2008 - Surely it couldn’t be worse

Posted on March 13, 2008 | Category: Discussions

A Richmond membership for the year of 2008 is an exercise in loyalty and faith. I’m not sure that I know of anyone who actually believes that the Tiges are likely to get near being in contention this year, and it would be far too optimistic to believe that we could play in a final. So there won’t be many supporters getting a membership in the hope that they’ll be able to reserve finals tickets, that much can be certain.

It’s very rare that I’d be heading into a season without that sense of optimism that “maybe this will be the year”. Keep in mind, “the year” doesn’t mean winning the flag - I’ve been hurt too many times to believe that might be possible, but the year means making the finals. Any finals.

But enough of my self-indulgent whinging, this is my annual “predictions for the season” post. So where we go:

1. Foley to win the Jack Dyer.  If the Tiges are any chance to be successful this year we need Nathan Foley to have a year at least on par with last year. And while there’s little doubt that he’ll receive a lot more “attention” than last year, I’m desperately hoping that we see the same hard running, in-and-under from the ugly little man.
2. Richo’s last hurrah. I know that he wants to keep going, and everything in my heart wants him to too, but I’m afraid I just can’t see Matty getting past this year. His ability to turn around is currently limited to the width of the 50m arc, and if it wasn’t for the fact that he bleeds black and yellow, he would have given up a couple of years ago. I love him, but I think this could be it. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen before the end of the year.
3. Will Thursfield to mature. Thursfield has shown some fantastic signs, and it would be a wonderful thing to see him develop into a certain-selection key defender. I think it’s got to happen.
4. A big win over a team that’s much better than us. It happens every year, usually once the season has no real meaning (out of finals contention).
5. Wallace to get fired if we end up below 10th. Probably Greg Miller too. It’s hard to see either man staying for the duration of contract if we end up well outside the 8. Which is bad news because my prediction is for a final standing of
6. 11th.

Anyone else have any comments/predictions? I’d love to hear it.

» Filed Under Discussions

Tags:

• Matthew Richardson
• Nathan Foley
• Predictions
• Terry Wallace
• Will Thursfield

3 Responses to “2008 - Surely it couldn’t be worse”

1. Yeah, I know… | TheGeoffRe(y)port Says:
   March 13th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

   [...] …not much happening here. There’s a few things in the back of my mind, waiting for a post. In the meantime,there’s a prediction for 2008 post up on The Wounded Tiger. [...]

2. mark E Says:
   March 14th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

   If Pollack could learn how to kick straight…this could be the year he plays up forward, he is a great mark.
   I think your prediction of 11th is fair, if Nathan B and Troy S can stay on the park, there is no reason they could not make the finals.

   I think Wallace should get the boot. What improvement has he made on the team he took on? As you say, without significant improvement by round 18, he should go. Sheedy to return?

3. Gaz Says:
   March 19th, 2008 at 3:09 am

   Geoff, as a long term Saints supporter, trust me when I say it can always get worse.

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