Matthew Parker | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Matthew Parker

If he's getting game's we're in trouble for me regardless of his toughness.
Agree. ..
Always thought that if Parker was considered best 22 at the beginning of this season, we were gonna struggle ... and so far that's how it's looking. .... not completely out of contention for a finals berth but heading that way now.
 
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Parker's inability to execute a simple kick. To decide where to kick. To decide whether to run or dump. To look. These inabilities really stood out against the Crows. 15 disposals for 9 turnovers. 2 very good goal assists.

His poor ball use was match losing. He was pivotal in two early Crow goals. Had he used the ball when he got it we'd have won the game. The shot he took was a panic.

His hustle on Dawson and Doedee was better than George's. He was often effective on Dawson (7 turnovers).

Get ball, panic. It's something we saw from Grimes, Broad, Short, Marlion, Astbury. Even occasionally from the ever-reliable George, who never misses.

It's not necessarily chronic. At the very least we can treat it. Conservative use. Knowing where the outlet is. Getting someone to the outlet is a help.

Had Parker used the ball instead of destroying it there is no doubt in my mind we win that game. He didn't cost us the game because he cannot be expected to do much better at this stage. But he can improve his use.

He's another bloke who can improve if we get some structure and continuity. The 9 howler disposals were offset by some very urgent and smart running. And some real bite. Classes above Aarts.

He's a rare type. I like the good stuff he brings a lot.
Horrible foot skills, I’m not sure how someone who can’t kick made it to AFL level.
Surely we’re past past playing poorly skilled blokes just because they try hard . I love it when he brings the heat but that can’t be all you’ve got, you’ve got to have more clubs in the bag than that surely
 
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He’s doing his absolute best and until our side settles down after injuries etc to key players I am not going to knock him.
 
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We don't play hime because he tries hard, broders. He's what we've got for now. And he runs and gets there. In fact, he is elite for running. A bit like most of the other former panic merchants I mentioned above.

The thing that's getting me about Parker is not that he is woeful by foot - he always was - it's that he is giving us something we don't want to lose - urgency. And he keeps getting there.

We will replace him. As TBR says, possibly with Sydders. But that wouldn't aid the urgency.

I'm looking for a place in this side for Nigel Mansell. He will certainly play ones and possibly soon. He is nowhere near the athlete or body that Grimes is and will never be able to play that role.

There's another role implication with our imminent demotion of Parker - he picks up after Baker. Baker works inside and Parker works wider and higher.

In terms of skill we have glamour coming through and plenty of it. 2016ish for youth coming through. Very good signs.

We have to keep an eye on urgency. FWIW I thought Parker outplayed George on the night.
 
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All i want him to do is lay 10 bone crunching tackles a game and not allow anyone around him to get an easy possession. The goals or goal assists are a welcome addition.

He isn't bringing the heat right now and that's a massive problem if he is turning it over like he is currently.

I can see why he's more valuable hunting opponents than the ball, Jason. But he was a constant threat at ground level and used beautifully twice out of fifteen times. ;D And we have trained others who were equally bad for panicking if not as bad skill wise.

Anyway, he's on the fringe with others coming through.
 
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Matt Parker brings good hustle and hassle but his execution is below average, and as you point out, costly.
The introduction of the Stand Rule should have put a line through recruiting him in last year's mid season draft, as this rule was designed to open the game up / dilute (Richmond's) pressure tactics, and in doing so increased the premium on kicking efficiency.
That Richmond went ahead and recruited him anyway suggests that at that point not only were they still in denial about the impact of the Stand Rule, but that they still thought they were in the 2021 premiership race.
If we are to be a serious contender this year, we need blokes that don't stargaze with ball in hand, can pick the right option, and don't turn it over.

But we have been able to bring the heat a few times this year, haven't we, 17? I'm seeing a bit of a return to that fashion at times. And I'm certain that in terms of swarming we are better at it with Parker on the ground than (for strongest contrast) Caddy.

How's Rioli look when he gets lively in the swarm? MRJ will be in the ones this year and maybe soon if he keeps it up. He can teleport onto unsuspecting opponents. Heat still works.

And to your point about kicking efficency, well, the club totally agrees with you. And Gibcus, Juddy, Banks, MRJ and Brown can all slice with their use. (Compare with RCD, Martyn, Ross, Ralphsmith et al.)

We looked like *smile* for youth on the back of three mediocre years of recruiting. (Perhaps with a lack of skill focus.) Parker is a stopgap. But he brings something that is working right now. Had he used instead of destroyed the ball last week - we win.

The game is not yet netball.
 
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Agree. ..
Always thought that if Parker was considered best 22 at the beginning of this season, we were gonna struggle ... and so far that's how it's looking. .... not completely out of contention for a finals berth but heading that way now.
I think the round 1 team both rewarded players who had good preseasons and showed our ruck preference. So Gibcus, HRS, aarts, Ross, and soldo back up ruck. No vlas or Lambert but most players available. Dow, Parker and Miller get their turn. And win.. clubs tend to play players that have been traded ahead of the young draftees. So, fine, have another look at Parker. But what we see is the same Parker. Runs but low on skills. (Why did we retain him?) Better to leave a list spot open for the mid year draft. The team are playing some good football but not winning. The competition has left us behind. Lambert will walk right into the 22. Stack comes back in this week I reckon. So players play well in the first now, could hold their spot for the year. Although a loss, I'm more critical of players performance.
good VFL form Mansell, sonsie and MRJ and others is encouraging.
 
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Parker can play a bit but not sure playing him in front of getting some game time into one of the kids is a good idea.
 
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Come on people.
We have won 3 flags in the 5 years.
it's not richmond 1991. We don't need to be this desperate. We have selected kids play them.
Because Parker isn't AFL standard.
His 2 turnovers in the first qtr started the Adelaide run.
 
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Parker and castagna in the same forward line is a horror show
Neither should be in our best 22. George played his role super well in the 2017 to 19 period but has really fallen away since then.

Rather be putting games into kids than playing these two. As Dimma says, sometimes you’ve got to take a step back in order to take 2 steps forward
 
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I feel you on this; I think it’s because…
 

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He makes Mitch Robinson look like Greg Williams.
He was everywhere when he came on. Pity he can't kick and he has the same hands as flappers McIntosh.
The worse thing for us is the 3 goals he kicked against Stkilda. Hardwick thinks he has discovered a player
 
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Looks absolutely lost out there running everywhere trying to get a kick and failed
 
Not sure how many times I need to say this but he is a player who has limited skill and ability. Should be nowhere near the senior team.
 
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