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What now for Ottens-less Tigers?
6:32:55 PM Wed 12 March, 2003
Kevin Diggerson
afl.com.au
The news that Brad Ottens' back injury will keep him sidelined for at least half the season would have hit the leaders at Punt Road like the proverbial ton of bricks.
Coming off a disappointing season, the Tigers were looking for Ottens and fellow match-winner Matthew Richardson return to the form that led Richmond to the 2001 finals.
How will Richmond coach Danny Frawley fill the void left by Ottens? The short answer of course is that he can't. The Tigers set up is so geared around Ottens and Richardson that no other player on the list can fill the void.
With Richardson and Ottens grabbing 348 marks and kicking 105 goals in unison two years ago, the Tigers stormed to a top four berth. With Richardson sidelined for much of last year, Richmond slumped.
Everyone at Punt Road was looking forward to seeing the pair return to that form, with Richardson reporting injury free through the pre-season.
Ottens injury has come out of left field, and the Tigers' prospects will rest with a group of players that have yet to display the consistent form required to win at the highest level.
Greg Stafford and Ray Hall will be asked to fill the breach, but with Stafford up forward who will take the rucking load? Hall has been inconsistent in his 38 game career.
The only other players on the list that stand over 190 cm are Darren Gaspar, a key defender; Ben Holland, who missed all but four games last season and will likely slot back to centre-half back; Andrew Kellaway who stands 10 cm shorter than Ottens; Royce Vardy who is versatile but is more a defender than forward; and the wildcard, Jay *smile*.
*smile* was the Tigers' first pick in last year's draft, and is a strong mark capable of kicking goals as a key forward. But at 17, it is a lot to ask of *smile* to step into the shoes left by his fellow South Australian.
Frawley has one other option - a change of game plan built around the twin towers as the focal point of the forward line.
Having worked through the pre-season under the premise of having both Richardson and Ottens up forward, it would be a huge gamble for Frawley to come up with a new strategy.
Whichever way Frawley chooses to go, the Tigers opening night clash with Collingwood will be one to watch as the Tigers come to terms with the loss of their All Australian forward.
6:32:55 PM Wed 12 March, 2003
Kevin Diggerson
afl.com.au
The news that Brad Ottens' back injury will keep him sidelined for at least half the season would have hit the leaders at Punt Road like the proverbial ton of bricks.
Coming off a disappointing season, the Tigers were looking for Ottens and fellow match-winner Matthew Richardson return to the form that led Richmond to the 2001 finals.
How will Richmond coach Danny Frawley fill the void left by Ottens? The short answer of course is that he can't. The Tigers set up is so geared around Ottens and Richardson that no other player on the list can fill the void.
With Richardson and Ottens grabbing 348 marks and kicking 105 goals in unison two years ago, the Tigers stormed to a top four berth. With Richardson sidelined for much of last year, Richmond slumped.
Everyone at Punt Road was looking forward to seeing the pair return to that form, with Richardson reporting injury free through the pre-season.
Ottens injury has come out of left field, and the Tigers' prospects will rest with a group of players that have yet to display the consistent form required to win at the highest level.
Greg Stafford and Ray Hall will be asked to fill the breach, but with Stafford up forward who will take the rucking load? Hall has been inconsistent in his 38 game career.
The only other players on the list that stand over 190 cm are Darren Gaspar, a key defender; Ben Holland, who missed all but four games last season and will likely slot back to centre-half back; Andrew Kellaway who stands 10 cm shorter than Ottens; Royce Vardy who is versatile but is more a defender than forward; and the wildcard, Jay *smile*.
*smile* was the Tigers' first pick in last year's draft, and is a strong mark capable of kicking goals as a key forward. But at 17, it is a lot to ask of *smile* to step into the shoes left by his fellow South Australian.
Frawley has one other option - a change of game plan built around the twin towers as the focal point of the forward line.
Having worked through the pre-season under the premise of having both Richardson and Ottens up forward, it would be a huge gamble for Frawley to come up with a new strategy.
Whichever way Frawley chooses to go, the Tigers opening night clash with Collingwood will be one to watch as the Tigers come to terms with the loss of their All Australian forward.
