In the next few weeks until the start of the 2009 season on 26th March 2009, we now introduce Richmond Tigers.
Cousins has generated so much hype and he will add alot to the midfield of Richmond
Other clubs already reviewed are: Western Bulldogs.
After Kick2Kick reviews each club, the writers will give their full season 2009 predictions. If you would like to review a team, please contact us.
What Happened Last Year
Like a lot of young sides they played brilliant exciting football but also rubbish that made plenty of Tiger supporters almost wish they supported another team.
Richardson playing up on the wing was a brilliant move and the best coach Wallace has ever done in his career. This allowed his class, marking ability and running ability to be used where needed whether it was a defensive mark down back or a mark and run down the wing. What was best about the move was that Riewoldt, Hughes, Brown & Morton were given the option of being the main targets.
Their disposal also mirrored their attitude and how they played the game. When doing well their skills was tops but when under pressure, their disposal was amongst the worse of the competition.
The New Season
The new season always brings hope, promise and then delusion for so many. However I seriously think Richmond have what it takes to make the finals in season 2009. If not Wallace’s 5 year plan/ contract will not be entering a sixth year as Richmond have not excuses.
The squad that Wallace has built consists of several players from other clubs (Morton, Cousins, Symonds, McMahan & Polak) along with key top 10 picks (Cotchin, Vickery, Oakley-Nicholls, Deledio & Tambling etc) and now has to perform.
I like their midfield of (Cotchin, Deledio, Cousins, Foley, Richo, Coughland etc) and forward line. The defense is looking stronger with games and years into Newman, Pattison & Thursfield.
Likely Finish: 9th (seriously between 9th and 5th)
Players to Watch
Ben Cousins - High profile recruit who if plays more than 15 games a season in the next two years could be the influx of class that Richmond needs to get them into playing finals. From all reports he has been wonderful for the younger players at Richmond with his work ethic, training attitude & professionalism (lets just hope he does not teach them about what drug is best).
Trent Cotchin - This kid could be anything! In his limited 15 games last year he showed a lot and if he can stay fit and get another 20 games out of him this year he will also add a lot of class to Richmond’s new strong midfield.
If Nathan Brown can kick 50+ goals season 2009 will be a happy season for all at Richmond.
Need to Improve
Nathan Brown -Nathan Brown is one of the best goal kickers and purest players but he just does not get enough of the ball and should be kicking 2-3 goals a game with 15+ possessions. While his leg was a huge injury blow, its been a few years and he now must step up to his prior injury game standard.
Richard Tambling - He has showed plenty in games but just seems to go missing for long periods of time. Was a high draft pick and simply must perform, likes to take the play on which needs to be encouraged. Think 2009 could be a key year in his and the Tigers development.
List Cloggers
Kayne Pettifer - Injury and inconsistency has caused Pettifer’s standing in the squad shaky. Two years ago, he was one of the best forward flankers in the competition but with Morton, Brown & Deledio he may not get much of a chance in 2009.
Jay Schulz - Inter club suspension, draft bait, police trouble and average form and its a wonder he is still on the list. Can play ruck, forward or back and must find a spot and perform consistently to keep his spot this year.
Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls – Is Jarrad still on the list because he was picked so high and the Tigers cannot get rid of him while Roughead & Buddy who were picked around him continue to star?
Your Views
What do you think of the Tigers in season 2009? Did they recruit well? Are they a chance for the top eight and if everything goes well could they squeeze into the top four? Or will it be another wasted year with hope, promise, then delusion and then anger?
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March 9th, 2009 at 8:50 am
“(lets just hope he does not teach them about what drug is best).” Let’s give the guy a break, Jermayn. Have you ever made a mistake?
As for the Tigers, if their disposal is not improved significantly — and I don’t expect it to be, they’ll be outside the eight (again). And in which competition was Pettifer considered one of the best forward flankers? Pettifer is another in the Richo mould — does extraordinary things occasionally, but can’t consistently perform ordinary, expected skills when required.
aussierulesblogs last blog post..The Bowden Rule . . .
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March 9th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Hey I have probably made more mistakes than Cousins, no drugs but yes I have made silly mistakes. I will leave him alone now…
Agree AussieRulesBlog that their disposal needs to be improved. I was reading an interview by new Perth (WAFL level) coach Andrew Jarman who said that “if you cannot kick, you cannot play football”.
I have to agree, kicking the football is the games simplest skill and if you cannot get that sorted, you should not be playing at the highest level.
We discussed this before: http://www.kick2kick.net/afl/afls-simplest-skill
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March 10th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Sorry aussierulesblog, but there’s not a parallel universe where Kayne Pettifer is “in the Richo mould”. Richo gives his absolutely everything, every single time he gets out on the park. Kayne Pettifer gives his absolute all every time there’s a chance that he might be able to score a goal or make himself a hero. Pettifer’s problems aren’t “performing ordinary skills” (his skills are above par for Richmond), it’s that the boy has very little desire, and plays for himself only. The day Kayne Pettifer registers more than 2 tackles in a game, and possibly even a shepherd will be the day that he cements his place in the side.
Richard Tambling has taken some time to develop, but if he continues on the trajectory of improvement we saw last season, he is a really good chance to become one of the elite midfielders in the competition.
I think the biggest excitement for last year at Richmond was actually the emergence of Kelvin Moore, Will Thursfield and Luke McGuane. None of this trio could have been considered dependable defenders before last year, and yet we saw them put in some fantastic performances last year against talented forward lines. If those three can continue to improve, we’ll have one of the best defences in the league in the next couple of years.
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March 10th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Kayne Pettifer had a good season a few years ago but with Brown back and the others (Morton, Delido etc) improving and having more of a team game (like Geoff stated) he is now on the outer.
Players like Pettifer, Davis etc do not have much room on today’s AFL list. Clubs can simply not afford to have passengers on their lists anymore.
Tambling needs to do what you suggest Geoff and I think he has the talent to do so.
Also in regards to your defenders of Moore, Thursfield and McGuane if you can get games from Polak it will even more strengthen your defense.
Honestly I can only see their disposal as the reason why they would not make the finals, they have a potential super midfield, a promising defense and a dangerous forward line…
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March 23rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I really think that Nathan Brown has not done anything much since leaving the bulldogs, he is now over-rated and needs to improve big time or he should think about whats best for the club and leave.
i still think that Wallace will thake the tigers absolutely no where and as long as he is at the club they will be no more than a team who fails to make a grand final (just like the bulldogs did when he coached them)
hopefully ben cousins is a rehabilitated man and can get back to playing some good footy
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March 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Agree that Wallace is a waste of coaching space, he recruited bad (did not pick up Franklin etc) and his team really should have experienced finals before possibly this year. I look at Hawthorn and Richmond and they were both around the same time starting their rebuilding and Hawks have played in finals twice and won last years premiership. Richmond???
To be fair to N Brown, he was playing brilliant before his leg snapped, yes its taken a while for him to return to his former pre injury best (and Bulldogs best)..
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