I think Neita and Rhino are both right. If you had to say which team -Richmond or Melbourne- had a better chance of winning the premiership in 2009, you'd go with Richmond. But neither have a realistic chance, and in a few years time all of Richmond's key players will be gone with no clear replacements in sight (not saying they dont have some good kids, but they dont have ready replacements for Richo, Brown etc), while Melbourne at least have a core group of players coming through at about the same time.

Richmond arent the worst side in the AFL right now, but their list is probably in the worst shape.

Sheeds is waiting for THE PHONE CALL.... has his clip board packed.

Well the Ben Cousins show what a fizzer. And he has pulled a hammy. Good bye Ben for the next 8 or so weeks. What will the Herald sun put on the front page now!!!???

Coach has had 5 years to put a list together and teach them skills Redleg. Who else to blame???

Ultimately the Coach will cop the blame. What I am saying is that senior AFL footballers can kick and handball yet when they consistently bugger it up it is not just coaching. Last year they finished with a real bang. Where was that side tonight?

There is no doubt, no finals no Terry. However I am sure that the Tigers are not that bad.

A note to Mitch Morton,

Please feel free to leave the rabble that is the Richmond Football Club behind, and join your brother at Melbourne. We have an awesome power point presentation to show you when you're ready :D

Sheeds is waiting for THE PHONE CALL.... has his clip board packed.

Others could be waiting as well, Matthews/Malthouse/Williams/ just to metion a few Names, apart from ones like, - Buckley/Scott/etal.

A note to Mitch Morton,

Please feel free to leave the rabble that is the Richmond Football Club behind, and join your brother at Melbourne. We have an awesome power point presentation to show you when you're ready :D

I'm sure we could offer a job fitting Eco-Friendly tires or some kind of AntiViralAmbassador position....

Geelong, Bulldogs next 2 rounds... Good luck Tezza.

Remind me who they play after the Bulldogs in what will probably be the new coach's first game as coach of the Toigs.

Carlton had 21 contributors, and Chris Johnson.

Carlton had 21 contributors, and Chris Johnson.

He will never make there best 22. Live up now Chis, you may have player in font of 85,000 tonight, but the rest of the year most of your time will be in fron of a few hundred in the VFL

AntiViralAmbassador position....

That sounds a lot dirtier than it probably should

And yet they"ll still beat us by 40 points.

Grow up.

Maybe a few could stop relishing another players injuries.......

A note to Mitch Morton,

Please feel free to leave the rabble that is the Richmond Football Club behind, and join your brother at Melbourne. We have an awesome power point presentation to show you when you're ready :D

Feel for Raines & Cousins to some degree in their comebacks. But that's where it ends.

Terry Wallace. Tsk. Tsk.

Whilst I agree with Redleg just a fraction, that Richmond are better than what they served up. You can only be as good as the opposition allow you to be. Carlton were fantastic. The 'Crew' down at VISY have been quietly confident regarding their match against Richmond all week. And it showed.

Back onto Terry Wallace. This bloke has been spruiking that this season is the year to make the 8. He's been looking forward to the fruits of his labour this season. 5 years in the making it's been. Whilst it still is only Round 1. An 83 point drubbing, followed by upcoming games against Geelong (S), and the Bulldogs. It's not exactly the start you want with your sights on the 8. The Tiger supporters already know that.

Round 4 will be interesting, in more ways than one. Unfortunately Cousins won't be available.

Why not?

Richmond's list in terms of personal might not seem that bad, but they'll never win a premiship as it is to uneven. Basically there older players are going to be gone before there younger brigade e.g. Cotchin, Delidio and co come through. Melbourne is much closer to winning a premiship than Richmond, thus they have the worse team in the league.

What exactly have Melbourne proven to date?

Neither side has any realistic chance of a premiership this year. And neither have any real form beyond hope in future years.

Both sides have big question marks on their lists. However going forward I would prefer to be in MFC's position than Richmond's.

Richmond are hardly the worst list in the AFL. They are certainly along way from the best.

Wallet has had 5 years to build a list capable of competing in the finals. Its got all the hallmarks of a trainwreck. Its a bad start but I wont write them off yet. But the Punt Rd drums will start beating a little louder for the coach, the medical staff and many of the players.

But Mitch Morton looks a good player. I hope his brother Cale is twice as good.

Whilst I agree with Redleg just a fraction, that Richmond are better than what they served up. You can only be as good as the opposition allow you to be. Carlton were fantastic.

I would sack a coach if he ever made such a meek or unaccountable assessment of a performance like that.

How about the opposition is only as good as you let them be?

Round 4 will be interesting, in more ways than one. Unfortunately Cousins won't be available.

