FFFX: Richmond 2009

[carn tigez]

Round 1 Preview: Richmond v Carlton​

Teams
F: Betts - Fevola - Houlihan
B: Thursfield - Polak - Newman

HF: Murphy - Waite - Fisher
HB: Jackson - Schulz - Tambling

C: Scotland - Stevens - Gibbs
C: Johnson - Cousins - Tuck

HB: Russell - Cloke - Bentick
HF: Bowden - Richardson - Morton

B: S.O'Hailpin - Thornton - C.Johnson
F: Connors - Hughes - N.Brown

R: Kruezer - Judd - Walker
R: Simmonds - Deledio - Foley

I/C: Simpson - Wiggins - Bentley - Hadley
I/C: Thomson - Pattison - McMahon - Cotchin​

Odds
Carl - $2.00
Rich - $1.70


The Teams: Both sides are coming into this match with full strength sides. Both forward lines appear to be stronger than their opposing back lines, which suggests that this will be a high scoring affair. The game will be won in the middle where both sides are very good. Richmond have the upper hand in the ruck with All-Australian ruckman Simmonds, but Judd, Murphy, Stevens and Gibbs are more than a match for Cotchin, Foley, Deledio and Cousins.

Key Players
Carlton: Carlton will be relying on star forward Brendan Fevola to kick a bag as he does in nearly every game they win. Judd will also be a key in getting the ball to him out of the centre.

Richmond: The Tigers will once again hope for Matthew Richardson to dominate like he did all last season, but unlike the last 10-15 years they no longer rely on him. More important for the Tigers will be the performance of goalsneak Nathan Brown, and also Polak and Thursfield to stop Fev from kicking a bag.

The Verdict: The two times these sides met last year resulted in a win each, both by 30 points. On paper it is very hard to split the two, but Richmond have more depth and should get the 4 points. This promises to be a cracking game of footy.

 

[Roofrom50]

Good to see another footy story happening on PC at the moment. This is a good story to follow, as Cousins i rekon will give a lot to this club. It should be a belter of a contest.

But i am going to have to go with the Blues to win this match, as they have too much power in the midfield, and with Fev, Betts, Fisher and Waite, they should be too strong up forward too

 

[carn tigez]

Tigers Win Scappy Encounter​

Richmond have started off their 2009 season in ideal fashion with a comfortable, albeit scrappy, 20 point win over the Blues.

Carlton scored the first goal of the match with just 8 minutes left in the opening term, but the Tigers then woke up and in the final 6 minutes kicked 3 goals to none to lead by 9 at the first break. Inaccurate kicking cost the Blues in the quarter as they finished with 1.5.

Another uneventful quarter followed the first in which Richmond outscored their opponents 2.3 to 1.4 to lead by 14 points at the main break, in a very low scoring affair.

Daniel Jackson opened the scoring with a major in the third quarter, but then Fevola kicked 2 in two minutes and the game was back alive, with Richmond in front by just 9 points. Richmond steadied though and kicked the last through Schulz, to go into the final break with a 19 point lead, which in the context of the game was more than handy.

The Blues were never in the hunt in the final term and Richmond finished well, kicking 3.4 to 3.3 to come out on top with a 20 point win in the opening round of the season.

The Tigers would have been impressed with the performance of Newman in his first game as skipper as he racked up 37 possessions off half back in a best on ground performance. Nathan Brown was back to his best as he slotted home 4 majors, and Richard Tambling looked very comfortable in the midfield and gathered 27 disposals. Will Thursfield was moved on to Fevola halfway through the third term and did a fantastic job, keeping him to 0 goals and just 2 possessions. Troy Simmonds injured his left ACL and may miss the rest of the season in a major blow for Richmond's finals hopes.

For Carlton, Jarred Waite was great across half back where he managed 27 disposals, and Brendan Fevola looked dangerous up forward and finished with 3 goals. Marc Murphy was good without being great and finished the game with 26 possessions.

This win was predicted by most but nonetheless the Tiger faithful would be very happy with their side's round one performance. Up against fellow up and comers the Blues the Tigers worked very hard, especially with Troy Simmonds injured for nearly all of the game. The captain led from the front and despite Richo's poor performance they still managed to have a win, something that would not have happened in previous years. Up against a superstar Geelong side next week Richmond will have to be at their best to be any chance of winning.


Richmond - 3.2.20 - 5.5.35 - 7.10.52 - 10.14.74
Carlton - 1.5.11 - 2.9.21 - 4.9.33 - 7.12.54

Goals
Richmond: Brown 4, Schulz 2, Jackson, Deledio, Morton, Connors
Carlton: Fevola 3, Bentick, Russell, Fisher, Waite

Best
Richmond: Newman, Brown, Bowden, Tambling, Johnson, Schulz
Carlton: Waite, Murphy, Kruezer, Fevola, Johnson, Russell

 

[Roofrom50]

I love the write up mate, it's outstanding

Good win their for the Tigers, and to get a win in the first match of the season will be a real confidence booster for them. Some good signs with Newman and Browny both playing blinders, but some bad news with Simmonds going down and may miss the rest of the season with a ACL.

