Mike

I'm so excited about picking this kid up. He's going to terrify opposition defenders. I reckon the comparisons to Cyril are bang on.

2 hours ago, hardtack said:

But Mike, we aren’t discussing the toxic culture in the West are we?

I suppose the subtext of my comment was that Bennell and Murray are not likely to drag the club down, but may well take the opportunity thrown at them in the form of a lifeline from the MFC, and finally concentrate on their football.  

I think that May, Jones, Gawn, Hibberd, Lever, Jetta, Viney etc make a pretty good support group, not to mention the coaching and fitness people. I like to think it’s a win/win situation.. the club gains two very talented players, and two very talented players are given one last chance to prove themselves.

I don't think any organisation is immune honestly. We've only just come good after the work done by Jackson, Roos etc so I think it's just a case of being fresh in the mind where we've come from. I think you're right though in that we have good leaders so hopefully it works out well and we can turn this into a real coup.

2 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

These assumptions frustrate me - purely from an employment perspective - why would a club (Melbourne or other) entertain employing someone if they don't care... he clearly cares.

Yeah I'm sure the club has done it's due diligence and I guess that's the point of him training with the club to prove himself. I just think he has a checkered past and has had a few chances already at the age of 27. I hope as much as any other Dees fan that he comes good. Fingers crossed.

12 hours ago, TGR said:

I see what your saying, and am not disagreeing at all.  Our predicament (building a slow list) has forced us to look where others fear to tread; and we have no choice but to gamble.

What I would add is that there are many 'finger-pointers' with good reputations that I think don't necessarily add to culture either.  Lewis, and Melksham were serial offenders.  Clarry's go at Fritsch may have been isolated, but he learnt from the best.

Roos' no-DH policy might have won him a flag at Sydney, but it might of cost Melbourne Toby Green for a "packet of chips".

 

 

Culture just isn't about getting guys in that are good solid citizens.  Did Lewis really buy into the red and blue?  I doubt it.  It was Hawthorn, Roughy, Buddy, daylight, then Melbourne.  With Melky, it is Melky, Melky, Melky, daylight, then Melbourne.

With Frost, I saw a guy bleed for the jumper.

 

Just reading it from afar; but that is my perception.

Definitely a fair point TGR. We need to being bold with improving the club.

I guess I would argue that there's nothing wrong with bringing in fierce competitors that toe the line, like Melky, Lewis and co. But Bennell hasn't shown anything so far that suggests he cares enough about footy. Maybe he's turned a corner? I really hope so and if he does join then I'll be crossing my fingers.

20 hours ago, hardtack said:

Yeah, just look at how Dustin Martin dragged the Tigers down with him and his poor culture.

That's one example though. And I would say that's an example of how strong the culture of the Richmond FC is already.

How would you rate the Fremantle football club though? Why do you think Lachie Neale was so desperate to get out and go to Brisbane? I have a family member that works in the media in WA and the culture at Freo became a mess under Lyon. Too many bad characters.

I reckon it'd be worth asking Freo fans if they think it was worth it.

It worries me that we're speaking with both Bennell and now Sam Murray and could potentially have both on our list soon. As much talent as they both have, culture is more important IMO. Only takes a few bad seeds to infect the club.

There's no excuse for May. He's turned up at a new club out of shape and is now paying the price with soft tissue injuries.

That little checked kick by Hunt to find a target inside 50. He looks on this season. Would have blazed away previously.

Feels like we have a lot of weapons in the forward half now. Preuss looks like a handful and throw Joel Smith in there, there's a lot for the coaching staff to work with on top of what we already had.

Hore has looked impressive.

Just now, Drunkn167 said:

That mark from Joel god damn

Little taste test of what we might get in the forward line this year. Jeremy Who?

Far out, that sent shivers down my spine. Might give up my morning coffee and just drink this down every day instead.

It feels like this preseason we've had way more guys starting slow and recovering from surgery, not to mention a few injuries thrown in. Anyone else concerned heading into the season? I've got a slightly uneasy feeling about it all. Hopefully I'm just being paranoid!

Just now, The Chazz said:

So, according to McLure, that makes May equal to Hogan.

He's a goose.

