where do you see Richmond finishing in 2009

[dean33]

I reckon we should finish anywhere between 4-8th. really the top 2 spots should be taken by cats and hawks but after that i think its quite open. The dogs should be thereabouts as should the pies, saints and crows but they may slip out as well. The kangas and swans will be trying to stay in the 8 but they could also slip as well.

With the continued development of the young mids such as foley, cotchin, and lids added with the ball getting ability of tuck and addition of cousins and maybe even the comeback of coughlin our midfield could match most. Our young backline of thursfield, moore and mcguane added with the experience of newman and rebounding of white has a nice balance to it.
Our problem area is probably our fwd line as although we have quality in richo(depending on how much time he spends there) and brown with an up and coming players like riewoldt and morton, we need more from hughes and schultz although I'd say the latter has been given a fair enough opportunity. This is where cuz could be important as I think he may spend a bit of time on the half fwd line as when he was at his best he was the premier goal kicking midfielder in the league.

All in all i think the tigers have enough talent to make the bottom half of the 8 and with a bit of luck maybe sneak into the top 4.

 

[CyberKev]

Providing they can keep their core players fit, they should be able to nail a spot in the lower half of the eight.

 

[dyl_tigerman]

probably between 5 and 8
our midfield and forward line is improving and i think we have one of the strionger defences in the game at the moment...
not looking for too much just hoping to make finals

 

[Top_4_Tiger]

With Deledio, Cousins, Foley, Cotchin, Tuck, Coughlan, Tambling, Richardson and more quality midfielders - Richmond could finish 3rd or 4th with a bit of luck.

We might be better than the Kangaroos, St Kilda, Collingwood and Bulldogs now.

I think Geelong will dominate again, Hawthorn will drop a little bit to 3rd/4th, either Collingwood/Kangaroos/Port to finish 2nd and Richmond 3rd/4th.

Bulldogs too old now, St Kilda are just Carlton in the future, so obviously they're no chance, and other contenders are too old to improve by much.

Coughlan will be the smokie.

 

[tcwaters]

I reckon they'll make the eight.
foley and deledio are guns. love watching them play.. cousins (hopefully) a richo tearing it up..
should be a good year for them

 

[nut]

we were 1.5 games from a top 4 spot last season. Should have won against the dogs and Saints.
We still need to improve on last season....

 

[OneEyedHawk]

With Deledio, Cousins, Foley, Cotchin, Tuck, Coughlan, Tambling, Richardson and more quality midfielders - Richmond could finish 3rd or 4th with a bit of luck.

We might be better than the Kangaroos, St Kilda, Collingwood and Bulldogs now.

I think Geelong will dominate again, Hawthorn will drop a little bit to 3rd/4th, either Collingwood/Kangaroos/Port to finish 2nd and Richmond 3rd/4th.

Bulldogs too old now, St Kilda are just Carlton in the future, so obviously they're no chance, and other contenders are too old to improve by much.

Coughlan will be the smokie.

You are that biased and full of **** it's not funny.

So you think going into '09 that Richmond and Hawthorn are evenly placed?

 

[Barnzy123]

So you think going into '09 that Richmond and Hawthorn are evenly placed?

I'll answer that one for him. No.

 

[Madtiger2006]

You are that biased and full of **** it's not funny.

So you think going into '09 that Richmond and Hawthorn are evenly placed?

Well, why not? There's not much between our midfields and defences. The only difference is you have Franklin. Our development is only a year or 2 behind. Oh yeah, we beat you guys comfortably too

 

[OneEyedHawk]

Well, why not? There's not much between our midfields and defences. The only difference is you have Franklin. Our development is only a year or 2 behind. Oh yeah, we beat you guys comfortably too

There is plenty difference between us, in most areas.

