Here's some positives.
We played okay despite our boon recruits in Johnson and Blumfield having average games.
Newman showed he can be an effective tagger in the backline.
Rodan got some experience in playing down back. Although i didn't agree with Frawley's move to put him there, it at least gave Rodan another perspective on the game, and hopefully he can be more accountable and man up when he moves back to the centre.
Kellaway and Gaspar did good jobs down back, killing their more fancied opponents.
Hall and Stafford did well in the ruck and Hall in particular looks like he has improved quite a bit from last year.
Zantuck looks to be the goods, given some more time on the paddock to get some stamina up and he should star.
Coughlan continued where he left off last year and should plug up the centre for Richmond for the next ten years.
Richardson's endeavour was good and at least he got his hands on the footy quite a bit. He'll never beat his mental demons but still has the ability to turn games, a rare quality.
I think we have proven that we can match it with alot of good sides, and our win/loss ratio will probably come down to how accurate we are in front of goal. We should have a shot of beating every team we play. (Yes even Brisbane. I wasn't that impressed with their showing agaisnt Essendon. Essendon were missing alot of players, and the umpires ended the game with the first quarter. I think down here particularly Richmond has a shot at dethroning them.)
Oh and did i forget to mention Wayne Campbell? Living proof that football is played between the ears. Not the biggest, not the strongest, not the quickest, not the flashiest, not the most talented, but out and out the best. I wonder if he will make the next Richmond team of the century. He was too good for the last one.