McLure is 100% a goose.

GC are quite right to play hard ball on May, but I'll be disappointed if we have to give up 5 to get him.

Bloody love Vanders. Great news!

On 9/27/2018 at 6:17 PM, rjay said:

Can play...he was really good early in his career.

Half back or wing with a bit of class.

Forget about the Kelly's of this world, this is exactly the type of trading we need to do.

Totally agree, this could be a genius move. I can see the media gushing over Jason Taylor and his team next season if it comes off.

6 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Yes, hope we keep Dean Kent. Valuable, tough, fast, accurate. 

I feel for the guy too. Had to put his body on the line a few times this year and it resulted in an injury. Pretty sure both times he'd just come back in and looked sharp. Our forward line looks super dangerous with him playing IMO.

I'm in the same boat as a few people here. I'm a Dees supporter living in Perth and would love to grab a couple of tix to make up some more numbers at the game this week. Not trying to dupe anyone and happy to try and prove it's all legit and honest intentions. If anyone has a membership number they can throw my way I'd be forever grateful.

Cameron Ling pointed out after the game that a lot of stuff was cut from Jones' on-field audio package because the club couldn't share anything confidential from the game plan. So that video is missing a lot of stuff. Having said that, bombing long down the line is a tactic Richmond were probably fully aware of so not show how confidential that is.

Who are our leaders on field? No one stood up. It was was just dumb football all round, no footy smarts. Hawthorn kept kicking it long the ground that whole 3rd quarter and we kept trying to pick it up. How hard is it to play wet weather footy?? Surely that would have to have been the message at half time.

We played dumb and got outworked. Pretty pathetic.

17 minutes ago, binman said:

How is his left foot kicking?

it is great to finally have a mid of Oliver's ability. Pure A grade. Now. Agree with your summation. One aspect i really love about is his aggression. Does not take a backward step and is the first in to fly the flag if one his team mates gets sniped. 

He is just such a natural footballer, one of the most natural i've ever seen. The fist goals he kicked was perfect example.  His collect and jink to the left to create space was so pure and instinctive. 

Th other thing he has going for him his height. 6'2 in the old makes for a very tough match up when he pushes forward. In 3 years time he will have put on 5 kgs of muscle and might even get a bit taller(he'll certainly fill out a bit). Frightening for the opposition. Imagine him and Trac in beast mode in 2021.

Clarry and Trac are gonna run riot. I love the fact that these guys are pushing each other to be better too. That competitiveness in the group is such a good thing to have.

17 hours ago, tiers said:

How bloody good was Clarry's first goal.

Running towards an awkwardly bouncing ball with his opponent right behind, having to change stride and pace to take clean possession of the ball, the acceleration away from the opponent and then the kick around the body at full pace straight through the goals.

If Danger or Dusty had done the same, the commentators would have wet themselves. Our Clarry does it naturally.

And now he is being compared to Diesel for his handball skills.

There are times when it's so good to be a Demon.

I'm so glad someone brought this up. That goal was amazing. Picked up a bouncing ball at speed and then turn and goal. This kid has got some serious talent! Super exciting.

Roosy made some interesting comments on The Couch this week (or maybe it was last week). He talked about how once a player is drafted, it's irrelevant once they're in the club. If they're in the best 22, pick em. If not they play reserves with no explanation required. It was in reference to Weitering being out of form for Carlton.

He pointed to Alex Rance as an example. Back before he was a star, he played his first season in the development league which is below VFL. It wasn't until his 4th or 5th season where he had a regular spot in the 22. I actually remember seeing Rance run around for Richmond early on thinking he looked pretty ordinary.

Need to ease off Weeds I reckon. Players develop at different stages aka Rance.

4 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

This is my concern.

Jacobs is the best tagger in the business, so what happens if he restricts Oliver to 15-20 touches?

Do we have enough midfield options to offset the possible loss of Oliver's influence?

I heard a footy expert (Leigh Matthews I think) say it's hard to tag someone like a Tom Mitchell because he does all his damage in tight. Ie winning inside ball and distributing. I think you could make a similar case for Oliver. He's not really bursting away from many packs. He's a contested possession beast and uses his fast hands to find a teammate.