Our respective midfields are poles apart. Most of these threads have you guys chronically overrating your midfield based on the fact that it's a given that Cousins and Coughlan will both not only return, but star...immediately. Cousins I have no doubt still has what it takes skill-wise, but let's be honest, him picking up where he left off is far from a sure thing. He's been out of the game 18 months, and is suffering from a disease which stacks the odds heavily against him. Also, a spell that long in duration leaves him extremely susceptible to soft-tissue injuries, which he already succombed to in his last outing. I hope like hell he makes a go of it, but it's mere guesswork to presume anything either way. Ditto Coughlan, I love this bloke, but his injuries have been/are chronic, is anyone's guess whether his body will be able to stand up to the rigours of AFL footy. Take out one of both of these two, and your midfield looks far less promising. Either way, you're kidding yourself if you think our midfields are evenly matched.

Same with the defences. I'm a big wrap for some of the young Tiger defenders, but they don't have the runs on the board yet. Our defence may not be the strength of our team, but the fact remains that we have 3x AA in our back 6, and play a style of footy that sees our midfield push back and assist the defence at every opportunity.

Our forward lines are worlds apart, worlds. And not just becuase of Buddy. Buddy (110+ goals), Roughy (75), Williams, Rioli, Osborne, Dew, Campbell Brown switchng back-and-forth, Hodge pinch-hitting there at times, not to mention some highly rated young KPP's waiting in the wings for an opportunity (Thorp, Dowler, Schoenmakers etc).

You two guys are SERIOUSLY deluded if you think that going into '09, the Tigers, a team which finished in the bottom half of the competition, are evenly matched with the premiership team.

 

[TigerGlory]

You two guys are SERIOUSLY deluded if you think that going into '09, the Tigers, a team which finished in the bottom half of the competition, are evenly matched with the premiership team.

Last year the Bulldogs were one final away from a Grand Final berth, and Port Adelaide MADE the Grand Final the year before that. Both teams finished in the bottom 8 the year before their moves into contention, in fact that happens often.

Its previously been said that we were 1.5 games from a top 4 position this year. That was without Cousins, Coughlan or a fit Cotchin. We drew against the Bulldogs, lost a game by 3 points against St Kilda which we choked in, and could have beaten Hawthorn during our first meeting, but again collapsed under the pressure. 2 of these wins had us in top 4, and 3 wins would have sewn it up for us.

You are deluded if you think Hawthorn are safe and sound up in the Top 4 with Geelong. Every year a team from the bottom 8 makes the top 4. That also means you will have Port Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and perhaps even Carlton breathing down your neck just like us.

 

[OneEyedHawk]

Last year the Bulldogs were one final away from a Grand Final berth, and Port Adelaide MADE the Grand Final the year before that. Both teams finished in the bottom 8 the year before their moves into contention, in fact that happens often.:

So what? You've shown that it's happened before. Far, far more often bottom-8 sides DON'T make the top-4, and even less the Grand Final. And you've shown me nothing to suggest that the Tigers will be amongst this very small minority that make such a jump.

Its previously been said that we were 1.5 games from a top 4 position this year. That was without Cousins, Coughlan or a fit Cotchin. We drew against the Bulldogs, lost a game by 3 points against St Kilda which we choked in, and could have beaten Hawthorn during our first meeting, but again collapsed under the pressure. 2 of these wins had us in top 4, and 3 wins would have sewn it up for us.:

And show me a side that doesn't have a handful of these type scenarios each and every year. Every single bottom-8 side (and top-8 sides for that matter) have 'could have', 'should have' games.

And do you really think that "collapsing under the pressure" is a sound rationale for categorization as "one that got away".

You are deluded if you think Hawthorn are safe and sound up in the Top 4 with Geelong. Every year a team from the bottom 8 makes the top 4. That also means you will have Port Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and perhaps even Carlton breathing down your neck just like us.

Show me where I said we are safe and sound, or are assured of anything?

One thing I do know though is, we are the reigning premiers, and have the youngest list in the comp. Of course anything can happen in a season, but one thing is certain... you guys, a bottom-8 side, do NOT go into '09 evenly matched with us.

