G’Day Folks

Richmond have taken Tyrone Vickery as their first pick in the Draft
Tyrone is the nephew of one of our members Peter Vickery,and is also
the son of John Vickery,boxing and rehab coach at Richmond Football Club.
I know both of these guys really well so it is great for Tyrone to end up at the Tigers.

Vickery is a strong-marking ruckman who can go forward with great effect. He is a competitive player with good decision making ability. Vickery represented Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and won All-Australian selection.

Pick 26 Jaydyn Post
Post is a tall, athletic key position player who can play at either end of the ground. He is good overhead, reads the game well and is a neat kick. Post won the Western Jets’ best and fairest in 2008.

Pick 58 Thomas Hislop
Previous AFL club: Essendon (2007-08)
Draft history: 2006 NAB AFL Draft No.20 overall.
Debut: 2007
Games: 7
Goals: 2

Hislop was one of the genuine surprise delistings after being a prized pick just two years ago.

The versatile Tasmanian found himself in trouble on and off the field, leading to his sacking at the end of 2008. Knows how to win the footy and could add something to the midfield.

Richmond passed on Pick 70

If you don’t mind flying Virgin Blue,I find them pretty good.
They have some cheap flights for the following games next year.

*On sale until: Midnight Wednesday 3rd December 2008
Travel Period 1: 13th January 2009 to 7th April 2009
Travel Period 2: 29th April 2009 to 31st August 2009

Note these are Richmond home games,if you notice above there are probably
cheap flights for other games.

Round 1 v Carlton Thursday 26th March $75-00 flights each way

Round 7 v Brisbane Saturday May 9 $75-00 flights each way

Round 9 v Essendon Saturday May 23 $75-00 flights each way

Round 12 v West Coast Saturday June 13 $75-00 flights each way

Round 16 v North Melbourne Sunday June 19 $75-00 flights each way(same day)

Round 18 v Melbourne Sunday August 2 $75-00 flights each way(same day)

Round 19 v Sydney Swans Sunday August 9 $75-00 flights each way(same day)

Round 20 v Collingwood Saturday August 15 $75-00 flights each way

Round 21 v Hawthorn Saturday August 22 $75-00 flights each way

MARK MAUNDER
0437677811

Some Good news
THE SIGHT of recovering Tiger Graham Polak joining in pre-season training was a further boost for Richmond ahead of its 2009 campaign
Polak, who missed much of the Tigers’ 2008 season after being hit by a tram while out with teammates in late June, is making progress in his bid to play AFL football again.

On Wednesday he took part in training at Gosch’s Paddock near Punt Road, where the large majority of the Richmond squad endured a skills session in searing heat.

Polak was joined by Irishmen Connor Meredith (County Laois) and Niall McKeever (County Antrim), both of whom are trialling with the Tigers.

It isn’t known when or if Polak will be able to compete at the same level he achieved before his severe head injury – which left him with bruising to his brain – but outgoing captain Kane Johnson said Polak’s return had buoyed spirits.

OTHER INTERESTING NEWS
RICHMOND will appoint a new skipper ahead of the 2009 AFL season after Kane Johnson announced on Wednesday that he would step down from the role as captain of the club.

Johnson, who took over the captaincy in 2005, led the Tigers in 77 matches but said he believed the time was right to hand over the reins to a younger teammate.

“It has been an enormous privilege to serve as captain over the past four years but the time has come to hand over to someone else,” Johnson said.

“We are a young and emerging side and the timing is right for generational change. I still see myself with a role to play in terms of mentoring the younger players and I look forward to helping out the new captain, whoever that may be.”

Tigers coach Terry Wallace paid tribute to Johnson’s leadership throughout his five-year stint in the top job.

“Kane took over the captaincy at a difficult time and helped developed our young team,” Wallace said.

“Kane has an extraordinary presence both on and off the field and will continue to be a highly respected player at our club.

“His work ethic is second to none and his positive influence over the playing group will remain.

Richmond has worked hard to develop more leaders in recent years, and the big question in coming weeks – when the club expects to make an announcement on the next skipper –will be who will take over the captaincy.

Vice-captains Chris Newman and Nathan Foley would appear to be the front runners, although it remains to be seen if the Tigers appoint a short-term leader – such as favourite son Matthew Richardson – to fill the role for a season or two before appointing a younger player for a longer period.

Personally speaking,I think the time is right for a change,Kane has been a good leader for the Tigers,not only
on the field but is a great mentor off it.

But I think we all agree the time was right,we probably need a Captain who is dominating games,which unfortuantely Kane has not been able to do in the last couple of years and someone who says to the team follow me.
I think the Tiger army would be elated if it was Richo,don’t think this will happen,probably Chris Newman,
Nathan Foley or Brett Deledio.
So who do you think should be Captain.

MARK MAUNDER
0437677811