Richmond 2014 H&A discussion

[Ziplock]

Not expecting to beat Sydney but funnier things have happened.
Super proud of the boys regardless. Amazing fight back from 3-10 sitting in the bottom 3 to now being 11-10 in the 8 with 1 game left.
Whatever was going wrong earlier in the year, injuries, game plan, training standards etc have obviously all been addressed and if nothing else we at least have a lot to look forward to next year.

I agree to an extent. I'm definitely proud of the way we turned things around!

However... losing to Melbourne and Bulldogs, and missing the finals because of it, is completely inexcusable. So, because of that, I just can't be happy with this season unless we beat the Swans. There are other games that I'm not happy with but those two were the worst.

Certainly not excusing those performances but who knows, if we had of scraped over the line in those games it may have just band-aided the issues that were there. Like I said, whatever the issues were, they have now been addressed and corrected and we are playing like a top 4-6 club that most thought we should be this year.
Weather we scrape into the 8 or just miss out is irrelevant really. What will be rememberd is the turning point to what will hopefully be a more consistent successful era.
In saying that I will be over the moon if we can get over Sydney and make it. Will be the greatest run to the finals in the history of the game

Frankly, of you can't beat Sydney then there would have been no point of making finals anyway.

Huh?  ??? Not beating the top side in the comp would mean there's no point playing finals?

I think he's trying to say that there's no point in making finals if you can't win it all... and you can't win it all if you can't beat the best. Makes sense to an extent but I still think finals experience is invaluable to a young side.

Yeah, basically.

But only 2 sides in the top 8 have actually beaten Sydney this year, so it's an odd statement to make

Meh, not really. Kind of pointless for any team to go into finals with sydney there ;)

But seriously, the rest of those top 8 teams aren't playing sydney the week before finals, which would logically give the best indication of where the teams are at coming into finals.

Although, yeah, my statement wasn't really correct. If Richmond lose by like a goal or something, then I'd say it'd be devastating they didn't make finals.

If it's like 6 goals though, smeh- no big deal for this season (except for finals experience, which I didn't even consider unfortunately)

[Ricochet]

Anything can happen in finals. A week is a long time in footy, let alone another month before the GF

[quinny88]

Yeah I just think making the finals is a great thing regardless, especially for a team like Richmond.
Really the only teams I can see winning the flag are Hawthorn or Sydney but that doesn't mean there's no point in anyone else being there lol. You play footy for finals. Winning the flag is the ultimate goal and something most players never experience.

I have no hope of Richmond winning the flag at all this year but still want us to make the finals

[quinny88]

No favours from Sydney, naming an almost full strength side  :'(

[Jroo]

No favours from Sydney, naming an almost full strength side  :'(

No JPK, McGlyn, Bird, Pyke, so yeah almost full strength.
Could be a late changes though.

Well we're going in with out strongest team of the year, only Jacko and Astbury are missing.

[Toga]

What do you mean? I wouldn't say they are almost full strength at all missing JPK, McGlynn, Bird and Pyke ???

Ivvy against Naismith could be a defining matchup for us if Iv can really assert himself, but I must say I am a bit worried about a Chaplin vs Tippett situation.. Not sure whether Sydney will be able to exploit Tippett's size advantage, and means Chaplin has to be a lot more accountable than he has been in the last few games.

Also gotta say I am happy that Griffiths has held his spot over Vickery this week 8)

[quinny88]

Yeah still a few guns out but I mean they havent rested any. Only one unforced change which is just Laidler  ::)

Yeah looking forward to the game I reckon we will give it a real shake

[Nige]

Chappy was allowed to do as he pleased last week, now he's gotta shut down Tippett... really hoping he can.

If Tross can cull Buddy's influence (don't think he'll keep him goalless, but one or two goals is a win for us imo).

Grigg may get a tagging/run with role, if he does... I'm hoping he can do a good job - hasn't been too bad in that role at times this year.

I think Jack and Ivan will be the key to us winning. Ivan should beat Naismith and if Jack can get a goal or two early, his confidence should be up and hopefully can kick a bag.

Expecting Cotch and Lids to get shut down pretty easy though, which may pose a problem if guys like Ellis and Miles don't stand up.

[quinny88]

Im just glad its at ANZ and not that under 12's size ground, the SCG

[Sydney_Rox]

Im just glad its at ANZ and not that under 12's size ground, the SCG

Thats a myth, from 2years ago. Swans pretty happy with ANZ now. So much more run and carry than we have ever had.

Not nearly as confident as I was on Monday. Thought JPK was going to come in and Pyke rested might be a good idea but hope it doesnt create a negative mindset.

Still think we win by 20 odd points. You wont be able to hold Buddy and Tippett, one will kick 5 (Goodes 3) our fwd line will be the factor.

[LaHug]

Im just glad its at ANZ and not that under 12's size ground, the SCG

Thats a myth, from 2years ago. Swans pretty happy with ANZ now. So much more run and carry than we have ever had.

Not nearly as confident as I was on Monday. Thought JPK was going to come in and Pyke rested might be a good idea but hope it doesnt create a negative mindset.

Still think we win by 20 odd points. You wont be able to hold Buddy and Tippett, one will kick 5 (Goodes 3) our fwd line will be the factor.

I have you guys winning by about 30. Tigers up by 10 points at quarter time, down by 20 at half time. Never come back from there.

[Toga]

Franklin out...

[Nige]

 :o ;D :o 8) :o

[elephants]

flower off Sydney

[kilbluff1985]

Do you guys think Miles needs a big pre season on the track? He seems to start well and drop off after half time not a major issue but just something I noticed