 

[TigerGlory]

So what? You've shown that it's happened before. Far, far more often bottom-8 sides DON'T make the top-4, and even less the Grand Final. And you've shown me nothing to suggest that the Tigers will be amongst this very small minority that make such a jump.

Its happened before, so it will happen again. Whether or not its Richmond, or another team will be revealed later on this year, however, there is no doubt that we are the team that is expected to rise. We have beaten the other potential challengers in Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Carlton. We also were one of the form teams in the run home, and if we continue on our good form, then we'll be there.

And show me a side that doesn't have a handful of these type scenarios each and every year. Every single bottom-8 side (and top-8 sides for that matter) have 'could have', 'should have' games.

And do you really think that "collapsing under the pressure" is a sound rationale for categorization as "one that got away".

Im not denying that other sides have these scenarios, simply stating the ones that we had, and that they need to be taken advantage of. Our side matured over the course of the year, and we ended up handling the pressure in the end, disposing of Brisbane, Port and Fremantle in close games, as well as beating Hawthorn the second time round. All im saying is that we are certainly capable of finishing Top 4, when we potentially could have this year, without certain players playing.

Show me where I said we are safe and sound, or are assured of anything?

One thing I do know though is, we are the reigning premiers, and have the youngest list in the comp. Of course anything can happen in a season, but one thing is certain... you guys, a bottom-8 side, do NOT go into '09 evenly matched with us.

I didnt say you said it. However, most reigning premiers would expect to be back there the next year, im sure your expecting that?

Our style of play clashed with Hawthorn's significantly and it showed. We lost one game by 2 goals, and we came back and won easily the second time around. One thing is certain, I would be confident going into a game that we could play and defeat Hawthorn, which puts us in a good position.

 

[OneEyedHawk]

Its happened before, so it will happen again. Whether or not its Richmond, or another team will be revealed later on this year, however, there is no doubt that we are the team that is expected to rise. We have beaten the other potential challengers in Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Carlton. We also were one of the form teams in the run home, and if we continue on our good form, then we'll be there. Im not denying that other sides have these scenarios, simply stating the ones that we had, and that they need to be taken advantage of. Our side matured over the course of the year, and we ended up handling the pressure in the end, disposing of Brisbane, Port and Fremantle in close games, as well as beating Hawthorn the second time round. All im saying is that we are certainly capable of finishing Top 4, when we potentially could have this year, without certain players playing.:

Huh? Every team in the comp COULD have finished top-4, if they could magically go back in time and change the results.They all had games they possibly should have won, and games where maybe they were lucky.

The ladder is an accurate representation of yours, and every other teams, standing in the competition. You play 22 games and the amout of wins you have determines where you finish. You guys were in the bottom half, whether you strung some late wins together means nothing, only that earlier in the year you must've obviously strung some losses together.

I didnt say you said it. However, most reigning premiers would expect to be back there the next year, im sure your expecting that?

Not necessarily. I think we're as good as any other team in the comp, but anything can happen throughout a season. At any rate, saying my team will finish in the same position as last year has alot more plausability than you saying you expect yours will jump 5-6 spots. And arguably the toughest 5-6spots too, from non-finalists to top-4 heavyweights.

Our style of play clashed with Hawthorn's significantly and it showed. We lost one game by 2 goals, and we came back and won easily the second time around. One thing is certain, I would be confident going into a game that we could play and defeat Hawthorn, which puts us in a good position.

It was one game. Hence, this 'good position' you speak of is the position of possibly winning ONE game. And let's not forget, this game was entirely meaningless for one club. It was a good effort, and they should rightly have been pleased with themselves, but let's not lose perspective.

Just out of interest, do you share the same view as T4T and MadTiger, that Hawthorn & Richmond are evenly placed going into '09?

 

[Madtiger2006]

There is plenty difference between us, in most areas.

