Tom Roach -- fingers crossed

[itsintheblood]

If we're gonna rely on tommy to win us a flag we're gonna be bitterely disappointed. He was a boy playing amongst men against the eagles.

Let's not play any kids then.   :

Seriously, this is the kid who was the worst casualty of the Flood regime at Coburg. Stripped of all confidence. He comes in for his first senior game for more than a year and shows a bit. Gets injured and bravely comes back on.

Would he have played more game time last night if not injured? YES.
Would he be retained in the side next week if not injured? YES.
Would he have shown notable improvement for both Coburg and Richmond over the course of this season? MOST LIKELY.

Now he has to sit on the sidelines for eight weeks. Fate conspires against some.

No-one is suggesting we have to rely on Tom to win us a flag, but every side needs both artists and artisans, and Tom has demonstrated the desire to put the wreckage of last year behind him and do everything in his power to improve as a footballer (this last point was recognised by the coaching staff before Round 1). For this he deserves some respect.

There is one reason and one reason only why tommy is playing for richmond. We all know what that is. He would not have made the top 50 or 60 in the draft. Did nothing at junior level.

 

[crackertiger]

Thats absolute *smile* iitb!

 

[itsintheblood]

Thats absolute *smile* iitb!

Is it? Seriously??? Gimme a break mate. Roach wouldnt get a game with any other club in the AFL and you know it. He's way out of his depth.

 

[Ready]

He's played ten more senior games than Matthew Greig.

Out of his depth at present, yes, but is coming from a long way back. Work ethic and smart coaching will result in a handy player.

 

[itsintheblood]

He's played ten more senior games than Matthew Greig.

Out of his depth at present, yes, but is coming from a long way back. Work ethic and smart coaching will result in a handy player.

I wish I could share your sentiments. He wont make it.

 

[Al Bundy]

Showed a bit as well, lovely mark and disposal around the wing and the moment when he stood up in the tackle and put Deledio into space was magic.  :clap One of a couple of lovely releasing handballs.

yes he was pretty good tonight...i really hope he makes it...he showed some good signs tonight.

it sucks that our youngsters are copping all the injuries...it could be a wasted development year if all of the oldies play all of the footy

This issue of the youth being hurt has a relation to the post about lag tackling from Redford.

Our youth are going in first and pay the price at times.

 

[Scoop]

Gusty effort by young Tom, he showed great courage and pride to try and get back out there.

Hopefully he gets another chance before the year is out to expand on the positives from last nite otherwise he may be very close to getting the chop.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

If we're gonna rely on tommy to win us a flag we're gonna be bitterely disappointed. He was a boy playing amongst men against the eagles.

Let's not play any kids then.   :

Seriously, this is the kid who was the worst casualty of the Flood regime at Coburg. Stripped of all confidence. He comes in for his first senior game for more than a year and shows a bit. Gets injured and bravely comes back on.

Would he have played more game time last night if not injured? YES.
Would he be retained in the side next week if not injured? YES.
Would he have shown notable improvement for both Coburg and Richmond over the course of this season? MOST LIKELY.

Now he has to sit on the sidelines for eight weeks. Fate conspires against some.

No-one is suggesting we have to rely on Tom to win us a flag, but every side needs both artists and artisans, and Tom has demonstrated the desire to put the wreckage of last year behind him and do everything in his power to improve as a footballer (this last point was recognised by the coaching staff before Round 1). For this he deserves some respect.

Well said Ready. I thought we were over all this Tom only got a spot because of his surname crap.

 

[Ridley]

/quote]

There is one reason and one reason only why tommy is playing for richmond. We all know what that is. He would not have made the top 50 or 60 in the draft. Did nothing at junior level.

Hear hear iitb. Roach's recruitment was one of Miller's infamous smokescreens to cover up the carnage that was the end to season 2003 where we lost 13 of our last 14 games after being 6-2. And also to cover up the fact that he stuffed up by removing the termination clause from Frawley's contract.

Whilst I've never thought he was up to it I was pleased to see him get a go to see if he could prove the doubters, myself included, wrong. Unfortunately for him he won't get that chance in the immediate future. It is bad luck for him but in the long run he's unlikely to be a good AFL footballer.