We dont know where MFC will stand in all this. We have not done a thing to date beyond supporters hope. The loss of Cousins will be a cruel blow for the Tigers and better for us.

But MFC have to step up over the next 4 weeks.

Carlton won because they had more players around the ground who were prepared to put their bodies on the line, they forced Richmond into errors and they reaped the benefits.

I thought for a bloke who was clearly not 100% fit Fev's game was awesome, he set their win up with their opening goal. I loved his attack on the defenders, if Watts could add that type of desperation to his game I'll be very pleased.

Carlton won because they had more players around the ground who were prepared to put their bodies on the line, they forced Richmond into errors and they reaped the benefits.

I thought for a bloke who was clearly not 100% fit Fev's game was awesome, he set their win up with their opening goal. I loved his attack on the defenders, if Watts could add that type of desperation to his game I'll be very pleased.

I'm stunned at how little people talk about Fev. For mine he's easily the best genuine Full Forward running around. And to outclass Lloyd, who will go down as one of the greats, with the midfield he has delivering it to him, I reckon is stunning. I get that Brown is the complete package, and Buddy is a freak, but both those guys strike me as more the rangy CHF types. Fev is so rarely towelled up, so rarely beaten... Even considering the fact he's a world-class peanut, he's still an out-and-out elite forward.

I doubt Watts will be that kind of player though. I think, given the small amount of footage we've seen of him, he's more of the Hird type. His contested marking is so clever and effective. Less Fev-like brute force, more calculating footy smarts and body placement. Which is not to say he won't be a star, just that I doubt he'll be the freight-train style KP forward Fev is.

And yet they"ll still beat us by 40 points.

Grow up.

Thoughtful post, Fat. One of your better ones.

I'm not sure if terry will go 1st. I think mark williams will be lucky to see the mid season break. I saw an interview with him and he has a clause written in that he must be informed 6mths before his contract is due to expire that the PA FC must advise him of their intentions for a new contract. This falls mid season. PA is in big financil trouble, there is a new board so I would suggest it is highly likely that mid season he will be told no to a new contract. That then leaves the club in a position of having a coach coaching that knows he will not be there next year. Unlikely. So prediction - Bye Bye to MW 1st and Terry will be given until the tigers are no longer a chance of making the finals.

I'm stunned at how little people talk about Fev. For mine he's easily the best genuine Full Forward running around. And to outclass Lloyd, who will go down as one of the greats, with the midfield he has delivering it to him, I reckon is stunning. I get that Brown is the complete package, and Buddy is a freak, but both those guys strike me as more the rangy CHF types. Fev is so rarely towelled up, so rarely beaten... Even considering the fact he's a world-class peanut, he's still an out-and-out elite forward.

I doubt Watts will be that kind of player though. I think, given the small amount of footage we've seen of him, he's more of the Hird type. His contested marking is so clever and effective. Less Fev-like brute force, more calculating footy smarts and body placement. Which is not to say he won't be a star, just that I doubt he'll be the freight-train style KP forward Fev is.

Good post, I completely agree. Something I'd like to add is that Fev has a fantastic kicking style, which is Buddy's one weakness.

I thought for a bloke who was clearly not 100% fit Fev's game was awesome, he set their win up with their opening goal. I loved his attack on the defenders, if Watts could add that type of desperation to his game I'll be very pleased.

I don't think we have seen enough of JW to suggest he doesn't have that as part of his game do we?

I'm stunned at how little people talk about Fev. For mine he's easily the best genuine Full Forward running around.

When his minds right and he is not leaning on a fence.... agree.

Fev is so rarely towelled up, so rarely beaten... Even considering the fact he's a world-class peanut, he's still an out-and-out elite forward.

There is no doubt that Fev's skills when applied produce results that push him toward elite. However his career has been pot holed by some of the most rank displays of immaturity, stupidity and selfishness that have made him often more a chump than a champ. In many cases Fev beats himself.

Both Buddy and Fev are good full forwards. Franklin cannot be discounted as CHF. CHFs dont kick 100+goals in a season. The gaping difference between Fev's best and his worst will always make a Fev an enigma.

It would be nice if Jack Watts was as good if not better than Fev and psychologically about 20 years older too!

I don't think we have seen enough of JW to suggest he doesn't have that as part of his game do we?

When his minds right and he is not leaning on a fence.... agree.

It's a fair assessment of his junior days, however how he develops as an AFL player, who knows?

Richmond is pathetic. Unbelievably poor skills, which is closely followed by a dumb coach who insists on a game plan that does not suit his charges. You can't play possession football when you can't kick the ball 15m to a target.

Richo looked like he was going to burst into tears last night. I feel somewhat sorry for him.

I wonder if Terry made sure benny had plenty of ice

It had to be said