Rhino Richards

Read my last post re development phases. Richmond have been re building for 5 years. The problem is they have not recruited well in that time and now have a patchy list IMO to take advantage of their aging stars. We are in early year 2 of that phase. We have cleaned out the champs of yesteryear who were critical to our success under ND, White, Neitz, Yze and Co. Big shoes to fill. We have a number of senior players in their twilight, Whelan, McDonald. Unlike Richmond we dont have stars at the moment. We need to develop them. We have some very good prospects coming through at the moment. It will take some time and patience. What were you expecting this year? Be hopeful but be realistic.

I dont. But that is not necessarily a condemnation of MFC but a recognition that Wallet is 5 years into a rebuild and I reckon he has built a list with holes. Its no wonder they canned and dismissed Greg Miller. I think we will better than Richmond given the same period. We are about 3 to 4 years behind them in the development cycle. Richmond are dependent on the following players: Richardson (34), Simmonds (31-32) and Bowden (31-32). There in the twilight and they dont have ready replacements for any of them. They lack on field and off field leadership. There selection of Cousins maybe a win or loss for them. Time will tell. There process to recruiting him and their handling of Polak was bizarre to say the least. Brown has not recovered from his terrible leg break and IMO the game is catching him out and his contribution limited. The next generation are young and promising with Deledio, Cotchin and Foley. However when the senior players go in a couple of years too much will be left up to them. Vickery will take 3 years to show whether he is a capable big man. I think the Tigers has mistimed their run to capitalise on Richo's and Simmonds final years. They may push the 8 put they could easily miss out. Its Wallet's final year and his possibly last role of the dice. Interesting to see what he does.

I recall him missing a few very gettable set shot ones last season. Given his overall 65% strike rate it makes those misses seem worse. He should have nailed. Other players are not being toted as forwards like he is.

He isn't. He missed a few sitters last year. He does not get alot of the ball. And if is not going to hurt the opposition when he has it then he is in trouble.

Correct. And he has missed a few from there before. People are seduced by his rather kicking style for a big man rather than the result. It was dead in front. Roughhead kick three goals in the same quarter from the boundary lines in either pockets. He is not a prime ruck choice behind Jamar and on last week's efforts Spencer is clearly better. He is not a great mark. Height is a limited value when you cant hurt the opposition overheard. He is fast for a big man....200cm rover?. He has alot of nice to have skills while not being prominent in the ones he needs to have to nail a position as his own. I would be hoping Spencer keeps improving. Meesen at the moment makes PJ look like Dean Cox.

no

My ideal forward line in 12-24 months time is still in the making but would have: Watts, Wona, Bate, another small, Morton/Sylvia, Jetta type Now Miller, Bate, Wona, Davey, Sylvia, Maric Its very much WIP and there are Fwd positions to be nailed over the coming season.

Completely agree. Well done 2 sheds. Its food for thought but will be missed by those that need to heed it the most.

Interesting post Petjud. I see the Sydney game as a perfect opportunity to playing all the fit and available AFL young recruits we have that have a chance of playing for MFC this year. This is what practice matches are for. I would use the last two prac games especially the last one for getting the side ready R1 against NM I am no fan of Newtons but given he has two years on the list I am prepared to see what he can actually give to MFC when his mind is on the job. Our scarcity of forward options dictates. If he repeats his custard like performances of recent then he is off to Gulag Casey quick smart. Possibly with Buckley, the footy departmen know what they will get with him and playing him might have meant omitting one of the players they want to trial. No Rivers out there??? Hmmm. That man needs all the AFL footy conditioning he can get. Definitely looking forward to seeing the young guns out there.

In a meaningless competition with contrived rules where the premier had a number of top players out. Hawthorn were capable opposition but not a reigning premier. I think you are more than a little over.....

Give the MFC Footy dept a call and ask them about that. They are desperate to access your self-esteemed nous. Then get over yourself. Others have.

The closer financially and otherwise the MFC is to the MCC the better. I hope its not a just a "section" of the MCC newsletter.

I dont rate Valenti and Jones played poorly. And you rate Valenti? Ask yourself why the MFC Footy Dept after looking closely at Valenti over a number of years have him as a rookie and have Jones on the main list. No better still, dont ask.

