Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge this

[IDGAF]

Nut touched on this a few weeks ago but i want to re-visit this

End of round 9 last year we were being touted as one of the worst teams ever and being compared to Fitzroy circa 1996 .

No wins and short odds to not win a game

Fast forward 12 months ... 22 games .... and we have had 10 wins , a draw , and 11 loses . We get over Port this week and the ledger is squared ... 11 - 11 and a draw .

I reckon its a pretty remakable effort that not many in their wildest dreams would have predicted ..... to make so much progress in this limited time .

Now ... i know , i know , i know .... dont get ahead of ourselves and we have so much more hard work and smart recruiting to take care of , so much more development to go into the kids ... we've had so many let downs etc. etc.

But ... i reckon its time to acknowledge the job Dimma has done in the last 12 months because it did not get any lower than where were at .

The fact that no one has called for his head in his second year of remarkable enough in itself

Well done on the last 12 months Damian ... now lets really make our mark

 

[turtle27]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

On top of that iddy, and putting aside the Pies, Cats, and probably Hawks for the moment, we all now go to the footy thinking, actually,knowing, we can win if we play our best footy.

That is a big diff from hoping, and a big diff from anything I've felt when supporting the Tigs these past 39 years.

 

[smasha]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

AHA!
We have the machine that goes ping!
The heat chamber.

We should be OK.

Everyone knows the great job Damian Hardwick has done and we know we will improve even more.

I still think 6th is putting the lid off too early by David King aka the reverse mozzer.

 

[Rancid_Beasties]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

On top of that iddy, and putting aside the Pies, Cats, and probably Hawks for the moment, we all now go to the footy thinking, actually,knowing, we can win if we play our best footy.

That is a big diff from hoping, and a big diff from anything I've felt when supporting the Tigs these past 39 years.

So you didn't even get that feeling in 73, 74 and 80?

 

[turtle27]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

So you didn't even get that feeling in 73, 74 and 80?

I was a touch young in 73 and 74 RB, and in 80 I was only just 9 years old.

 

[Bojangles17]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

****en A I say, if we can win our next 5 straight then LOOK out, we'll really set our season up for a decent tilt at it. We've taken a huge step in the right direction. Never mind the players getting ahead of themselves, it's clear as to me the likes of cotch, Lids, newy et al are absolutley desperate to play finals footy they have been relentless all year and are leading from the front. they are the barometer

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Gotta congratulate Hardwick's efforts over the last 12 months. He's been all class - everything has been handled like a professional club should. Etc, etc, etc (why make this a long post).

BUT

I don't think, after 22 years of life, witnessing 1 finals match live and the rest on telly I will EVER get ahead of myself regarding Richmond. Sure, the future looks bright but like you've said Iddy, so many let downs that it's impossible to get ahead of myself.

Until we're in the finals for sure (12 wins) then you never know. Perhaps we're getting to the stage where we SHOULD beat teams (eg Port this week), but until we do this consistently it's so hard to do.

Either way, it's an exciting time. Because it's hard to even remember what 2001 felt like. Hell, it's hard to remember what winning a few back to back games felt like. Even beating top 8 sides!

I mean jeez, the last time we won by 100+ which was discussed early this week was against Fiztroy in their last game in Melbourne? I was at that match but even then it was hard to get a huge amount of satisfaction from a truly hapless side. Port aren't as bad as Fiztroy, and I don't think we'll get close to 100 at all, but one would have thought we could have done something similar since.

Anyway, we've come a long way from two games which stick in my head. Firstly, sitting behind the goals (which I never do) on level 1 against Geelong where they absolutely slaughtered us by 151. You just don't want to revisit those sorts of things at the footy. Secondly is the match against Melbourne a few years ago where our skills were just deplorable when we were being compared to the Dees at the time.

So yeah, good job Hardwick but we've still got a long way to go.

 

[UpTheGuts]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Agree RFCTA.
Carn Tiges

 

[SA TIGER]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Back to the topic, never in my wildest dreams would I have predicted a 4-4-1 result after Round 9. It has been a remarkable turnaround that needs to be put into perspective. That being, not getting carried away too much about the 'F' word just yet, but just playing good accountable football for the remainder of the season and whilst chalking up the odd victory along the way.

 

[captain blood 17]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Iddy - i may have to give you a box of nails, a hammer and build a lid for you to put back on a box!! In all seriousness, you can't underestimate the job the whole club has done from recruitment to education/game plan. All i really want to see are two things for the rest of the regular home and away season , the debt rolled and us to to win 50% of our remaining games this year. The rest will then take care of itself in Sept. No frills, just a realistic target (in my mind).

 

[Bojangles17]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Gotta congratulate Hardwick's efforts over the last 12 months. He's been all class - everything has been handled like a professional club should. Etc, etc, etc (why make this a long post).

