Make no mistake, we were seriously scratchy for much of the game.
Several players underdone (lambo, short, Astbury, Cotchin) and a few out of form (Caddy, Rioli, even Lynch). But they are big, experienced bodies and we need them playing together.
Repeat oppo entries were un-Richmond like.
Lack of forward cohesion was un-Richmond like, but sadly a theme for 2019.
It might just be a tactic for Marvel, but teams are sweating on our poor entries and mopping up far too easily.
That tells me that we’re playing too high. Mozzies getting sucked up the ground to help a flaky midfield. Full belief and confidence isn’t there yet.
The stretch and shape that in-form, confident and cohesive teams have still eludes us. At least it did until the last.
For much of the game, when the high ball went in, it was Lynch without support, and his ground pressure is shizen.
But ... you could see us working out the cobwebs over four quarters. Pleasingly, the likes of Rioli, so out of touch, seriously amped up the intensity in the last.
We still have gears. We can still pile on the goals. Not sure when our last seven goal quarter was but it’s a great sign.
No injuries.
Beat Gold Coast and we are 9-6 with a lovely run at the G to come.
People need to realise that we have been handed the perfect finals tune up by the AFL. It’s not the teams we play, it’s the ground we know so well. Massive tactical advantage.
Hardwick wasn’t happy but he’s in war mode now.
I think the club expected to be here, at 8-6, with our pre-season and then the injuries.
Best case scenario, we finish on 15-16 even if we drop a couple (Collingwood, West Coast). Under the radar and with muted expectation.
I am quietly confident about where we sit.
