Position vacant: One Tiger full-back
10 June 2003 Herald Sun
By GRANTLEY BERNARD
RICHMOND has two urgent needs this week: a full-back and a win over Carlton.
The Tigers lost their third straight game last Friday night and also lost full-back Darren Gaspar to a season-ending knee injury, leaving them just outside the top eight and craving a win heading into the mid-season break.
Addressing the need for a key backman is the first priority and the Tigers have a list of possibles to step into Gaspar's key defensive role with Ray Hall, Andrew Kellaway, Royce Vardy and Ben Holland all potential replacements.
"Depending on who the (opposition player) is down there, we've got a number of guys who can play full-back," Richmond football manager Greg Hutchison said yesterday.
"Obviously, 'Gas' is our preferred guy there, but we've got a few options. It just depends on who the likely opponent is to determine who we'll use in that fullback position."
Gaspar was scheduled to have reconstruction surgery last night and also suffered dizziness when he got out of bed on Saturday morning.
"There was nothing in it," Hutchison said. "He hadn't had much sleep, he got up quickly and had a dizzy spell. His wife was there to help him and there was no problem."
Tigers captain Wayne Campbell (calf) will not return until after the break, but the club is hoping Aaron Fiora (ankle) should be right to play the Blues and Kane Johnson (calf) is rated a 50-50 chance.
On the plus side is the anticipated return of Holland after a VFL suspension, but it seems Duncan Kellaway, who has endured persistent hamstring problems, will need at least one more game with Coburg before getting a call-up.
A positive out of Friday's loss was the return of key big man Brad Ottens, who has not reported any ill-effects in his first game since pre-season back surgery.
"He pulled up really well," Hutchison said. "It was good. He copped a big one in the goalsquare and landed pretty heavy, but he's really happy how he's pulled up."
Having Ottens in good form second-up from his spell will be crucial against the struggling Blues as Richmond tries to end it losing streak and go into the second half of the season on a positive note.
"Denis Pagan's words echo in my mind all the time: It's a very difficult competition, tough competition and it's hard to win," Hutchison said.
"We realise it's a fairly important game this week and it gives us a really good chance to have a crack at it in the back half of the year."
10 June 2003 Herald Sun
By GRANTLEY BERNARD
RICHMOND has two urgent needs this week: a full-back and a win over Carlton.
The Tigers lost their third straight game last Friday night and also lost full-back Darren Gaspar to a season-ending knee injury, leaving them just outside the top eight and craving a win heading into the mid-season break.
Addressing the need for a key backman is the first priority and the Tigers have a list of possibles to step into Gaspar's key defensive role with Ray Hall, Andrew Kellaway, Royce Vardy and Ben Holland all potential replacements.
"Depending on who the (opposition player) is down there, we've got a number of guys who can play full-back," Richmond football manager Greg Hutchison said yesterday.
"Obviously, 'Gas' is our preferred guy there, but we've got a few options. It just depends on who the likely opponent is to determine who we'll use in that fullback position."
Gaspar was scheduled to have reconstruction surgery last night and also suffered dizziness when he got out of bed on Saturday morning.
"There was nothing in it," Hutchison said. "He hadn't had much sleep, he got up quickly and had a dizzy spell. His wife was there to help him and there was no problem."
Tigers captain Wayne Campbell (calf) will not return until after the break, but the club is hoping Aaron Fiora (ankle) should be right to play the Blues and Kane Johnson (calf) is rated a 50-50 chance.
On the plus side is the anticipated return of Holland after a VFL suspension, but it seems Duncan Kellaway, who has endured persistent hamstring problems, will need at least one more game with Coburg before getting a call-up.
A positive out of Friday's loss was the return of key big man Brad Ottens, who has not reported any ill-effects in his first game since pre-season back surgery.
"He pulled up really well," Hutchison said. "It was good. He copped a big one in the goalsquare and landed pretty heavy, but he's really happy how he's pulled up."
Having Ottens in good form second-up from his spell will be crucial against the struggling Blues as Richmond tries to end it losing streak and go into the second half of the season on a positive note.
"Denis Pagan's words echo in my mind all the time: It's a very difficult competition, tough competition and it's hard to win," Hutchison said.
"We realise it's a fairly important game this week and it gives us a really good chance to have a crack at it in the back half of the year."
