Why I think the Tigers will make the eight this year (16 teams thread below part 2)

[The Dutchman!]

Not a guarantee but a persuasive argument.

The reason that Essendon have been such a force since mid 99 is that they blooded and developed a lot of better than average youngsters. They had no choice due to the prolouged absence of Hird, Lucas and Fletcher (off and on).

As a result, when the 2000 bombers welcomed back those three stars they already had a quality side to just add to.

This is a possibility with the Tiges this year.

I reckon that the injuries in 2000 will be a blessing in disguise for similar reasons for the tigers this year - 1999 and earlier they relied on a couple of midfielders and Richo to be competitive and had no backline whatsoever (give or take Bourke - I don't rate Turner)... this is no longer the case.

I think the midfield and forward set ups are pretty formidable (both top 4 or 5 in the league), the backline far more solid, and they may yet have some sort of depth having blooded the kids last year. AND most importantly, Frawley looks quality to me.

So that's my top tip for 2001 - tigerland to get a fresh roar. But still a fair way to go in chasing down the dons...

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

you have very valid points there dutchy while last year did hurt us and did cost us a place in the finals the loss of kellaway,richo,rogers,king and gapser for a few has its postive sign to it.
players like chaffy,tivendale,biddescombe all stepped up and got the much needed confidence that they needed.
also giving the likes of fiora,mills,vardy and zantuck the taste of afl will hold us in good shape this year.
while yes we do lagg behinh essendon at this stage but so do the other sides.if we look at it realisticly the only way essendon dont succeed again this year will be from themselves falling on there own sword thru complacency and the back back pressure that comes with the reigning premier.
cheers!

 

[magpie_joffa]

YOUS ARE DREAMING!!!

WAKEY
WAKEY
HANDS OF SNAKEY.

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good ole collingwood for ever,we know how to play the game,side by side we stick together to uphold the REAL magpies name,see the barrackers are shouting,as all barrackers should,YES the premiership's a cakewalk for the good ole collingwood.
http://www.mp3.com/joffa

 

[TigerTank]

You have just read another intelligent, balanced, well reasoned and well thought out argument from Joffa.

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TT - Obligatory bad-tempered Richmond supporter

 

[The Dutchman!]

classic reply there Joffa! Full points!

 

[CJH]

Excellent thoughts Dutchman!

An objective appraisal of the Tigers 2001 prospects. Better than the feeble offerings coming from the likes of Sheahan - maybe you could get a job replacing him at the Sun!!!

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TigerFury.net - Independant Richmond Tigers website

 

[LC_15]

Good valid points, I now only wait for the start of the season to see how teams pan out.

To me, Mike Sheahan has over the past few years started to believe that everything he writes will come true. Ranking teams in the top 8 and bottom 8 is pretty futile. I remember last year Mike symbolically crawling up the arse of Richmond on Talking footy last year, at the time we were 3rd. What happened. Hello Mr 9th!

A classic of Mikes I have to say is ranking the top 50 at the end of a season and then proceeding to rank the top 50 at the start of the next season. Being, no football has taken place, but the rankings have changed. I think Mike ranks these guys on the end of season trip and there form at the bar.

The only thing left I have to say is that if Joffa ever contributes a intelliegent and un biased opinion on these forums for once in his misearable (Dictionary - Miserable - a collingwood supporter.) life then I will wear a collingwood scarf to the Richmond V Collingwood game. That is how confident I am.

LC_15

 

[Arch]

dutchy, I dont really think youre going out on a limb too much there- I really cant see any reason apart from another wretched run with injuries or having to win a rnd 22 game to make the finals

, that they wont make it- I think they showed glimpses of what theyre capable of last year (well not against us)- but they won a streak of games against the odds, including one in brisbane they were never tipped to win- so I think if they can get their sh*t together this season- there's no reason they cant make top6.

assuming also that the team plane doesnt crash on one of those interstate trips.

[This message has been edited by Arch (edited 23 March 2001).]

 

[Homer TT Simpson]

Originally posted by Arch:
but they won a steak of games against the odds

Mmmmm! Steak!

 

[Stealth bomber]

Steak?

Money's too tight for steak.

Steak?

Yeah sure....steak.

 

[Arch]

steak ??? I think you misquoted me- I dont know what your talking about, and I dont want to talk about it anymore. I have to go now. stop picking on me

 

[Blue Blood]

How could Richmond have a top 4 or 5 midfield and forward line when last year you were the 13th placed team on points scored.Even Collingwood who finished 2nd last scored more points then Richmond.I don't mind some fans dreaming or even hoping for a miracle,but please make them valid points and not biased views.

 

[CJH]

Originally posted by Blue Blood:
How could Richmond have a top 4 or 5 midfield and forward line when last year you were the 13th placed team on points scored.Even Collingwood who finished 2nd last scored more points then Richmond.I don't mind some fans dreaming or even hoping for a miracle,but please make them valid points and not biased views.

Just for your peace of mind Blue Blood, both Dutchman who raised the initial argument and Arch who concurred and extended it are both Essendon supporters.

Surely from this perspective their opinions must be considered balanced and objective and not biased as you suggest.

Taking Dutchmans argument just a tiny bit further, do you think that the fact we had so many injuries would have contributed to the fact we were 13th on the For list?

Then again we were 5th on the points against list which means the midfield must have been doing something right to limit the amount of ball going into defense.

Of course you neglected to mention that fact as well. Can't let them get in the way of a good story can we?



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TigerFury.net - Independant Richmond Tigers website

 

[Tom FC]

I wouldn't rate either Richmond's midfield or their forwardline in the top 4 or 5 in the league, simply because most sides have a good forwardline, and every side has an excellent midfield. Even Collingwood have Buckley and O'Bree.
As for their youngsters, they already rely on them too much. If it wasn't for the huge impprovements in players like Ottens, Andrew Kellaway, Chaffey and Hilton, the Tigers wouldn't have done so well last year. We don't know how much better, if at all, these players will get.

 

[The Dutchman!]

1. CJH, I wouldn't wipe my arse with the Herald Sun - one of the more worthless rags in the World (including The Sun, Mirror, Star and News of the World) but cheers for the notallthatsurprisingfromatigerfan acknowledgement.

2. BlueBlood, life exists outside of Allan, Ratten, Campo and Bradley. The stats you quoted will, IMHO, be proved meaningless after say round 5.

3. Re: point 2, yeah Arch I don't think I'm too exposed on this position either - reckon its a comfortable 'long' for mine.

 

[Red Rover]

Every year we hear about why Richmond is going to make the 8, but it never happens. Their list isn't too bad and they probably should make the 8, but they should have made it last year, and should have made it in 98, 96 etc.

Besides last season many of their players played well above themselves and there were some terrific performances, but at the end of the day they finished 9th. I can't see them improving in a big way on their 2000 form, at best they'll be borderline finals contenders - again.