From the HeraldSun site:
Scratch the Tigers
20 July 2003 AFL
By JACKIE EPSTEIN
THE game started with the underdog trying to physically ruffle the
hot favourite.
Tim Fleming threw his weight around and Mark Coughlan overpowered
Nathan Buckley in a brief toe-to-toe clash.
But Richmond's attempts to intimidate stopped right there.
After 10 minutes it was clear the Tigers, having lost seven in a row
and with their confidence shot, were pounding against a brick wall.
The Magpies are a supreme unit and in the end were the only ones
doing any roughing up.
For the fourth straight week they were dominant and impressive with
their skills, intensity and dedication.
Last week they did it for Bob Rose against Fremantle. On Friday night
they did it to reassert their claims for a top four spot.
All clubs might now look at fixturing a mid-season break in Darwin if
this is the result.
The trip has rejuvenated the playing group and even coach Mick
Malthouse.
Jarrod Molloy, Josh Fraser and Scott Burns have been the principal
beneficiaries.
Buckley was also outstanding, but that is the standard we have come
to expect from the champion leader.
His past five weeks would surely lift him into Brownlow medal
calculations again.
A player of his ilk is sorely lacking at Richmond.
Coughlan is a star and was one of his team's best players, but he is
only 21 and needs support and guidance. At the moment, he doesn't get
it.
Nothing went right for Matthew Richardson and even a few Collingwood
fans had to sympathise with his plight.
It was Richo's chance to shine in the absence of captain Wayne
Campbell, but it was always going to be a letdown. If the Tigers had
given him more space instead of crowding him inside 50 he might have
been able to make more of his pace and strength advantage over Simon
Prestigiacomo.
At the other end, Anthony Rocca was doing it to Ben Holland while
Molloy was simply fending them off at will.
Chris Tarrant had a quiet night, but he had others step up around him.
Mark Chaffey and Greg Tivendale always give 100 per cent, but the
left footers can't shoulder the workload alone.
Injuries hurt, but it is doubtful Leon Cameron and Kane Johnson would
have made an 11-goal difference.
Brodie Holland has added a spark to the Pies' midfield while Shane
O'Bree, Paul Licuria and Shane Woewodin contributed with effective
workmanlike performances.
A glaring stat is Richmond had 18 fewer disposals than the Magpies,
but still went down by so much.
The Tigers are struggling to find targets and are constantly choosing
the wrong options.
The Bulldogs-Tigers battle on Saturday night will be a must-see with
both teams desperate for a win.
Plenty of work needs to be done in the space of a week if the Tigers
are to turn it around – even against the Bulldogs.
The form of their big men is a major worry with Brad Ottens and Greg
Stafford badly out of touch.
Fraser is a ruckman growing in confidence, who would have taken mark
of the year in the last quarter had the ball stuck.
He soared high over Joel Bowden in the goalsquare, but it bobbed out
on the second grab.
It was just another sad reminder of how long it has been since
Richmond fans have seen Richo and Ottens soaring high into the sky.
Scratch the Tigers
20 July 2003 AFL
By JACKIE EPSTEIN
THE game started with the underdog trying to physically ruffle the
hot favourite.
Tim Fleming threw his weight around and Mark Coughlan overpowered
Nathan Buckley in a brief toe-to-toe clash.
But Richmond's attempts to intimidate stopped right there.
After 10 minutes it was clear the Tigers, having lost seven in a row
and with their confidence shot, were pounding against a brick wall.
The Magpies are a supreme unit and in the end were the only ones
doing any roughing up.
For the fourth straight week they were dominant and impressive with
their skills, intensity and dedication.
Last week they did it for Bob Rose against Fremantle. On Friday night
they did it to reassert their claims for a top four spot.
All clubs might now look at fixturing a mid-season break in Darwin if
this is the result.
The trip has rejuvenated the playing group and even coach Mick
Malthouse.
Jarrod Molloy, Josh Fraser and Scott Burns have been the principal
beneficiaries.
Buckley was also outstanding, but that is the standard we have come
to expect from the champion leader.
His past five weeks would surely lift him into Brownlow medal
calculations again.
A player of his ilk is sorely lacking at Richmond.
Coughlan is a star and was one of his team's best players, but he is
only 21 and needs support and guidance. At the moment, he doesn't get
it.
Nothing went right for Matthew Richardson and even a few Collingwood
fans had to sympathise with his plight.
It was Richo's chance to shine in the absence of captain Wayne
Campbell, but it was always going to be a letdown. If the Tigers had
given him more space instead of crowding him inside 50 he might have
been able to make more of his pace and strength advantage over Simon
Prestigiacomo.
At the other end, Anthony Rocca was doing it to Ben Holland while
Molloy was simply fending them off at will.
Chris Tarrant had a quiet night, but he had others step up around him.
Mark Chaffey and Greg Tivendale always give 100 per cent, but the
left footers can't shoulder the workload alone.
Injuries hurt, but it is doubtful Leon Cameron and Kane Johnson would
have made an 11-goal difference.
Brodie Holland has added a spark to the Pies' midfield while Shane
O'Bree, Paul Licuria and Shane Woewodin contributed with effective
workmanlike performances.
A glaring stat is Richmond had 18 fewer disposals than the Magpies,
but still went down by so much.
The Tigers are struggling to find targets and are constantly choosing
the wrong options.
The Bulldogs-Tigers battle on Saturday night will be a must-see with
both teams desperate for a win.
Plenty of work needs to be done in the space of a week if the Tigers
are to turn it around – even against the Bulldogs.
The form of their big men is a major worry with Brad Ottens and Greg
Stafford badly out of touch.
Fraser is a ruckman growing in confidence, who would have taken mark
of the year in the last quarter had the ball stuck.
He soared high over Joel Bowden in the goalsquare, but it bobbed out
on the second grab.
It was just another sad reminder of how long it has been since
Richmond fans have seen Richo and Ottens soaring high into the sky.
