G’Day Folks
As the song says like the Tiger of Old we’re strong and we’re bold.
Richmond overcame a 33 point deficit midway through the third quarter to
record a gutsy 4 point win over the Sydney Swans.
A tremendous come from behind victory against a hardened side who rarely
give much away,so it speaks volumes for the steps forward these team has taken.
We have a young group who are evolving and embracing a game plan implemented
by Damien Hardwick which can be a blueprint for a successful era for the
Richmond Football Club.
Watching the game high up in the Ponsford Stand,you can see how the team
moves the ball,yes sometimes backwards,but it does give them the space to move the
ball upfield.
Also our zone defence allows us to prevent the opposition from bringing the ball
into our forward 50 too easily like we have done in the past,so some
great signs going forward.
But the Tigers win was just part of a great day,started with yours truly having
a run around the MCG in the Auslab Legends game,got a few touches,had a couple of
shots on goal,one courtesy of pass from Chris Naish,shaded the post,but had a great time
running around with Andrew Kellaway,Chris Naish,the Flea,Benny Gale.
Our team Auslab were winners 72-50,Sydney was also represented by Craig Smith,
ex Richmond player,who still looks extremely fit,and was outstanding through the midfield,
and Shev Shevki who kicked into me,we got a 50 for the ball being knocked out of my hand,I kicked to Andrew Kellaway,and we ended up kicking a goal which was nice.
Craig Smith lives on the Northen Beaches and hopes to get along to one of our
functions,he has 4 boys,one representing NSW in Under 15 AFL team,pity his wife
with all those boys.
So after getting through the game,up to the Ponsford Stand,where a few of the Sydney Tigers members who came down for the game were seated,I trust they enjoyed the game
as much as me.
I thought Richmond’s tackling and pressure was great all day,probably just in the third quarter,the Swans got a few guys loose and were able to build a lead,Adam Goodes
who was well held by Kelvin Moore most of the day,kicked a couple of goals.
So down by 14 points at three quarter time,the Tigers slowly clawed their way back,
with Andrew Collins,who I nicknamed twiggy,as in a twig as he is so slight,gets,knocked
out,comes back and kicks two goals on Malceski,outstanding.
The last goal with 2 minutes to go on the clock,the Tigers showed great compusure,
to hang on a win,and weren’t the Tigers army happy,a great elation at the end of the game,the Tigers song was belted out about 6 times.
The Richmond crowd was really great in sypporting the team,even up our hand where
there were most of the Swan supporters.
Some pleasing aspects of the Tigers win,9 goals from stoppages,we made 90 tackles
to Sydney’s 81,our tackling has improved dramatically.
Brett Deledio had 28 possessions after we all thought he was out for the game,Chris
Newman’s leadership inspiring,we are in good hands.
7 players had 20 possessions or more,Deldio 28,Connors 26,Astbury 21 his best game
for the year,Cousins 21(more on his conditon below)
Newman,Jackson and Moore all 20.
Jack Riewoldt 5 goals,spoke to him after the game,said you are a supesrtar,humbly he
said no I am not,Andrew Collins with 3 crucial goals.
But this was a great team effort everyone played well,and it is fantastic to see
how happy the players and Damien Hardwick aare after a win.
So a few beers with Bree at the after match function in the Harrison Room,all the players
came up,spoke to my old mate Nathan Foley,lovely bloke always has time
for you,Ty Vickery,said to say G’Day to uncle Pete,spoke to Andrew Collins,
So a great day all around.
We have Freo this wek,as an AFL lover,it was tragic to see Michael Barlow,break his leg,
he has been a great story,and to see him have such a bad injury is devastating from him,the way he was playing,I hope he can come back successfully.
The only sour note of the day,was the much loved Ben Cousins,ending up in Hospital.
Here is the latest news.
A COCKTAIL of caffeine, alcohol and sleeping pills may have caused troubled Tiger Ben Cousins’ dramatic collapse. Richmond is investigating the theory, and hopes the recovering drug addict will wake from sedation on Tuesday to explain himself.
But the club says he took no illicit drugs.
And while he may have taken multiple tablets, the club doesn’t believe he took a large number of them.
Cousins was in a stable condition in intensive care at Epworth Hospital on Monday night.
It emerged that Cousins had taken caffeine tablets before the club’s win over Sydney on Sunday, and that he had drunk several glasses of red wine that night.
He then took a number of prescribed sleeping tablets.
Let’s pray that Ben Cousins will be okay,and hopefully can make a comeback to footy
with the Tigers,where he has been outstanding,he has so much to offer.