BUT

I don't think, after 22 years of life, witnessing 1 finals match live and the rest on telly I will EVER get ahead of myself regarding Richmond. Sure, the future looks bright but like you've said Iddy, so many let downs that it's impossible to get ahead of myself.

Until we're in the finals for sure (12 wins) then you never know. Perhaps we're getting to the stage where we SHOULD beat teams (eg Port this week), but until we do this consistently it's so hard to do.

Either way, it's an exciting time. Because it's hard to even remember what 2001 felt like. Hell, it's hard to remember what winning a few back to back games felt like. Even beating top 8 sides!

I mean jeez, the last time we won by 100+ which was discussed early this week was against Fiztroy in their last game in Melbourne? I was at that match but even then it was hard to get a huge amount of satisfaction from a truly hapless side. Port aren't as bad as Fiztroy, and I don't think we'll get close to 100 at all, but one would have thought we could have done something similar since.

Anyway, we've come a long way from two games which stick in my head. Firstly, sitting behind the goals (which I never do) on level 1 against Geelong where they absolutely slaughtered us by 151. You just don't want to revisit those sorts of things at the footy. Secondly is the match against Melbourne a few years ago where our skills were just deplorable when we were being compared to the Dees at the time.

So yeah, good job Hardwick but we've still got a long way to go.

good summary rfc, i echoe your sentiment

 

[Bruce Monteath]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

**** Dimma, you had better get the boys up for this week... we wouldn't want to drop this one.

 

[The Jerk]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

The key point to this year, for me, is not finals but how we peform against Sydney at the SCG. Its been years of getting destroyed when we play this fixture and a competitive showing/win would really break any mental shackles for the Tiges. ABSOLUTELY NO WAY we can talk of finals until we peform better in these type of situations.

 

[The Goon]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

AHA!
We have the machine that goes ping!
The heat chamber.

We should be OK.

Everyone knows the great job Damian Hardwick has done and we know we will improve even more.

I still think 6th is putting the lid off too early by David King aka the reverse mozzer.

Everyone loves the machine that goes ping. Can't lose if you have a machine that goes ping. Should be added to The Lord Hath Given Me a Sign thread ...

"... and yea verily, the machine went 'ping', and I knew it for a sign from The Lord that the righteous Tiger tribe were promised a win in the north against the Portites."


As an aside, I've got a sig bet going with another poster (who shall remain nameless) that was made at the start of the year. He bet that there was no way we would make the finals in '11 or '12. Personally I'd still be suprised if we did make it this year, but it's certainly not outside the realms of possibility. Gotta love what Hardwick has done to date.

 

[Roachy8]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Yep, it's been a very constructive 12 months & for that, a big to Dimma et al.

Now, next step is to do what we need to v The Power on Saturday.

If this really is a proper and sustainable new dawn then we need to put them away, and put them away early and well.
Start the game with the ferocity that we had after half time last week to show everyone and especially ourselves that we are a new breed of Tiger.

Win by a double digit number of goals and take a breather for a week to plan for stage 2 of the season.

I still reckon v The Swans defines our year.
Win & we are absolutely at the head of the bunch mixing it for the bottom of the 8.
Lose & yes, we could still scramble to make it but it would be almost a consolation to slip into the September schedule.

 

[carn tigez]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Lose & yes, we could still scramble to make it but it would be almost a consolation to slip into the September schedule.

Don't like this attitude. What if we lose then go on to beat Bris, Melb, Blues, Ess.

Essendon lost to Sydney but their season is still very much alive. I believe that games like that do exist, if we lost by 5 goals + to the Bombers our season would have been in strife, but I don't have the same attitude for the Swans game. We will likely go into that game having won 5 of our last 6, so it's pretty harsh to call it a must win game IMO.

 

[Roachy8]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Don't like this attitude. What if we lose then go on to beat Bris, Melb, Blues, Ess.

Essendon lost to Sydney but their season is still very much alive. I believe that games like that do exist, if we lost by 5 goals + to the Bombers our season would have been in strife, but I don't have the same attitude for the Swans game. We will likely go into that game having won 5 of our last 6, so it's pretty harsh to call it a must win game IMO.

Didn't say it was a must win, I said it would define our year.
Of course subsequent games going either way will still effect the final result.

Win v The Swans and we move to the head of the list of contenders for possies 7 & 8.
Lose & we will find it a much tougher battle to qualify.

 

[Bazzar]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Fast forward 12 months ... 22 games .... and we have had 10 wins , a draw , and 11 loses . We get over Port this week and the ledger is squared ... 11 - 11 and a draw .

Theoretically if we improve by just 1 game over that same time/game period for this years 22 games, which is more than likely, it would give us 11 wins 1 Draw and 10 loses (46pts) and that would be enough to overtake Carltanks 44pts that had them sneak past North on % last year to grab a finals berth.