(But he might last at 7 or 8 seasons at RFC )

 

[Tigerfan]

There is one reason and one reason only why tommy is playing for richmond. We all know what that is. He would not have made the top 50 or 60 in the draft. Did nothing at junior level.

what is it you just said about terry wallace then iitb

 

[mk33]

If we're gonna rely on tommy to win us a flag we're gonna be bitterely disappointed. He was a boy playing amongst men against the eagles.

Let's not play any kids then.   :

Seriously, this is the kid who was the worst casualty of the Flood regime at Coburg. Stripped of all confidence. He comes in for his first senior game for more than a year and shows a bit. Gets injured and bravely comes back on.

Would he have played more game time last night if not injured? YES.
Would he be retained in the side next week if not injured? YES.
Would he have shown notable improvement for both Coburg and Richmond over the course of this season? MOST LIKELY.

Now he has to sit on the sidelines for eight weeks. Fate conspires against some.

No-one is suggesting we have to rely on Tom to win us a flag, but every side needs both artists and artisans, and Tom has demonstrated the desire to put the wreckage of last year behind him and do everything in his power to improve as a footballer (this last point was recognised by the coaching staff before Round 1). For this he deserves some respect.

Great post Ready, hopefully Tommy back very soon to give us some run

 

[Jexy]

Herald Sun today has Tommy missing about 5 weeks. Broke the left side of his jaw and will require surgery (today I think).

 

[Tubytiger]

Herald Sun today has Tommy missing about 5 weeks. Broke the left side of his jaw and will require surgery (today I think).

That is just such a blow for the young fella - really feel for him. Great effort to come back on after getting hurt the first time. I really thought that he knew that this was his chance to really stand up if he was ever going to and to have this happen, well that's footy i suppose.

Lets hope he comes back and can really have a good chance to cement himself in the team.

 

[Jexy]

Herald Sun today has Tommy missing about 5 weeks. Broke the left side of his jaw and will require surgery (today I think).

That is just such a blow for the young fella - really feel for him. Great effort to come back on after getting hurt the first time. I really thought that he knew that this was his chance to really stand up if he was ever going to and to have this happen, well that's footy i suppose.

Lets hope he comes back and can really have a good chance to cement himself in the team.

Yeah I agree. Best case scenario would be about a round 10 return. Still gives him three months to make it in the seniors. Its not over yet for Tom. I just hope his confidence stays up.

 

[Tigers of Old]

I don't claim to be a medical expert but doesn't a broken jaw mean that you basically get fed through a straw for a while at least?
I'd imagine he's going to lose a substantial amount of weight if that's the case.
I must state I'm only guessing here and am not really sure of the extent of the injury.

However the harsh reality is Tom's really going to be behind the 8 ball after this terrible misfortune because alot of the work he's done pre season will go to waste.

It might only take 8 weeks to heal the injury itself but he's going to lose a fair amount of conditioning which is going to make it very tough for a fringe player to again work his way back into the side.

Given that his contract is up at the end of the year it's a very uncertain time for young Tommy. I really feel for the guy.

 

[Tigerfan]

I don't claim to be a medical expert but doesn't a broken jaw mean that you basically get fed through a straw for a while at least?
I'd imagine he's going to lose a substantial amount of weight if that's the case. .

Someone break my jaw then :-X

 

[Ready]

He'd be eating all sorts of high-protein mush. Better get used to bread pudding too. No steak or anything but after a few weeks he should be able to eat reasonably normal food.

On another note, had a check of yesterday's Hun. Tom's nine possessions came in only 33 minutes on the ground. The kid can get it. :thumbsup

 

[Tigerfan]

He'd be eating all sorts of high-protein mush. Better get used to bread pudding too. No steak or anything but after a few weeks he should be able to eat reasonably normal food.

On another note, had a check of yesterday's Hun. Tom's nine possessions came in only 33 minutes on the ground. The kid can get it. :thumbsup

yes...very happy with roachy showed...I liked that mark a lot too.

 

[Tigerfan]

oooooh, you gave me goosebumps Rimau
c'mon Roachy :clap

 

[No 4]

I wouldn't be surprised that TAB Sportsbet have started some new odds on "the next Richmond player injured" :

Its best to have these injuries now, rather in the next three years. Often, its the side with less injury that do extremely well.