form.
Its unfortunate, but its a team game and its one player

 

[hotdogandsauce]

as terry stated earlier we are going to b going hard at it, if that means injuries so be it....

at the end of the day rotten luck for the little bloke but it allows someone to step up to the plate and have a shot, the more game time we can give some of these guys the better in long run it will b for the club, for we all know the better depth we can have its gotta pay dividends in the long run...

depth is more important than ever as injuries take there toll on clubs, but its the good clubs that r able to cover their losses on the field that will be thereabouts consistently....

 

[Captain_Brown_7]

D-Rod could have done his knee in the 1st Qtr in Round 1, its just part of football. Even though it was only a practise match, i am totally behind the way TW is preparing the guys. They need more time to get used to the gameplan and even though it might only be against limp opposition, it instills confidence, which i might add, we need plently of after last seasons schemozzle.

 

[Darth_Tiger]

if you could predict who to leave out of the side because they will get injured, then you would make a million dollars. who has ever heard of 18 players being left out of a practice match? i certainly havent, in any case if anyone would have been rested it would not have been dave rodan, it would have been richo, sugar, simmo, brown etc etc. was it worth it? or course not, but there is no way to predict it so the point is moot.

 

[Fiesty_Feline]

I agree with using the team's strongest side in the Wizard Cup, even if it does risk a star getting injured.

As pointed out earlier, if not at full fitness, some players struggle to find form until the premiership season has well and truly kicked off. If selectors are going to be that paranoid about saving their match winners, they may as well wait for the July/August period when finals are approaching.

Sadly, we see many gruesome injuries throughout the year, no matter what the importance of the game or current circumstance is. This attitude sends a negative message and proves why in recent years some underrated and below average sides have taken home the pre season honours.

Players should be encouraged to give their best always, despite whether a ladder position is threatened or four points are up for grabs.

 

[sante]

It wasnt TW's fault for playing a side which will be playing most of the season.


BTW, how did it happen?

 

[metallichris]

The 21-year-old forward/midfielder was in a pack of players when he heard his knee pop in the final stages of the match against the Bombers. Rodan's injury soured the Tigers' 72-point triumph.

http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=187812

 

[sante]

Man it ********es me off even more that it happened with like 5 mins to go

 

[Tiger666]

I know it's terrible for young Mr Rodan, but I'm sure even he would find some solace in the fact that at least we beat essington!