-
IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
I ask this because it is the first question or pair that the footy dept will consider in their planning for 2006 and beyond.
Strengths-
Richmond was usually very good at being first to the ball in 2004. High free kicks for was one of the benefits. On the other hand, we were smashed in this department by top teams (except West Coast) during the season. Adelaide and StKilda DESTROYED us in this area. Carlton did us here too but it was probably an aberrant game (a fluke) but it is, I believe still crucial to the issue to consider tha game.
We had a much improved foraward line with Richo, Brown (Near All Aust form) and even Pettifer
doing well. Krakouer had some moments and Bling showed some class.
Our tall backs beat their opponents on the vast majority of occasions irrespective of opponent quality. (Gaspar and Hall.) Each tall back was exposed at times but stacked up well compared to his Geelong (league benchmark) counterpart. Still doubts on each.
We struggled with injury for most of the season. It wasn't just the sidelined players but those who took the field often couldn't walk. To balance, who says the blokes who didn't front (exception N.G.Brown) can actually play? What's to say the brave ones will get any better? Maybe it's chronic.
Our ruck taps to goal were high. This was offset because good sides worked us out and nullified us. This is the worst strength to have, IMO, as it is too easily brought undone.
A much improved willingness to take risks- that is run and use the ball to attack. On the other hand, we were often smashed on the counter-attack.
Weaknesses-
We conceded huge numbers of cheap goals to sh!t teams.
We demonstrated clearly that we have no (that is ZERO) AFL class small backs. That is an alarmingly low number.
Against this, Hartigan, Thursfield and maybe Newman will improve with experience and each had his moments. At least one of the group should go on.
Our use was often poor. Most players seem to struggle with the ball when in the clear. Two of our designated kickers, Joel Bowden, Greg Tivendale can't kick. Those who can, Kayne Pettifer, Chris Newman, Brett Deledio are too few in number and are absolutely USELESS defensively.
We clearly don't have a top four list. Even if we'd been fully fit and opponents had been injured, would it have helped? What if we'd fielded a full side, played out of our skins and finished fifth? Would it have deluded our panel?
Our new coach did not steal games from unsuspecting sides who underestimated his tactical genius. Was he planning a year at the helm to check things out? Prcious few bold moves. On the other hand- a coach should be measured on his ability to improve individual players as well as influence gameplan. David Rodan and Jay Schulz on whom he focused and planned 2004 were annihilated by injury. His use of N.G.Brown was also stymied by injury. Unlucky.
The area of most concern to me is the one highlighted in yellow. Our chief strength. It tells me the terrible truth, that at even in our strongest department, we were not good enough.
BTW the very sides who belted us in the middle may yet expose the Eagles and Sydney at the stoppages.
The reasons they flogged us are a matter for further discussion. :-[
Strengths-
Richmond was usually very good at being first to the ball in 2004. High free kicks for was one of the benefits. On the other hand, we were smashed in this department by top teams (except West Coast) during the season. Adelaide and StKilda DESTROYED us in this area. Carlton did us here too but it was probably an aberrant game (a fluke) but it is, I believe still crucial to the issue to consider tha game.
We had a much improved foraward line with Richo, Brown (Near All Aust form) and even Pettifer
doing well. Krakouer had some moments and Bling showed some class.Our tall backs beat their opponents on the vast majority of occasions irrespective of opponent quality. (Gaspar and Hall.) Each tall back was exposed at times but stacked up well compared to his Geelong (league benchmark) counterpart. Still doubts on each.
We struggled with injury for most of the season. It wasn't just the sidelined players but those who took the field often couldn't walk. To balance, who says the blokes who didn't front (exception N.G.Brown) can actually play? What's to say the brave ones will get any better? Maybe it's chronic.
Our ruck taps to goal were high. This was offset because good sides worked us out and nullified us. This is the worst strength to have, IMO, as it is too easily brought undone.
A much improved willingness to take risks- that is run and use the ball to attack. On the other hand, we were often smashed on the counter-attack.
Weaknesses-
We conceded huge numbers of cheap goals to sh!t teams.
We demonstrated clearly that we have no (that is ZERO) AFL class small backs. That is an alarmingly low number.
Against this, Hartigan, Thursfield and maybe Newman will improve with experience and each had his moments. At least one of the group should go on.
Our use was often poor. Most players seem to struggle with the ball when in the clear. Two of our designated kickers, Joel Bowden, Greg Tivendale can't kick. Those who can, Kayne Pettifer, Chris Newman, Brett Deledio are too few in number and are absolutely USELESS defensively.
We clearly don't have a top four list. Even if we'd been fully fit and opponents had been injured, would it have helped? What if we'd fielded a full side, played out of our skins and finished fifth? Would it have deluded our panel?
Our new coach did not steal games from unsuspecting sides who underestimated his tactical genius. Was he planning a year at the helm to check things out? Prcious few bold moves. On the other hand- a coach should be measured on his ability to improve individual players as well as influence gameplan. David Rodan and Jay Schulz on whom he focused and planned 2004 were annihilated by injury. His use of N.G.Brown was also stymied by injury. Unlucky.
The area of most concern to me is the one highlighted in yellow. Our chief strength. It tells me the terrible truth, that at even in our strongest department, we were not good enough.
BTW the very sides who belted us in the middle may yet expose the Eagles and Sydney at the stoppages.
The reasons they flogged us are a matter for further discussion. :-[