Unless Bartram can be improve his disposal and stop turning over the ball then I would expect and hope he is overtaken by better option on the list. If Bates playing forward, I see him as a 3rd or 4th option up forward and not a KPP.

Good post DD. I actually think the AFL is very concerned about the financial performance of a number of Clubs during the recession and not just NM and MFC. I would also add the MCC outcome to our strategic situation. Sponsor or no Sponsor, our future is in the hands of the MCC and AFL. Pity its been rather content free aside from DD's post. Maybe you have some profound insight into this beyond the opening tough talk.

Club Sponsors at two other clubs had indicated that they did not want Cousins representing their brand. Cousins is a media circus that comes with potential high end risks and well documented downside risks as well. In this whole saga including the Polak rehab, I am not sure Richmond has bathed itself in any off field glory whatsoever. FWIW, I think the Club has been pro active on getting the good news out in 2009. I note Supreme Demon posted about the Demons donating football gear and time to the Kinglake Demons. I further note not one poster offer recognition for the Club for the gesture. I guess its just easy to have an anonymous ping at the Club without the facts.

Its like comparing the NAB Cup to an AFL Flag. Shield for mine.

I'm not.

He has few tricks and isnt a great kick he wont make it as a ruckman either.

If you think Beazley gets what he deserves for "dobbing" think again. Beazley did those boys a favour given that gambling had taken over the lives and was on course to destroy them and their families financially. Thankfully Daniel Ward was given a 2nd chance to straighten his life. Very lucky. However, all bookies given the nature of their business and the scum it attracts, will always be of interest to the Police. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...68-2862,00.html

If ever there was a game for seeing where our new recruits are at this is the game. I'd best resting many of the senior players like Whelan, McDonald and Bruce and playing people like Bennell, Jetta, Bail and Blease before I would consider Valenti. If fit I would also play Moloney. Watts and Jurrah may be still underdone at this point but they would come under consideration. I would also consider platying Newton and Sylvia but with stern coach's warnings that they are playing for their careers over the coming weeks. Cheney - Frawley - Martin Rivers - Warnock - Garland Grimes - Moloney - Davey Morton - Miller - Bate Jetta - Zomer - Maric Spencer - Mclean - Strauss PJ/Petterd/Blease/Newton/Dunn/Buckley/Sylvia

I am but I am quite sure Mo isn't though.

What about "mediocrity"?

I dont have to Mo because its common knowledge that Man U have bought success through huge transfer and payments for recruits over a number of years. Your hatred of something blinds your judgement yet again. The target of Vidmar's tirade was elements in the Club not the Club. I have addressed that point.His outburst has only made those who decide his fate direct his fate. Its a pity as there may some truth in what he said. However his choice to make a heat of the moment outburst without forethought has left him sanctioned by FFA and with a rope around his coaching neck. Adelaide may bring about their problems. Vidmar only created his own problems and solved none of the Clubs If they lose the GF after losing the SF badly 6-0 does not the responsibility for performance reside with the coach in your eyes. Now what do you stand for Mo? Its the way you come across on the site.

Did you see him in those games last year? His effort or lack there of was nothing short of embarrassing. It begged the question whether he is serious about AFL. He was given a 2 year contract and has not repaid the faith well. He has not been starved of opportunity. Bizarrely he just cant get it into his head to grasp the huge opportunity he had been given. FFS last year Neitz fell away, Robbo got injured and Newts got himself suspended in the VFL. He has got the vigour for AFL of lukewarm custard. Yes I did. I started asking questions about the Class of 2003 in 2006 after three years of football. A number of the top 10 players were already showing signs that they weren't up to scratch. Ray, Bradley, Tenace and Dunn were all with big question marks. Cooney was talented but inconsistent. Sylvia was screwed by OP. It was not good signs. What would have been your alternative analysis to be done at that time Mo? Its part of the same group of players that you have tried to con people to say that the list in 2006 that beat St Kilda in the EF was the same as the list in 2007 and 2008. I noticed you did not respond on that one. Got exposed....again.