Richmond great Matthew Richardson highlights six key points arising from the Tigers’ 10-point loss to Carlton at the MCG last Saturday.
- Brandon Ellis is a first-quarter specialist.
The talented young Tiger has been performing consistently well in all quarters throughout his second season of league football. But he’s produced some truly superb football in several opening terms over the course of this season. Against Carlton last Saturday, Ellis was clearly best afield in the first quarter. He had a team-high seven disposals and capped off his excellent, attacking hard running with two goals. His efforts were instrumental in Richmond bursting out of the blocks and setting up a five-goal lead at quarter-time. Although he was fairly well held by the Blues after that, Ellis’ opening-term blitz further underlined what an exciting prospect he is for the Tigers.
- Matthew McDonough looks a likely type.
It wasn’t a spectacular first game, by any means from the 19-year-old, however, I saw enough from him to suggest he’s going to develop into quite a handy player for the Tigers. He had 11 disposals, plus three tackles, and didn’t look out of place at the game’s highest level. McDonough earned his selection in the Richmond side with a string of strong performances up forward and through the midfield for Coburg in the VFL. I’m sure he’ll benefit considerably from the experience of playing in front of more than 60,000 in a big game at the ‘G last Saturday. With his all-round skills set, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on next year . . .
- Shane Tuck has replaced Matty White as a Tiger “super sub”.
Earlier this season, it was Matt White, who was receiving plenty of praise for his efforts when casting off the green vest and taking his place on the ground for the Tigers. White, with his lightning pace, always seemed to have a profound impact when he came off the bench. Now that White has become a regular member of the Richmond starting 18, it’s Shane Tuck, who has taken over the green vest, and he’s also exerting a significant influence when he’s called into the action late in games. Tuck managed to rack up 16 disposals in about 40 minutes of game time against Carlton and he provided the Tigers with a timely lift in the midfield department. As sub, Tuck is coming on to the field when a fair bit of the pace has gone out of the game, and that’s suiting him down to the ground. He’s going strongly when many others are starting to feel the pinch.
- Ty Vickery has had a solid season on the comeback trail.
After missing the second half of the 2012 season with a serious shoulder problem, I reckon Vickery has acquitted himself really well this year. His three goals against Carlton last Saturday took his season’s tally to 19, which, when you consider he’s spent a fair bit more time in the ruck, helping out Ivan Maric, is a good return. Vickery also took a team-high seven marks and he looked lively throughout, whether up forward or around the ground. I just get the feeling that the solid gains Vickery has made this season, will enable him to really flourish next year.
- Dylan Grimes will be better for the run.
The talented, young defender looked a bit rusty out there, but that’s understandable, given it was his first game for Richmond since Round 6 this year. He was sidelined for more than a couple of months following that with a stress fracture in his foot, but after gradually building his match-fitness base with Coburg in the VFL, he resumed at AFL level last Saturday. Although he had only five disposals, and was subbed out of the game during the third quarter, I’m sure he’ll benefit significantly from his time back out on the field with Richmond on the weekend. Expect his touch to return in the coming weeks and for him to play an important role in the Tigers’ finals campaign.
- The loss will be another valuable reality check for the team.
Although Richmond has secured a long-awaited finals berth, that’s no reason to take the foot off the accelerator in the lead-up to September. I just get the feeling, after a brilliant eight-goal burst in the first quarter last Saturday, that the Tigers might have just eased the pressure off a bit, which enabled Carlton to get right back in the contest. The absence of Shane Edwards, Matt White, Jake King and Chris Newman really impacted on the team, too. I fully realise the Blues had several of their big guns out as well, but from a structural viewpoint, Richmond struggled to adequately replace those missing players. Anyway, the important thing now is for the Tigers to learn from that loss and bounce back strongly against GWS next Sunday.