Richo played poorly too Never seen that before.
Good to see Cousins come through the game fairly, and picking up 13 touches, in a good hitout at the G

 

[Roofrom50]

Too bad this result wasn't the same as last night ey mate

 

[carn tigez]

Too bad this result wasn't the same as last night ey mate

I would swap the results anyday. tweaking Richmond the ****en hacks

 

[Roofrom50]

But lucky you still have Cuz and Raines for the next month in this story, unlike the real season
Whens the next update???

 

[carn tigez]

Might be never, after playing TAR I defintely prefer it and have been playing that more. If I play a few games then i'll start a TAR story, as long as I know I will continue it.

 

[Roofrom50]

That sucks man, hope you can start a TAR story.

 

[carn tigez]

That sucks man, hope you can start a TAR story.

Yeah I have on Bigfooty, using that as a test run and if I enjoy it I'll post it here. I think I will though, I've already done 2 games and they were practice matches which I usually cbf with so it's good signs.

 

[Roofrom50]

Sounds good mate, hope it continues over here

 

[carn tigez]

Tigers Promote Rookie​

Richmond have promoted promising rookie Cam Howat onto the senior list as ruckman Troy Simmonds is out for the season.

The promotion has sparked speculation that the Tigers will bring the much maligned Howat into the side for their round 2 clash against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

Coach Terry Wallace said that although they lost a ruckman, the coaching staff saw no need to promote one as they had plenty on the senior list "Troy will be a huge loss for us, there's no doubt about it. But we showed last week that we can win without him and this week we'll expect no different. Cam has earned his spot and will be given every opportunity to break into the side."

Geelong will be confident coming into the round 2 clash having defeated reigning premiers Hawthorn by 43 points in their round one encounter.

carn tigez added 25 Minutes and 18 Seconds later...

Round 2 Preview: Richmond v Geelong @ SS​

Teams
F: Kelly - Ottens - Stokes
B: Thursfield - Polak - Newman

HF: S.Johnson - Mooney - Rooke
HB: Jackson - Schulz - Tambling

C: Corey - Ablett - Selwood
C: Johnson - Cousins - Coughlan

HB: Enright - Harley - Milburn
HF: Bowden - Richardson - Morton

B: Taylor - Scarlett - Wojcinski
F: Connors - Hughes - N.Brown

R: Blake - Bartel - Ling
R: Pattison - Deledio - Foley

I/C: Mackie - Hunt - Tenace - Byrnes
I/C: Thomson - Vickery - McMahon - Cotchin​

Richmond
In: Vickery, Coughlan
Out: Simmonds (Left ACL), Tuck (ommitted)

Geelong
In: Hunt, Tenace
Out: Chapman (ommitted), Lonergan (ommitted)

Odds
Geel - $1.30
Rich - $3.30


The Teams: Richmond's side is heavily weakened by the absence of Troy Simmonds. Pattison will step in as the number one ruck and he will be ok, but Vickery as the back up ruck is a big weak link which the Cats should expose. Two of Geelong's better forwards in Chapman and Lonergan have been dropped following poor performances in last week's game against the Hawks.

Key Players
Geelong: Matthew Scarlett will be important for Geelong, if Richo gets away from him it might prove fatal. He should be given that job as he is their best key defender, and Harley or Taylor shouldn't have any trouble keeping Hughes quiet. Gary Ablett should be able to dominate for the Cats and if he gets more than 40 disposals the game will go their way.

Richmond: Richmond will need a very good performance from Pattison if they are to win this match against the odds. He will be up against two very good ruckmen and will need to break even in the hitouts really for the Tigers to be any chance against the Cats' superior midfield. This week Richo will be important for the Tigers as their lesser key forwards will be easily subdued by the Cats' backline, however he has the skill to get on top and kick a bag.

The Verdict: Geelong will be too good around the stoppages for Richmond. Their skills are of a better standard and they have a very versatile side, so they will not have trouble finding an avenue to goal. Richmond will put up a fight but for me it will be Geelong by 28 points.

 

[carn tigez]

Cats Too Good for Fighting Tigers​

Geelong have given Richmond a reality check in their round 2 meeting at Skilled Stadium. The Cats were on top all day and ran out winners by 40 points against a disappointing Richmond outfit.

The Tigers kept it fairly even for most of the first term until the Cats broke away in the last 10 minutes to lead by 11 at the first break.

Geelong then dominated the second quarter and booted the only 3 goals for the term, to lead the Tigers by 31 points in a low scoring affair at half time.

Richmond came out firing in the third quarter and kicked 5 of the first 7 goals to narrow the lead to just 15 points. However Geelong kicked 2 of the next 3 and had their lead back out to 21 points at the final change, but Richmond had fought themselves back into the contest with that 6 goal quarter.

