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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
Yes, perhaps it's a tad too early to be thinking about the game today. But it is 9am (NZ time) and I'm not afraid to say that I'm very excited about the match. Not necessarily because I'm certain the boys will win, but because of what today represents for the team and the club.
Over the past 5-6 years, Sydney fixtures have been difficult ones to call. The Swans have certainly had the better side on paper over that time, and yet somehow we have done quite well against them relative to other sides like the 'Aints'. The away results (at least in my foggy recollections) have been quite consistant. Sure we've had to endure the occasional thumping, but we've also had a few surprise wins.
I see today as another opportunity to retrieve a further 1% of the respect lost in the AFL wilderness over the past couple of decades. We've certainly shown over the course of the year (with the exceptions of the Collingwood & North Melbourne games, as well as the 3rd quarters v the Cats and the Dons) that we've matured mentally and physically, developed that toughness, run-and-carry and most importantly passion - if not raised the skill levels ever so slightly??? Lets not forget that we are now around the mark in contest possession, which frankly hasn't been one of our strong points for a while. On the whole the boys are committing themselves well and doing more of the 1 percenters then any year over the past decade.
Naturally the Swans play the SCG well. The have a strong side who are currently in good form, with plenty of senior bodies that can handle to rough, tight contests that their ground often produces. But if we can (as Terry has mentioned) match them in the stoppages, keep up a solid 4 quarter effort in terms of defensive pressure while also sticking to our direct/attacking gameplan as much as possible, then we have a strong chance.
People will say that they are sick of honourable losses (me included), but in reality regular competitive contests are what we require from the boys. Time and improved confidence as a group will turn them into wins. This is not to suggest that we should settle for mediocrity, just that turning a team of nutorious under-achievers into premierships contenders is not something that can be done overnight. Improvement offen occurs in small steps, so even in the possible event that the tiges don't get over the line today... a loss isn't always a loss.
Not that one game is ever a good indication, but with each impressive performance the group is showing that it has it's own identity. A team that is no longer bound by the restraints of low self-esteem or a bad club culture. Young men who are really beginning to believe that they belong in the competition and that Richmond as a club is actually on it's way back this time. Granted it has taken some time, but Terry is dare I say it, is starting to deliver on some of his promises.
Good luck boys. Get stuck in!
Over the past 5-6 years, Sydney fixtures have been difficult ones to call. The Swans have certainly had the better side on paper over that time, and yet somehow we have done quite well against them relative to other sides like the 'Aints'. The away results (at least in my foggy recollections) have been quite consistant. Sure we've had to endure the occasional thumping, but we've also had a few surprise wins.
I see today as another opportunity to retrieve a further 1% of the respect lost in the AFL wilderness over the past couple of decades. We've certainly shown over the course of the year (with the exceptions of the Collingwood & North Melbourne games, as well as the 3rd quarters v the Cats and the Dons) that we've matured mentally and physically, developed that toughness, run-and-carry and most importantly passion - if not raised the skill levels ever so slightly??? Lets not forget that we are now around the mark in contest possession, which frankly hasn't been one of our strong points for a while. On the whole the boys are committing themselves well and doing more of the 1 percenters then any year over the past decade.
Naturally the Swans play the SCG well. The have a strong side who are currently in good form, with plenty of senior bodies that can handle to rough, tight contests that their ground often produces. But if we can (as Terry has mentioned) match them in the stoppages, keep up a solid 4 quarter effort in terms of defensive pressure while also sticking to our direct/attacking gameplan as much as possible, then we have a strong chance.
People will say that they are sick of honourable losses (me included), but in reality regular competitive contests are what we require from the boys. Time and improved confidence as a group will turn them into wins. This is not to suggest that we should settle for mediocrity, just that turning a team of nutorious under-achievers into premierships contenders is not something that can be done overnight. Improvement offen occurs in small steps, so even in the possible event that the tiges don't get over the line today... a loss isn't always a loss.
Not that one game is ever a good indication, but with each impressive performance the group is showing that it has it's own identity. A team that is no longer bound by the restraints of low self-esteem or a bad club culture. Young men who are really beginning to believe that they belong in the competition and that Richmond as a club is actually on it's way back this time. Granted it has taken some time, but Terry is dare I say it, is starting to deliver on some of his promises.
Good luck boys. Get stuck in!