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2007 Blog: Draw

June 4, 2007 2:18 am
By Chris Greenway

Last week I thought anything would do me, not even a win, just a draw would be enough. Anything so long as we had points on the board. I was wrong and found that out on Saturday night. The great Vince Lombardi said: ‘Winning isn’t everything, but losing isn’t anything’, he can add a draw to that. Richmond haven’t been involved in a draw for over 10 years so I’d forgotten how hollow a feeling it actually is. There’s nothing to celebrate, no song to sing, just this empty void and feeling of ‘what just happened?’

As matches go, despite the closeness it was a rather unpleasant spectacle to watch. There was no standout performance. A couple of moments of brilliance, Richo’s snap from the boundary (make this man captain now! PLEASE!), Newman’s chase and tackle, almost a mirror of his effort from the previous week against Winderlich, Kane Johnson’s mark in the dying moments, although he then completely ruined it by dropping his resulting kick a good 10 metres short of the waiting and unguarded Kayne Pettifer, allowing Brisbane to clear the ball and hang on for the tied result, this yet again denying the Tigers a hard fought win.

Some things became evident. The staff have defended Johnson’s poor kick by citing fatigue, I’d believe that if he didn’t do it on a regular basis throughout the game week after week. There’s talk about his hand bothering him (it was broken), that too is an excuse. If it’s that bad why is he playing? Daniel Jackson’s job on Simon Black was excellent and he chipped in for a goal whilst gathering 16 possessions and restricting the former Brownlow medallist, triple Premiership player and co captain to 15 touches, none of which was damaging. There is a feeling that in his 4th year Jackson may have ‘arrived’ as a player. Shane Edwards, Jake King and Nathan Foley continued to impress. Greg Tivendale continued to underwhelm.

On a brighter note Carlton managed to beat the Western Bulldogs, they only need 1 1/2 more wins to deny them the 1st draft pick and thus deliver the impressive young ruckman Matt Kreuzer into Richmond’s waiting arms come draft day. It’s about the only thing to look forward to this year. Carn’ the Blues!

1. On the positive side, we didn’t lose this past weekend. Of course, we didn’t play …

Comment by Becky — June 20, 2007 @ 11:04 am

1. You quoted Vince Lombardi! I’m impressed!

Comment by Becky — June 20, 2007 @ 11:03 am

2007 Blog: Faint Praise

June 10, 2007 7:19 pm
By Chris Greenway

Another week, another loss. Yet again Richmond were in a winning position and yet again they lost. What do the Tigers have to do to win a game of football? Putting aside the Geelong debacle and the beating from Port Adelaide Richmond have not lost any of their ten losses by more than 6 goals, and in many cases they have been against quality opposition. I am so tired of honourable losses that at this stage I’d take a dishonourable win.

Going through the performances of the players I can only find one who didn’t give their all and play their very best to try and get over the line against the Dockers and yet it still wasn’t enough. The commentators continually reiterate how brave Richmond are, how undermanned and young they are and how well they’re playing, but the wins aren’t coming.

If they can’t get a win or two in the second half of the season I fear for the damage it may do to the young players to try their best, but continually fail. There has to be a breakthrough soon and maybe then the praise will be for a side that actually won, rather than one that was gallant in defeat.

2007 Blog: We won! We won! We finally won!!!

June 24, 2007 6:20 pm
By Beckys-Place

Oohhhh, it feels good!!!! I don’t care about all the excuses, we won!!! This is an interesting bit of information in the news following the game:

RICHMOND defender Chris Newman had a tube put in his chest and risked broken ribs and a punctured lung to help his side beat Melbourne on Friday night.

2007 Blog: He’s baaack!

June 26, 2007 1:36 am
By Chris Greenway

It’s funny the impact one player can have on a team game. On Friday night after 11 long, torturous winless rounds the Tigers finally racked up a win, 49 points against Melbourne. Admittedly Melbourne were deplorable, but the young cubs that are Richmond were impressive and would have won the game against a more competitive Melbourne outfit, just done it by less. It is no coincidence that the win came the same week that Nathan Brown made his comeback from injury. This is Browny’s 3rd comeback from the leg that he broke, coincidentally against Melbourne, 2 years ago. The 1st comeback was too early and the 2nd somewhat underwhelming, this one was delayed, but the exciting Nathan G Brown was in fine form and played a vintage game. It’s no secret that I didn’t think Brown would ever play again, or at least not at the same level as before he broke the leg, there’s still a long way to go, but this game will have silenced some of the doubters.

I shouldn’t give all the credit to Brown. I have no doubt that his presence and the way he played inspired his team mates, but other players deserve to be acknowledged for their actions. Shane Tuck completely shut down Melbourne’s prime mover in Brock McLean while racking up 20+ possessions himself. Brett Deledio played forward, in the middle and down back in a performance that showed how good he will be. Young Will Thursfield, also in a comeback season, kept dangerous Demons forward Russell Robertson very quiet. Graham Polak played a huge role in the backline and is fast becoming the recruit of the season. Chris Newman as reported elsewhere by Becky played with two cracked ribs.

I’ve sung Yellow & Black so many times I’m hoarse. We may not win many games, but I intend to fully celebrate the ones we do get.