Lord Nev

Mate, the Tigers have admitted they were fighting, how do you think Bolton broke his wrist?

That's not what it said, that's how you took it. See above.

That's not what it said. It said "their culture are trash". Regardless of 'defending a female', punching on in a nightclub is not grown up behaviour nor a sign of good culture. There's plenty of examples over the last few years that indicate their off field culture is poor.

That's the one side of the story that has been granted media coverage so far. You're the one making assumptions that it's the full and correct story and is all as black and white (or black and yellow) as Richmond FC Inc. have made out. Juicebox is right to say you put yourself in risk of serious consequences when you decide violence is the way to deal with issues like this. Ask Patrick Cronin's family.

It's not a problem while we're winning, but it has the potential to become a reason we lose if we don't balance it up a bit. We don't have to dominate, but would be helpful to at least break even. We can't take things for granted, should May, Lever or Salem get injured or lose form it all of a sudden could become a big problem.

Ripper bloke, loved by his teammates, will always try hard.

Not really that interested in 'what ifs'. You could go back to his turnovers and holding the balls in the first half and say they cost us too. As I said, I thought he lifted in the second half and I don't think he'll be dropped. IMO some people might have been seduced by how much they saw him rather than what he actually did with it. He'll be better for the run, but the fawning over his game is over the top.

But... this thread is all about centre clearances....?

IMO you can't judge it accurately by total clearance differential because there will be different amounts of clearances in every game, and also we're specifically looking at centre clearances. For mine, team v opponent averages is the most accurate picture and Richmond were smack bang in the middle for that over the last 4 years. I wasn't arguing that break even is fine, I agree with that mate, just that I don't think the stats back up your assertion that Richmond were "bottom or near bottom" for centre clearances.

Richmond Center Clearances v Opponent Averages 2017 - 2nd 2018 - 15th 2019 - 11th 2020 - 8th That's an average of 9th, I wouldn't call that "bottom or near bottom of that table".

Goody also said: ""That means you're sucking up a lot of territory, so it's an area of our game we have to get better. We'll look at that, learn and get better, but it's important to get that right, you give up a lot of territory and have to move the ball from your back half, and that's not how we want to play." "It's an area we have to get better at. It's a big part of our game and lot of teams' games, so we have to get better at it."

There's also an article about this very thing from last night. https://www.afl.com.au/news/609197/the-concerning-stat-worrying-undefeated-demons-coach

It's not a new problem, we've been trending this way for a while. MFC Centre Clearances 2018 - 1st 2019 - 2nd 2020 - 13th 2021 - 17th Team v Opponent Averages 2018 - 1st 2019 - 3rd 2020 - 12th 2021 - 16th

Not 100% sure I follow the logic here... Presumably you're dropping Melksham for lack of pressure, yet you're saying play Petracca there to give him a 'light week'. Then you're saying we need 'more pressure and run' in the forward line. I would like to see either Sparrow or (fingers crossed) Viney in for grunt/clearances etc, but I don't think Melksham out and Trac forward to 'rest' is much of a chance to happen.

Nowhere did I say he'd be dropped, in fact I clearly stated I thought he wouldn't be. Have a good one.

24 of his 31 disposals were handballs, yet he had 6 clangers and 5 turnovers. His first half was very poor. Off the pace, poor decisions, caught trying to do too much. He lifted in the second half. I don't need to re-watch it just because I disagree with you.

"Fantastic" is overcooking it, but I don't think he'll be dropped.

No change unless soreness/injury requires it. I'm not usually a fan of the old 'managed' games, but a fair few blokes looked sore during or after that one. Will be interesting to see if we manage a few now that we're near mid-season.

Pre-bandage Harmes was horrible. Poor decisions. Post-bandage Harmes better. Perhaps the head bandage changed his mindset? Bit in that.

I think Sparrow brings more of what we miss with Viney out - Tackles, one percenters, clearances, contested possessions etc - than Harmes does. Sure, Harmes provides a little more forward of the ball, but with Melksham, Petracca, Kozzy, ANB and Jordon in; what do we need more from a balance perspective? I would argue we missed the Viney 'tough stuff' in the first half last week than we did half forward types. Also not sure this is the week we're desperately crying out for a specialist tagger.

This is a clanger even by your lofty standards.

100%. Always though of him as a bit of a Viney Jnr, so good opportunity for him to maybe spend more time that kind of role, rather than bits and pieces. Think we missed a bit of that tone-setting aggression Viney brings on the weekend.

Sparrow a very good chance this week you'd think... Richardson: “He was the best player on the ground by some margin."

Sure, but they also didn't have TMac, Gawn and Jackson in the Casey team with them. It's about the overall balance, particularly given we play a forward pressure game, not just about how 2 players work together. Context.