Still dreaming... Richmond 8th - Carltank 5th -1st Elimination Final -Tiges by 16pts - Ratten Centerlink - Tiges good times ahead.

 

[Truetiger]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Theoretically if we improve by just 1 game over that same time/game period for this years 22 games, which is more than likely, it would give us 11 wins 1 Draw and 10 loses (46pts) and that would be enough to overtake Carltanks 44pts that had them sneak past North on % last year to grab a finals berth.

Still dreaming... Richmond 8th - Carltank 5th -1st Elimination Final -Tiges by 16pts - Ratten Centerlink - Tiges good times ahead.

You teasing me stop it hahaha! Ahh that would be nice as that. In saying that talking up the swans game as to define our season. Last time i checked we have not beat port as yet or has the game already been played and won already!

 

[carn tigez]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Didn't say it was a must win, I said it would define our year.
Of course subsequent games going either way will still effect the final result.

Win v The Swans and we move to the head of the list of contenders for possies 7 & 8.
Lose & we will find it a much tougher battle to qualify.

Yeah ok, I agree with that, but I just don't see this as a key game really. As you say a win would do a lot for us, but a loss would almost be expected. It's the games after this one that are important IMO.

 

[TIAGRA]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

On top of that iddy, and putting aside the Pies, Cats, and probably Hawks for the moment, we all now go to the footy thinking, actually,knowing, we can win if we play our best footy.

That is a big diff from hoping, and a big diff from anything I've felt when supporting the Tigs these past 39 years.

U kidding urself if u think Colonwood are unbeatable.

They wont even make the GF with wanka rock stars like harry "Hypocrite" obrien(no capitals),Nick maxwell (lol),Leon "CHIP ON SHOULDER" Davis etc.... !

As for Hawthorn - please...we can easily account for them on our day.

As for Iddys post.
Yeh,he;s done a good job but so have the supporting staff,after all,when instilling a team culture one must lead by example....so nice work all involved but I'm refraining from orchestral fanfares for another ouple of years

 

[Wallaby]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Quick History lesson.

Melbourne were crap in 2007, 2008 and 2009. They've loaded up on young kids - Watts, Morton, Scully and Trengove were all #4 or better. Last year they won 8.5 games - the two games against Collingwood were a 1-point loss and a draw. Looking really good.......

And this year, they can't get out of their own way. Bailey's on death row. Things changed. I aint counting any chickens until they've hatched, grown, been slaughtered and are sitting on the plate with the roast spuds, pumpkin and the gravy.

 

[ize_]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

Spot on Wal. In fact if you look at successful teams of recent times, most have had a strong period while still young, then dropped out of the 8 for a year or 2, only to return stronger. Hawthorn, St Kilda, Geelong and the Doggies have all done this. We might be in the same boat. I don't think us scraping into the 8 this year should effect our expectations for the 8 in 2012 one iota.




Though, we do seem to be playing a sustainable, finals-style brand of footy...

 

[gaelictiogar]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

On top of that iddy, and putting aside the Pies, Cats, and probably Hawks for the moment, we all now go to the footy thinking, actually,knowing, we can win if we play our best footy.

That is a big diff from hoping, and a big diff from anything I've felt when supporting the Tigs these past 39 years.

This is exactly the point. Previous decent years like 2001 were different. In our hearts we knew we had blagged a finals place the could not be sustained. Going into Big games was an exercise in hope not expectation.

This is different. The athmosphere V Essendon was not one of the usual battling tigers hoping for a break. it was instead that of a huge and vibrant club hosting a home game against a club of any size and form and doing so expecting to both win and be the main presence in the stands....It was the real thing. The awakening. I can hardly remember the Tiger Army out in such numbers or the team playing with such swagger and self belief. The third qtr was a watershed. it announced us.

I get the impression that despite themselves many fans of other clubs are fascinated to discover just what the Tiger train will look and sound like when we near the finals. The mocking will still go on but secretly they are wondering what our presence at the top will mean.

 

[Dave Stevens]

Re: Put the delusions of granduer aside for a mo in making top 6, but maybe its time to acknowledge

I'd take every win over a loss for sure, but scraping into the bottom of the eight only to lose by 15 goals isn't worth too much (despite the finals drought).

All I want from this year is to see our defence shift from conceding 100+ points a game, and cut that down. Then I'll know we're on a path to greatness.

I'd love to see us set up in a way that we start conceding 75-85 points a game, and set up an era where we can have a tilt at a Top 4 spot and beyond in years to come. It's more than just key defenders, the whole side needs a better defensive mind set. Not 'Saints-footy', but a little tighter down back.

Sides with great forward lines, but suspect defensive structures rarely win flags. Thinking Geelong in the 1990's in particular.

I'll take finals, and feel confident that this is to come (probably next year), but I reeeeeeaaaallllllyyyy want a flag! Why not us?