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PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
Next year will be Wallaces 3rd and he will be expecting at the least to make the finals. So what does he need to do to improve the team. He has shown that he is a capable coach. So for me the problem remains the tigers list. When all up they can perform, but injuries will and always do happen.
These are the key areas I think he will look at:
Key defenders- we all know Gas and Kellaway won't go on forever and are a chance of retiring at seasons end(although I'd be surprised if they did). Will Thursfield looks the goods but is still a kid and Ray Hall is constantly exposed against bigger bodied players. I think Wallace will look to trade for at least one ready made key defender, potentially a Brad Miller or a Graeme Polak for a cheaper trade. I also beleive he wouldn't shy away from a second out of sorts or older defender to fill in the gap for just a year or two, as he has shown in the past he is not afraid to take a gamble if the price is right. Like a Hadlee, Saddington or even a Hay.
What could the tiges trade for a KPD:
Trent Knobel- whilst Knobes is one of the best tap ruckmen in the game he often fails to win the ball around the ground and Simmonds has proved to be Wallaces first choice. This may seem as a surprising suggestion with the departure of Staf but Pattison is improving and should be capable next year of holding up the 2nd or even 3rd ruck position...word has it is that the tiges are keen on young ruckman Cameron Wood from the lions. Knobel would represent good trade value.
Kayne Pettifer-has had a great season and would be a shame to see him go but would again represent good bargaining power. With Browny back and youngsters like Hughes, Meyer and Oakley-Nicholls he wouldn't be the most missed player. Would think it unlikely however that Wallace would trade Pets.
A combination of players including:
-Hall
-Tivendale
-Jackson
Draft picks- unlikely to trade away first pick but would prob look at 2nd round pick. Remember that is what we got in exchange for Ben Holland.
Wallace will also look at trying to draft a bigger bodied youngster who is capable of playing in the backline. There aren't many young large defenders at the moment at Tigerland besides Thursfield. Hopefully Jackson can get back on track. Whilst he still has plenty of time McGuane showed against the swans he is not yet up to AFL standard.
Wallace will then likely look at:
Ruck division- As I said earlier Simmonds clearly has ruck favouritism over Knobes these days and with Knobes' injury problems I believe the Tiges will look to trade him. Likely for a key-defender or draft pick. I believe Wallace will also look to trade for another ruckmen of lesser value, like Cameron Wood or even Michael Gardiner. It has been shown that Gardiner is out of favour and could potentially be picked up for a bargain basement price, I don't think the tiges would be interested otherwise as they would probably be better off keeping Knobes.
Midfield-Wallace has a decent young midfield at his disposal. With Wayne Campbell retired they did at times struggle. But with one of the youngest midfields in the league including players like Deledio,Tambling, Meyer and Foley there is definate scope to improve. I think Wallace will hope that Cogs can return well from injury and will hope to leave the midfield untouched.
Forward line-Besides from looking to draft another project-key position forward line player as another fall-back for Richo's eventual departure. I think Wallace would be reasonably happy with his forward set up that includes Richo, Brown, Pettifer, Krakouer and an improving Jay Schulz. Unless there is a potential bargain offered or a star player wants to move to the Tiges I think Wallace will leave the forward line as it is.
Some goalkicking power will be lost through the retirement of Staf however this void can be filled through the trading for another ruckmen or Pattison or Knobes being put there in his place.
Apart from the potential trades I have already talked about, I believe the players that may be put up for trade will be:
-Knobel
-Tivendale
-Hall
-Jackson
-Hartigan
-Roach
Potential de-listings:
-Moore
-Humm
-Limbach
-Rodan
Gaspar and Kellaway are also potential retirees. Gas could, but I'd be surprised if he did. Kellaway will very likely stay.
Unless some star players are put up for trade I think they will be the only changes to the Tigers list. Wallace will want to back in his young players to improve and take the next step. Hopefully this could give the tiges a chance of some long awaited glory.
This is just what I think. What do the other Richmond supporters out there think?
These are the key areas I think he will look at:
Key defenders- we all know Gas and Kellaway won't go on forever and are a chance of retiring at seasons end(although I'd be surprised if they did). Will Thursfield looks the goods but is still a kid and Ray Hall is constantly exposed against bigger bodied players. I think Wallace will look to trade for at least one ready made key defender, potentially a Brad Miller or a Graeme Polak for a cheaper trade. I also beleive he wouldn't shy away from a second out of sorts or older defender to fill in the gap for just a year or two, as he has shown in the past he is not afraid to take a gamble if the price is right. Like a Hadlee, Saddington or even a Hay.
What could the tiges trade for a KPD:
Trent Knobel- whilst Knobes is one of the best tap ruckmen in the game he often fails to win the ball around the ground and Simmonds has proved to be Wallaces first choice. This may seem as a surprising suggestion with the departure of Staf but Pattison is improving and should be capable next year of holding up the 2nd or even 3rd ruck position...word has it is that the tiges are keen on young ruckman Cameron Wood from the lions. Knobel would represent good trade value.
Kayne Pettifer-has had a great season and would be a shame to see him go but would again represent good bargaining power. With Browny back and youngsters like Hughes, Meyer and Oakley-Nicholls he wouldn't be the most missed player. Would think it unlikely however that Wallace would trade Pets.
A combination of players including:
-Hall
-Tivendale
-Jackson
Draft picks- unlikely to trade away first pick but would prob look at 2nd round pick. Remember that is what we got in exchange for Ben Holland.
Wallace will also look at trying to draft a bigger bodied youngster who is capable of playing in the backline. There aren't many young large defenders at the moment at Tigerland besides Thursfield. Hopefully Jackson can get back on track. Whilst he still has plenty of time McGuane showed against the swans he is not yet up to AFL standard.
Wallace will then likely look at:
Ruck division- As I said earlier Simmonds clearly has ruck favouritism over Knobes these days and with Knobes' injury problems I believe the Tiges will look to trade him. Likely for a key-defender or draft pick. I believe Wallace will also look to trade for another ruckmen of lesser value, like Cameron Wood or even Michael Gardiner. It has been shown that Gardiner is out of favour and could potentially be picked up for a bargain basement price, I don't think the tiges would be interested otherwise as they would probably be better off keeping Knobes.
Midfield-Wallace has a decent young midfield at his disposal. With Wayne Campbell retired they did at times struggle. But with one of the youngest midfields in the league including players like Deledio,Tambling, Meyer and Foley there is definate scope to improve. I think Wallace will hope that Cogs can return well from injury and will hope to leave the midfield untouched.
Forward line-Besides from looking to draft another project-key position forward line player as another fall-back for Richo's eventual departure. I think Wallace would be reasonably happy with his forward set up that includes Richo, Brown, Pettifer, Krakouer and an improving Jay Schulz. Unless there is a potential bargain offered or a star player wants to move to the Tiges I think Wallace will leave the forward line as it is.
Some goalkicking power will be lost through the retirement of Staf however this void can be filled through the trading for another ruckmen or Pattison or Knobes being put there in his place.
Apart from the potential trades I have already talked about, I believe the players that may be put up for trade will be:
-Knobel
-Tivendale
-Hall
-Jackson
-Hartigan
-Roach
Potential de-listings:
-Moore
-Humm
-Limbach
-Rodan
Gaspar and Kellaway are also potential retirees. Gas could, but I'd be surprised if he did. Kellaway will very likely stay.
Unless some star players are put up for trade I think they will be the only changes to the Tigers list. Wallace will want to back in his young players to improve and take the next step. Hopefully this could give the tiges a chance of some long awaited glory.
This is just what I think. What do the other Richmond supporters out there think?