Geelong never let Richmond get a sniff in the final term as they kicked 5.4 to 2.3 and ended up winners by 40 points. The result was around average for both sides, and it was generally expected that this would be roughly the end margin.

Graham Polak was dangerous up forward for the Tiges booting 4.2 in the 3 quarters he was there. Richard Tambling was very good again while Jordan McMahon provided run and carry off half back. Richo got 21 disposals but had 6 clangers in a game he would rather forget.

Bartel was terrific gathering 35 disposals and ABlett got 33 touches, combining to prove a determining factor in the end result. Richmond were unable to find an answer for Geelong's small forwards as Byrnes and Johnson both booted 4 goals, as well as gathering 22 and 29 disposals respectively.


Richmond - 1.4.10 - 1.7.13 - 7.8.50 - 9.11.65
Geelong - 3.3.21 - 6.8.44 - 10.11.71 - 15.15.105

Goals
Richmond: Polak 4, Morton 2, Richardson, Cotchin, Brown
Geelong: Byrnes 4, Johnson 4, Stokes 3, Ablett 2, Tenace, Bartel

Best
Richmond: Polak, Richardson, McMahon, Schulz, Tambling, Connors
Geelong: Bartel, Ablett, Johnson, Byrnes, Scarlett, Stokes

 

[Roofrom50]

Good thing about that result is, that your having different goal kickers every week. One week it's Morton getting up and kicking 3-4, next it's Riewoldt, then out comes Polak from the backline to play forward and kicking 4

 

[carn tigez]

Tigers Promote Another Rookie​

Richmond have promoted their second rookie for the 2009 season with young up-and-comer Robin Nahas elevated. The decision comes as Jay Schulz injured his shoulder at training and is expected to miss 8 weeks.

Nahas will not play in the Tigers round 3 clash with Geelong according to club officials, but he will be given the chance to earn a spot in the senior side within the next 8 weeks.

However Terry Wallace was keen to emphasise the point that Nahas will not be gifted a senior game "Robin has put in the hard yards and has performed at training. He is yet to show considerable form at Coburg and until he does that he will not get a game in the seniors. We have a side capable of making finals this year and a key to that is making each and every player earn their spot every week."

Richmond will be keen to go to a 2-1 win-loss record in this week's round 3 clash against the Bulldogs.

carn tigez added 15 Minutes and 58 Seconds later...

Round 3 Preview: Richmond v Western Bulldogs @ TD​

Teams
F: Eagleton - Murphy - Hill
B: Thursfield - Polak - Newman

HF: Griffen - Skipper - Harbrow
HB: Jackson - Bowden - Tambling

C: Akermanis - Cross - Boyd
C: Johnson - Cousins - Coughlan

HB: Hargrave - Wight - Hahn
HF: Pettifer - Richardson - Morton

B: Everitt - Lake - Gilbee
F: Connors - Hughes - N.Brown

R: Minson - Cooney - Giansiracusa
R: Pattison - Deledio - Thomson

I/C: Addison - Higgins - Morris - Ward
I/C: Riewoldt - Howat - McMahon - Cotchin​

Richmond
In: Pettifer, Howat, Riewoldt
Out: Schulz (shoulder), Vickery (ommitted), Foley (ommitted

Western Bulldogs
In: Nil
Out: Nil

Odds
WB - $2.10
Rich - $1.60


The Teams: Richmond have made 3 changes to the side that lost to Geelong last week. Schulz was the only forced ommission with Foley and Vickery also making way for Riewoldt, Pettifer and Howat to come in after all 3 played great games for Coburg last week. Riewoldt will give them an extra option up forward, while Pettifer and Howat are both small forwards who are capable of kicking a bag. These changes should benefit the Tigers and puts them in better shape than they were in last week, although they lack a variety in tall defenders with Bowden forced to start at centre-half back.

The Bulldogs have made no changes to their side from last week which were comfortable winners over North Melbourne after a round one loss to Fremantle.

Key Players
Bulldogs: Daniel Giansiracusa has averaged 32 disposals a game in the first 2 matches this season for the Dogs. They don't really rely on anyone up forward, however they have a very good small forward line up. Aker and Murphy could need to both kick bags for the Bulldogs to win this one in the absence of star forward Brad Johnson.

Richmond: Richmond will rely on Richard Tambling to once again get a lot of the ball as he uses it very well. Last week their midfield didn't fire so that will need to change for them to stand a chance this game. Richo has started the season with 2 below par games and it wouldn't really surprise if he was to kick a bag, although Brian Lake will probably match up on him and has stopped him before.

The Verdict: Richmond are coming in on the back of a disappointing loss to the Cats while the Dogs had a good win over North Melbourne. Both sides are sitting at 1-1 and will want to go to 2-1 so it will be a very hard fought and high intensity match. Richmond will probably have too much firepower up forward but a lot will come down to their midfield as the Dogs are definitely stronger in that area. Tigers by 17.