I think it's obvious to all that we are lacking in all departments but one things for certain, we will never emerge from this 25 year abyss until we manage to recruit elite midfielders of the ilk of West Coast or Brisbane in their prime. Lack of leadership and football smarts seems to be typical of the last two decades and the time has come to either groom the next Chris Judd or even better, poach him from the West.
It's been such a long time since a Tiger midfielder has grabbed a game by the scruff of the neck and literally blown the opposition away with silky skills and inspiring leadership. Think back to Matty Knights against the Bombers in 1995, staring down the bottom of the barrel he lifts the whole team with three critical running goals and lifts the whole team as a result.
Somehow I can't see Kane Johnson being the man to ignite the team, Tuck is blue collar battler and Foley. Tambling and Deledio are simply not ready to match it with the games elite.
I liked Tamblings game against the scum but he reminds me more of a young Peter Matera and will probably be best suited to a wing. Lids has the tools to be in the centre square and will probably take the next step in 2008 while Foley will be in the ilk of Scott West, lots of possesions but lacks the game breaking flare that can lift a teams self belief.
Assuming the latest batch of Edwards, Connors and JON don't fill the gaping holes in our midfield rotations we will be in dire trouble over the next few seasons unless a quality player is lured to the club. No disrespect to Johnson who has been servicable but any club who's captain is a tagger fails to recognise what it means to be a leader when games are in the balance.
Right now, I think the RFC should be chasing Chris Judd at all costs and that means giving up any player or draft pick with the exception of Brett Deledio. The Kangas have already offered 1 million a season so the bidding war is already on in earnest.
And one last point with regards to Richo, something tells me this may well be the beginning of the end for the big fella as it is clear he is as much a problem as he is an asset to the team. Some of the body language last night was reminiscent of the histrionics of a few years back and it's about time the leaders of the club set a good example for the young brigade. There is life beyond Richo and I think the time is right to consider our structure without the big fella as the main focus.
It's been such a long time since a Tiger midfielder has grabbed a game by the scruff of the neck and literally blown the opposition away with silky skills and inspiring leadership. Think back to Matty Knights against the Bombers in 1995, staring down the bottom of the barrel he lifts the whole team with three critical running goals and lifts the whole team as a result.
Somehow I can't see Kane Johnson being the man to ignite the team, Tuck is blue collar battler and Foley. Tambling and Deledio are simply not ready to match it with the games elite.
I liked Tamblings game against the scum but he reminds me more of a young Peter Matera and will probably be best suited to a wing. Lids has the tools to be in the centre square and will probably take the next step in 2008 while Foley will be in the ilk of Scott West, lots of possesions but lacks the game breaking flare that can lift a teams self belief.
Assuming the latest batch of Edwards, Connors and JON don't fill the gaping holes in our midfield rotations we will be in dire trouble over the next few seasons unless a quality player is lured to the club. No disrespect to Johnson who has been servicable but any club who's captain is a tagger fails to recognise what it means to be a leader when games are in the balance.
Right now, I think the RFC should be chasing Chris Judd at all costs and that means giving up any player or draft pick with the exception of Brett Deledio. The Kangas have already offered 1 million a season so the bidding war is already on in earnest.
And one last point with regards to Richo, something tells me this may well be the beginning of the end for the big fella as it is clear he is as much a problem as he is an asset to the team. Some of the body language last night was reminiscent of the histrionics of a few years back and it's about time the leaders of the club set a good example for the young brigade. There is life beyond Richo and I think the time is right to consider our structure without the big fella as the main focus.
] with Pettifer
Hall Krak Tivendale