Afl Post-mortem
The Age
Wednesday September 14, 2005
In the third part of our look at the eight bottom-placed teams this season, Lyall Johnson analyses where Richmond and the Brisbane Lions faltered, and where they can find optimism for next season.
12th Richmond WHAT WENT RIGHT?After the disappointment of 2004 the only way was up for the Tigers but their 2005 exceeded almost all expectations.A new coach with a new attacking game plan gave the side renewed confidence; the development of a raft of young players, including Shane Tuck and Brett Deledio, brought with it hope for the future; while the continued good form of Matthew Richardson and Wayne Campbell and the return to form of Mark Coughlan and Darren Gaspar gave the leadership that was needed. Even off-field Richmond was about as settled as it gets, the Jay Schulz/TAC episode aside. But even that cloud had a silver lining with a new sponsor. Overall the Tigers kicked more goals, leaked less, blooded youth, were for the most part an honourable contender in defeat and started to play an attacking, yet still accountable, style that was exciting and could see them a true finals contender in the next few years. Some "faith" was also restored for fans - a commodity that can't be underestimated down Punt Road way.WHAT WENT WRONG?While the Tigers' obvious skill deficiencies always meant they would come back to the pack in the second half of the year, Nathan Brown's shocking leg injury seemed to hasten things. And while Brown trains hard to return in 2006, rumours abound that the injury may have ruined his career. Yet again Richmond could not carry early season form through to the business end, and a key loss to Carlton probably cost it a finals chance. Except for Richardson, it was found out for not having enough class or key-position strength.DISAPPOINTMENTS GREG TIVENDALE Another poor year from Tivendale, whose confidence seems to have deserted him.He will see his spot under pressure.JAY SCHULZ His inability to secure a regular senior spot has some asking questions.WORST PERFORMANCE Round 18 capitulation to cellar-dweller Carlton.BEST PERFORMANCE SMASHING PORT ADELAIDE IN ROUND 6, BEATING BRISBANE AT THE GABBA,AND GOING WITHIN A KICK OF KNOCKING OFF WEST COAST.RISING STARS The best of the best was Deledio, the NAB Rising Star. His silky skills, pace, work ethic and decision-making ability (which, according to Wayne Campbell is the best of anyone at the club) make him a true star of the future. But Tuck was by far the standout. His amazing season will see him go close to winning the club's best and fairest and a top 15 finish in the Brownlow Medal beckons. Coughlan was virtually a new recruit after his injury-plagued 2004, Kayne Pettifer saved his career with a great effort in front of goal, Thomas Roach continues to show glimpses, while rookie Will Thursfield got off to a good start down back and Richard Tambling will only improve with more game time. Adam Pattison struggled at AFL level but is regarded as a gun centre half-forward prospect.BEST AND FAIREST It will be a very close Jack Dyer Medal count this year, with the main hopes being Tuck, Joel Bowden, Kane Johnson and Coughlan. Don't discount the chances of former skipper Campbell.Richardson will also poll well.COACH Injected new spirit, confidence and professionalism. Delivered attacking footy, blooded youth and was positive tactically.Has become the very public face of the club.PLAYERS USED 30 GAMES MISSED BY TOP FIVE PLAYERS (Brown, Richardson, Bowden, Johnson, Coughlan) 14 WHAT DO THEY NEED?Develop tall options, especially down back, with Gaspar and Andrew Kellaway both on the wrong side of 30 next year. Also a gun centre halfforward to replace Richo. Foot skills heading inside 50 have been shocking for years and the Tigers need more goalkicking options.BY THE NUMBERS 15TH in tackles allowed opponents an average 311 disposals per game.averaged lowest frees against - 14.5 5TH lowest scoring team 10TH best defensively 11th Brisbane Lions WHAT WENT RIGHT?Not a huge amount really for the 2004 runner-up. After a shocking start to the season, the old firm of Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis, Nigel Lappin, Simon Black and Jonathan Brown finally started to click and they led the charge to a possible finals berth before the wheels fell off at the business end. The season saw youngsters Jed Adcock, Justin Sherman, Daniel Merrett and Troy Selwood find their feet, and the continued progress of Anthony Corrie.WHAT WENT WRONG?Injuries kept too many of their best campaigners off the park for too long, and too often restricted their impact when they were on it. But underlying this, the Lions paid a somewhat ironic price for their recent stellar years. The past four years of success with their formidible bunch of superstars has meant the Lions' young and lower to mid-range players have not seen enough game time to allow them to develop, which this season meant that when times got tough on the injury and form fronts, they were simply not good enough to carry the load. The string of surprising early season losses at their Gabba fortress also cost them dearly in the end.DISAPPOINTMENTS Injuries to JONATHAN BROWN deprived the team, and the game in general, of one of the competition's superstars for almost half the season.The slow development of JARED BRENNAN. Injuries and lack of maturity have combined to keep him a bit player despite some much-hyped promise.Late-season injuries to JUSTIN LEPPITSCH, CLARK KEATING and NIGEL LAPPIN cost the side dearly in experience when the season was on the line, while Richard Hadley's knee reconstruction was a blow before the year started.WORST PERFORMANCE In their round-22 match against a fierce St Kilda, the Lions were shown how they once destroyed good teams.BEST PERFORMANCE On a saturated Gabba in round 13, the Lions absolutely demolished Geelong. Akermanis' performance was possibly the standout of any player in 2005.RISING STARS Selwood, Sherman and defender Josh Drummond show a lot of promise, but it was big Daniel Merrett who set tongues wagging. While his stats were good but not extraordinary, his stength, size, good hands and accurate boot make him a formidable forward target who could eventually fill the void left by Alastair Lynch.BEST AND FAIREST Akermanis had a great year and might snatch the honours, but Lappin had the side's highest average possession rate. Luke Power, Black and Voss were also solid.COACH A coach can only work with what he has in front of him, and Matthews simply did not have the players. Did well to arrest the early slide and drive his players to a chance at finals action.PLAYERS USED 29 GAMES MISSED BY TOP FIVE PLAYERS (Akermanis, Voss, Brown, Black, Lappin) 20 WHAT DO THEY NEED?Continue to give youngsters more game time while still getting the most out of their older, yet still outstanding, players.A succession plan is needed for the likes of Mal Michael, Justin Leppitsch and Chris and Brad Scott. In recent years the Lions have carried a long injury list through the season, so better luck in that department would be handy.BY THE NUMBERS 45.5 per cent win rate at Gabba 5TH highest scoring club 3RD highest average tackles Biggest ladder drop - 2nd to 11th averaged 67 less disposals in losing matches.
© 2005 The Age
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