Our respective midfields are poles apart. Most of these threads have you guys chronically overrating your midfield based on the fact that it's a given that Cousins and Coughlan will both not only return, but star...immediately. Cousins I have no doubt still has what it takes skill-wise, but let's be honest, him picking up where he left off is far from a sure thing. He's been out of the game 18 months, and is suffering from a disease which stacks the odds heavily against him. Also, a spell that long in duration leaves him extremely susceptible to soft-tissue injuries, which he already succombed to in his last outing. I hope like hell he makes a go of it, but it's mere guesswork to presume anything either way. Ditto Coughlan, I love this bloke, but his injuries have been/are chronic, is anyone's guess whether his body will be able to stand up to the rigours of AFL footy. Take out one of both of these two, and your midfield looks far less promising. Either way, you're kidding yourself if you think our midfields are evenly matched.

Same with the defences. I'm a big wrap for some of the young Tiger defenders, but they don't have the runs on the board yet. Our defence may not be the strength of our team, but the fact remains that we have 3x AA in our back 6, and play a style of footy that sees our midfield push back and assist the defence at every opportunity.

Our forward lines are worlds apart, worlds. And not just becuase of Buddy. Buddy (110+ goals), Roughy (75), Williams, Rioli, Osborne, Dew, Campbell Brown switchng back-and-forth, Hodge pinch-hitting there at times, not to mention some highly rated young KPP's waiting in the wings for an opportunity (Thorp, Dowler, Schoenmakers etc).

You two guys are SERIOUSLY deluded if you think that going into '09, the Tigers, a team which finished in the bottom half of the competition, are evenly matched with the premiership team.

I'm not saying we will, but just saying it's possible. We are good enough to win 15 games if things go right, while the Hawks may win about 19. But the Hawks are pretty beatable as was proven between Round 10-20 last year. I think you guys only won about half the games in that period. You must remember Cogs has only done his knee once. The doctor didn't fix it properly so they had to re-do the op when they saw it hadn't healed right. He's had several different injuries and did his hammy due to the knee. But there is nothing to say he had bad knees, groins, hammys etc. He's had a good 2 years to get the knee right and every time he has come back from a long term injury, he has only taken 3 or 4 games to reach his peak again. In 2005 he was getting 40 touches by about Round 7. Even last year he picked up 40 touches for Coburg. He never relied on pace and he is very fit. It's all about confidence and he picks it up quickly. So don't be surprised if he is picking up 40 touches very soon. He deserves a good run with injury and if he does, look out

 

[Top_4_Tiger]

Just out of interest, do you share the same view as T4T and MadTiger, that Hawthorn & Richmond are evenly placed going into '09?

You regularly put a shocking spin on other people's posts.

Lighten up.

 

[OneEyedHawk]

You regularly put a shocking spin on other people's posts.

Lighten up.

I regularly put a spin on your posts. But then, even your own supporters acknowledge your "optimism".

FWIW, I think it's pretty reasonable to question your assertion that the premiers and the 9th-placed team go into 2009, allthings considered, evenly placed. Were this thread not hidden away in a place where predominantly only Richmond and Carlton supporters bear witness, I'd be pretty confident that you would've been laughed out of town for saying that.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

With Deledio, Cousins, Foley, Cotchin, Tuck, Coughlan, Tambling, Richardson and more quality midfielders - Richmond could finish 3rd or 4th with a bit of luck.

We might be better than the Kangaroos, St Kilda, Collingwood and Bulldogs now.

I think Geelong will dominate again, Hawthorn will drop a little bit to 3rd/4th, either Collingwood/Kangaroos/Port to finish 2nd and Richmond 3rd/4th.

Bulldogs too old now, St Kilda are just Carlton in the future, so obviously they're no chance, and other contenders are too old to improve by much.

Coughlan will be the smokie.

There' so many things wrong with this post it's not funny.

Your reason for Richmond finishing top 4, is the amount of quality that you perceive you will have in 2009.

Hodge, Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis, Bateman, Rioli, Tuck, McGlynn, Morton, Muston...see, we can all rattle off names. Problem is 2 of your key players in Coghlan and Cousins have big question marks hanging over them.

You're also overlooking the quality on other lists...including the premier team and claiming that they will drop...on what basis??

