I'm at a complete loss is to how Richmond have made the grand final. Good on them, but at the start of the year I had them pencilled in for bottom 4 with the list that they had. Castagna, Butler, Macintosh, Broad, Graham, Townsend, Grimes, Grig, Lambert, Vlastuin, Caddy etc. All these blokes played in a prelim and if any one of those players walked through the doors at the start of the year for the Dees, I would be laughing at the fact we recruited another depth player. Yet, all of them played in a side against quality opposition that won them a Grand Final berth. 

Is it just the fast manic pressure around the ground? Is this the new meta and way to play where you just have an abundance of small fast blokes who cause contest after contest, kick the ball wildly into your forward to just either mark or bring the ball to the ground then have all your forwards pounce and kick crumbling goals? 

I have no idea how Richmond have made it into the Grand Final with at least 8-9 players on their list I wouldn't have in my best 22, but it has paid off for them. 

5 minutes ago, juzzk1d said:

 

Is it just the fast manic pressure around the ground? Is this the new meta and way to play where you just have an abundance of small fast blokes who cause contest after contest, kick the ball wildly into your forward to just either mark or bring the ball to the ground then have all your forwards pounce and kick crumbling goals? 

This ^^

Single minded attack on the footy, run, numbers at the contest, no easy possession for the opposition

Hardwick has built a cohesive team by building belief and relationships with his players and when this happens, discretionary effort happens - above and beyond

Carn Crows

20 hours ago, SFebey said:

Hate to say it but Richmond drew a line in the sand and their leaders/club now stand for something....compared to our soft underbelly. It's hard to see whos going to stand up in the circle and draw the line for the Dee's, pip squeaked voice Jones (who goes missing when it counts) or Viney the kid. Has Lewis been around the club long enough? We lack leadership to go the next step IMO

People have short memories, only 12mths ago the footy world were asking for the coaches head & their captains leadership was questioned. Time will tell but can't question the leadership shown by Viney & Jones has done well 

Just now, Hogan2014 said:

People have short memories, only 12mths ago the footy world were asking for the coaches head & their captains leadership was questioned. Time will tell but can't question the leadership shown by Viney & Jones has done well 

I've always questioned Jones' leadership, Viney has already shown more leadership in his short time than Jones ever has.

1 hour ago, Hogan2014 said:

Time will tell but can't question the leadership shown by Viney & Jones has done well 

Not sure if serious

1 hour ago, juzzk1d said:

I'm at a complete loss is to how Richmond have made the grand final. 

The worse team to make a grand final in last twenty years.

21 minutes ago, 3Dee said:

The worse team to make a grand final in last twenty years.

Equals Graham Teasdale winning a Brownlow

 

St Kilda have the same game plan as Richmond - I guess Richmond are luckier that they don't turn it over as easily and often as St Kilda, plus they have Dusty, Cotchin and Rance. Saints don't really have anyone in that class.

45 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

St Kilda have the same game plan as Richmond - I guess Richmond are luckier that they don't turn it over as easily and often as St Kilda, plus they have Dusty, Cotchin and Rance. Saints don't really have anyone in that class.

It was "One in All in" on Saturday

was amazing to watch

Richmond are in the Grand Final because they play harder for longer than 16 other teams. I can't believe people are putting this down to luck or the draw. 

In a competition where there is nothing between most teams, almost every game is decided by work rate, effort and intensity. Richmond had a couple of poor games (Adelaide & St Kilda), but have turned up basically every game. They also don't just disappear for a quarter or a half like Melbourne did this season.

Full credit to Hardwick & his coaching staff for (a) getting the entire list on the same page, and (b) for implementing a game plan that suits his list perfectly. Goodwin needs to look at that second point over the off season.

For what it's worth, I think Adelaide's scoring power will be too much for Richmond to beat, but I'm hoping for a good game in what has been a very ordinary finals series.

31 minutes ago, poita said:

Richmond are in the Grand Final because they play harder for longer than 16 other teams. I can't believe people are putting this down to luck or the draw. 

In a competition where there is nothing between most teams, almost every game is decided by work rate, effort and intensity. Richmond had a couple of poor games (Adelaide & St Kilda), but have turned up basically every game. They also don't just disappear for a quarter or a half like Melbourne did this season.

Full credit to Hardwick & his coaching staff for (a) getting the entire list on the same page, and (b) for implementing a game plan that suits his list perfectly. Goodwin needs to look at that second point over the off season.

For what it's worth, I think Adelaide's scoring power will be too much for Richmond to beat, but I'm hoping for a good game in what has been a very ordinary finals series.

Disagree there, they've been kissed on the dick with injuries this year, that severely helps their cause.

They are quick, they put the ball into space and back their speed to get it.  Around the contest it is get the ball going forward at all cost, very similar to the Bulldogs last year.  Other clubs want to keep the ball and get it into the right position before going forward, their speed allows them to keep pressure on the player with the ball so you don't get that clear possession. 

How do you beat them, follow Port Melbournes game plan attack them continue to run at them create the over lap and lower your eyes going forward, hit the lead up rather than kick to contest.  This is why Adelaide will win the forwards lead up at the ball, not a massive contested marking side up forward but have players that work hard to present at the ball

On 9/24/2017 at 11:12 AM, DV8 said:

Speedy nippy smalls can crack the zones open like an egg. And pressure the defence setups, as long as the smalls actually tackle & bring down the opponents.

Instant changes of direction, steering around the witches hats.

That Rioli  goes alright eh. Shame we couldn't have got him ............