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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
I would like to compile some facts that point towards the great man returning to his best form.
This is a dusty subject, so let's recap.
Coughlan was equal to or better than Deledio at the same age. He did better in every category, was labelled elite in the media in his 3rd year, won a B+F in his 3rd year and old threads on BF even have most posters talking about him in the same breath as Judd as one of the game's top young midfielders at the time.
I have a nagging suspicion that 90% of Tiger fans have simply forgotten how highly rated this guy used to be. Now I see people say "but hes slow and cant kik, what dos he look like again?".
In 2002, it became clear he was the greatest youngster to come into our club since Richo. With games of 29, 25 and 26 possies and nearly 4 tackles a game, he set a new attitude on the field. It was his 2nd year.
In 2003, some stand out games were:
28 possies, 10 tackles, 2 goals (*smile*ing WOW - Judd-like numbers)
19 possies, 5 tackles, 3 goals
29 possies, 6 tackles
24 possies, 8 tackles
32 possies, 4 tackles, 1 goal
27 possies, 5 tackles
32 possies
34 possies, 4 tackles, 1 goal
31 possies
27 possies, 5 tackles, 1 goal
Needless to say - he won the B+F in his 3rd season.
At this stage people were talking about him in the same light as Judd. So what happened the following year? Judd went on to win a Brownlow while Cogs developed OP carrying a wooden spoon team coached by Mr Cherry Ripe.
He played 22 games in 2005 when he was building fitness and still getting over his injuries. Even so, he had games such as: 38 possies, 7 tackles... (
) and possessions in the 28, 28, 28, 25, 25 region several times.
In 2006, he played half a season before doing his knee (for the first time). The rest is history.
So now you're probably thinking, "but that was just too long ago, the game has changed so much now... I don't know whether he can cope with the speed of the game anymore".
The speed of the game.
That seems to be the #1 worry all Tiger fans and I hope to convince you not to be with one sentence.
35 possessions... 4 tackles... 1 goal... - only 2 years ago.
And he had 27 possies, 5 tackles and a goal the week before.
Has the game really changed THAT much in 2 years?!
Can someone go from 35 possie, 4 tackels and 1 goal to nothing just because of the speed of the game in 2 years?
Of course not.
So now it's a case of hoping that the great man has still got his touch. VFL performances suggest he has still got "it". Fitness and confidence in the knee is the last main worry and if that is what you're worried about then have a think about who we are talking about:
Mark Coughlan.
Courageous, fierce, competitive - an elite talent.
Pushing boundaries on the training track like Trent Cotchin now does.
Attitude, arrogance and leadership - setting new benchmarks.
Mixture of workhorse and class.
Determination of steel.
Oh he will be back.
He might not be getting 35 touches, 10 tackles and goals... but even running on 90% he will still be good for 30 touches, 7 tackles and a goal.
That's how good he is - and don't you forget it!
(ps. Luke, I know you're reading this!)
This is a dusty subject, so let's recap.
Coughlan was equal to or better than Deledio at the same age. He did better in every category, was labelled elite in the media in his 3rd year, won a B+F in his 3rd year and old threads on BF even have most posters talking about him in the same breath as Judd as one of the game's top young midfielders at the time.
I have a nagging suspicion that 90% of Tiger fans have simply forgotten how highly rated this guy used to be. Now I see people say "but hes slow and cant kik, what dos he look like again?".
In 2002, it became clear he was the greatest youngster to come into our club since Richo. With games of 29, 25 and 26 possies and nearly 4 tackles a game, he set a new attitude on the field. It was his 2nd year.
In 2003, some stand out games were:
28 possies, 10 tackles, 2 goals (*smile*ing WOW - Judd-like numbers)
19 possies, 5 tackles, 3 goals
29 possies, 6 tackles
24 possies, 8 tackles
32 possies, 4 tackles, 1 goal
27 possies, 5 tackles
32 possies
34 possies, 4 tackles, 1 goal
31 possies
27 possies, 5 tackles, 1 goal
Needless to say - he won the B+F in his 3rd season.
At this stage people were talking about him in the same light as Judd. So what happened the following year? Judd went on to win a Brownlow while Cogs developed OP carrying a wooden spoon team coached by Mr Cherry Ripe.
He played 22 games in 2005 when he was building fitness and still getting over his injuries. Even so, he had games such as: 38 possies, 7 tackles... (
) and possessions in the 28, 28, 28, 25, 25 region several times.In 2006, he played half a season before doing his knee (for the first time). The rest is history.
So now you're probably thinking, "but that was just too long ago, the game has changed so much now... I don't know whether he can cope with the speed of the game anymore".
The speed of the game.
That seems to be the #1 worry all Tiger fans and I hope to convince you not to be with one sentence.
35 possessions... 4 tackles... 1 goal... - only 2 years ago.
And he had 27 possies, 5 tackles and a goal the week before.
Has the game really changed THAT much in 2 years?!
Can someone go from 35 possie, 4 tackels and 1 goal to nothing just because of the speed of the game in 2 years?
Of course not.
So now it's a case of hoping that the great man has still got his touch. VFL performances suggest he has still got "it". Fitness and confidence in the knee is the last main worry and if that is what you're worried about then have a think about who we are talking about:
Mark Coughlan.
Courageous, fierce, competitive - an elite talent.
Pushing boundaries on the training track like Trent Cotchin now does.
Attitude, arrogance and leadership - setting new benchmarks.
Mixture of workhorse and class.
Determination of steel.
Oh he will be back.
He might not be getting 35 touches, 10 tackles and goals... but even running on 90% he will still be good for 30 touches, 7 tackles and a goal.
That's how good he is - and don't you forget it!
(ps. Luke, I know you're reading this!)