Chris Greenway's Footy Commentary!

Richmond V Collingwood 26/02/2009

This is rather a hard game to review as very little was about the game itself or the result, but more about the fact that Ben Cousins was making his debut for Richmond and the concern of almost everyone involved, spectators, media and most of the rest of the football world was how Ben would play, if he could get through the game uninjured and how he and Richmond would feel afterwards.

Richmond had made a few changes. They dropped Bowden, McGuane, Tuck, Schulz, Hughes, Silvester, Post and Collins (the majority had performed poorly against Fremantle with the exceptions of Post and Collins who were given the game to get a taste of senior football and Tuck who was rested) and included: Thursfield, McMahon, Rance, Johnson, Vickery, Thomson, Cousins and King. Collingwood had gone with largely a full strength side, missing only Anthony Rocca and Paul Medhurst from their best 22. Aside from the players left out for various reasons the Tigers were also missing: Mark Coughlan and Trent Cotchin from the players they would have liked to be available due to injury.

Cousins started on the ground and although he was initially placed forward it didn’t take long for him to get his hands on the ball. Collingwood started better and as in the first game Richmond had problems with matchups and game style, allowing Collingwood to score twice and making it look ugly for the Tigers. They hit back with a point and then a 9 pointer and worked into the game. For most of the night it was tight, which Richmond coming back hard, getting their high possession game plan working and forcing the Pies to leave their forward line unmanned for long periods. Unfortunately the dominance that Richmond displayed for most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters was not reflected on the scoreboard due to poor kicking for goal, although he played a good game Jack Riewoldt was one of the worst offenders followed by Richo who was up to his usual tricks missing easy shots in front and making the seemingly impossible look ridiculously simple. The Tigers hit the lead in the last quarter, but let themselves down again with poor kicking at the goals and missed the opportunity to extend their lead. The Pies pounced and got some easy goals, once the game was beyond them the Tigers shut up shop and took some of their older players off the ground. Collingwood cruised to an easy 46 point win against a Richmond that was happy it had been competitive for most of the match and ecstatic that, aside from a heavy knock which he will shake off quickly, Ben Cousins was still fighting fit, had played 70% of the game on the ground, showed glimpses of his best and picked up 21 touches, with room for significant improvement.

2) Will Thursfield: for a first hit out of the year the defender didn’t look too bad. Prominent early and moved well, long kicking out of the back line is a feature.

3) Brett Deledio: was allowed to move into the forward line late in the game, took a beautiful mark, but failed to kick the goal. Has recovered his blistering pace and his skills bring others into the game.

4) Andrew Raines: got a heap of the ball and his run out of the backline is great, particularly when goes straight up the middle. Still hangs onto the ball too long where he either gets claimed or has to take the worst option in disposing of it. This needs to be sorted out.

5) Troy Simmonds: was the best ruckman on the ground. Went forward later in the match and was a good focal point, be nice if this was an option in the real season.

7) Nathan Brown: dangerous lurker on the forward line, but had the yips and didn’t capitalise on his opportunities.

8) Jack Riewoldt: developing into a genuine key position forward, has put on muscle and takes a great mark. Needs to take some goal kicking lessons. Once he can convert he’ll be someone to reckon with.

10) Shane Edwards: flitted in and out without having any genuine impact.

12) Matthew Richardson: the everywhere man again, hauled in a load of marks and had a number of shots at goal, only managing to get one. Made a few good leads that weren’t honoured, increasing his frustration.

13) Jordan McMahon: nothing has changed from 2008. Runs with very little purpose, no evidence of his often talked about disposal skills and is still the best player on the team at selling a team mate into trouble.

14) Dean Polo: liked his game, stood up in the tackles, was strong and determined, could be an option to take over Shane Tuck’s role in the middle.

17) Chris Newman: aside from a great 9 pointer didn’t see a lot of the captain, should have been given the job of kicking out over Jordan McMahon.

18) Alex Rance: first I’ve seen of him and I liked what I saw. He’s a good size, quick, strong pair of hands, w on’t take a backward step and has decent skills. A key backman just waiting to happen.

20) Mitch Morton: disappointing game. Unable to convert and seemed reluctant to tackle or put himself on the line in a contest.

23) Daniel Jackson: like Raines one of our best for sheer weight of possessions, also like Raines if there’s a wrong option he’ll usually take it.

27) Tom Hislop: was surprised he got a game, but was better than against Fremantle, still very aggressive, but far more disciplined.

28) Kane Johnson: threw himself into everything, which eventually caused a knee injury, initially looked serious, but he seemed ready to return later on in the night, was deliberately left off the ground as a precaution.

29) Ty Vickery: nice debut, needs weight, but great when the ball is on the ground and will play some nice games up forward this year.

30) Richard Tambling: mixed bag, still runs the ball out well, but was a little hesitant to take the game on the way he should.

31) Adam Thomson: built like a tank and not at all afraid, will be a good player if given the opportunities he was denied at Port Adelaide.

32) Ben Cousins: covered him in the review. Room for improvement, as he plays games will sky rocket and by round 6 of the home and away season will be tearing opponents apart.

35) Matt White: like Edwards not prominent and made no genuine impact.

38) Robin Nahas: quick and dangerous, very light, but will learn and has to lose the bad habits he developed in the VFL.

40) Kelvin Moore: preferred the role he was given to run with Thursfield and Rance taking the key defensive posts, needs more game time yet.

41) Nathan Foley: far and away the Tigers best midfielder.

44) Angus Graham: limited game time, but will be a good enough 2nd ruck in the real season.

46) Jake King: only really played the last quarter and had no significant impact.