Bulldogs are too old?? What a load of BS. Who on their list do they rely on that is past it?? They have quality in Higgins and Everitt coming through, not to mention a Brownlow medalist, a guy by the name of Cross who is better than any midfielder at Tigerland, a fantastic FB and a decent coach.

Your 'St Kilda are just Carlton in the future', is just lazy smug posting.

You've allowed yourself to get caught up in the off season hype of who's training well and who missed last year, and somehow forgotten to factor in that all clubs have players coming back from injury, developing kids and quality players that will be given new roles.

To claim that a team coming from 9th, and with such a long history of finding ways to stumble will leap-frog teams that had strong showings in 2008, while backing it up with nothing much more than player names and smug attitudes towards clubs who've been as disappointing, if not a lot less disappointing than your own club in recent memory is just naive and fanciful.

 

[jonoman89]

There' so many things wrong with this post it's not funny.

Your reason for Richmond finishing top 4, is the amount of quality that you perceive you will have in 2009.

Hodge, Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis, Bateman, Rioli, Tuck, McGlynn, Morton, Muston...see, we can all rattle off names. Problem is 2 of your key players in Coghlan and Cousins have big question marks hanging over them.

You're also overlooking the quality on other lists...including the premier team and claiming that they will drop...on what basis??

Bulldogs are too old?? What a load of BS. Who on their list do they rely on that is past it?? They have quality in Higgins and Everitt coming through, not to mention a Brownlow medalist, a guy by the name of Cross who is better than any midfielder at Tigerland, a fantastic FB and a decent coach.

Your 'St Kilda are just Carlton in the future', is just lazy smug posting.

You've allowed yourself to get caught up in the off season hype of who's training well and who missed last year, and somehow forgotten to factor in that all clubs have players coming back from injury, developing kids and quality players that will be given new roles.

To claim that a team coming from 9th, and with such a long history of finding ways to stumble will leap-frog teams that had strong showings in 2008, while backing it up with nothing much more than player names and smug attitudes towards clubs who've been as disappointing, if not a lot less disappointing than your own club in recent memory is just naive and fanciful.

Fantastic post.

It's hard to see the Tigers in the top 8 - we've been thinking that for so long, and every time been let down. I'll believe it when it happens.

 

[cormick]

I regularly put a spin on your posts. But then, even your own supporters acknowledge your "optimism".

FWIW, I think it's pretty reasonable to question your assertion that the premiers and the 9th-placed team go into 2009, allthings considered, evenly placed. Were this thread not hidden away in a place where predominantly only Richmond and Carlton supporters bear witness, I'd be pretty confident that you would've been laughed out of town for saying that.

You might as well give up. They're deluded. Stop embarrasing them

 

[im a legend]

I wouldn't say top 4 but would definitely be aiming for top 8 this year which is expected. Given a few years for kids like Riewoldt and Hughes and maybe Vickory and Post to lift up our forward line. Plus the midfield is only getting better with a heap of talent and we have a backline with loads of depth and talent. There is nothing to say that we wont be real contenders for top 4 finishes for years to come.

 

[jordan7]

2006: 9th
2007: 16th
2008: 9th
2009: 16th

bollocks. richmond are going to play finals this year and with our current crop of players i believe we are capable of doing that. Cousins is a massive inclusion into our squad and i know he isnt the same as he was at the eagles but his experience could hold key to us being in finals in 09.

 

[Barnzy123]

bollocks. richmond are going to play finals this year and with our current crop of players i believe we are capable of doing that. Cousins is a massive inclusion into our squad and i know he isnt the same as he was at the eagles but his experience could hold key to us being in finals in 09.

He is a good inclusion yes but we still would of had the list to make the finals without him. He's not the be all or end all of our team.

 

[jordan7]

thats what im trying to say. our team is great and he is a great inclusion making our team even MORE capable of reaching the finals this year.

 

[jgb99]

Anything less than top 8 is a fail for them. My tip is 5th ATM, but wouldn't be surprised if they sneaked into the top 4.