Posted on May 15, 2008 | Category: Players
Just at the moment, one of the happiest places in the world, although difficult, is the Richmond selection table. Because while we’re still hanging out for a win or two to go with the positive play we’ve been experiencing, there’s no doubt that the men in charge of picking the boys to get out on the park every week have plenty to choose from. With only Andrew Raines out, the full compliment is there.
Mark Coughlan played a half for Coburg on the weekend, and by all reports was fine. He’ll be a while away from getting picked, but in that same game, there were probably 6 players who all put in games decent enough to warrant selection. Terry Wallace has said that there’s no way that all six will be out there against Geelong this Saturday - so who should be in? Let’s take a look.
Having been sent back to the magoos, Bowden has received nothing but praise for his endeavour and skill in the VFL. Coburg coach Jade Rawlings has barely let a conversation with a journalist go past without highlighting that Bowden is a class above the standard VFL fare. Interestingly, instead of playing off the half-backline as he has been such a regular feature in the past few years, Bowden has been making a go at half forward.
Pettifer copped a one match suspension in a game that he would have been dropped from anyway, but then proceeded to injure his hamstring and has been working his way back to fitness. Pettifer was a better player last season than he has ever been for the Tiges, but there are still some deep-seated concerns about the way he plays. Like lots of small forwards, Pettifer suffers from believing that the most important thing he can do in any situation is to try and kick a goal - to the point that there is very little else that is encompassed in his game.
So with Bowden and Pettifer both vying for a spot in Richmonds forward line - who do you drop? Morton has been good enough to deserve his spot, Riewoldt is probably developing quickly enough to deserve keeping his jumper for the time being at least. Seems to me that it could only be Matthew White or Shane Edwards who could be dropped - probably Edwards.
Verdict: We could really do with the flexibility and experience that Joel Bowden represents. Bowden in for Edwards. Leave Pettifer in the VFL for at least one more.
Polak was a late omission against the Saints, and although Schulz played in that game the two both played for Coburg on the weekend: an indication that the two could well be fighting for the same spot. Polak at his best is certainly the better player - the man takes a great mark and can be a lethal target up forward as well as blanketing opposition targets in the backline. But at times he lacks the confidence to live up to that prodigious talent. Schulz on the other hand is mostly a fairly honest plodder. He always seems to be giving his all, but at times lacks both the physical skills as well as the mental ability to be a really damaging player. Both played well against Collingwood in the VFL.
Verdict: Polak. He’s the better player, and is the better option when pushed forward.
These two players, both midfield types, couldn’t be much further removed from one another. Cotchin, Richmond’s first round draft pick (no. 2 overall) in this year’s draft is an exciting young player. He’s struggled with injury over the pre-season, but has now strung together 4 games with Coburg, and looks ready for the big time. At any other time in the past few years, we’d have given him a game already, but we don’t have any midfielders who are easy to drop.
Contrastingly, Greg Tivendale is surely at the very tail end of his career at Richmond. Playing in the VFL, Tivendale dominates games. He’ll consistently rack up 30 plus posessions in the seconds and look like he deserves to be a regular fixture in the senior side. But time after time, he gets given opportunities in the big league, and for the past three years, has rarely performed. Once again, his name is being put forward for selection.
Verdict: Unfortunately for young Cotchin, I can’t see a spot for him this week. Chris Hyde or Daniel Jackson are his best chances for replacement, but both of them are good run-with players (nice way of saying “tagger”), coming up against the best midfield in the land. Give him a game next week against the Bombers. Tivendale is a lost cause and should have been delisted end of last year.
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May 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
[...] Spoke too soon. [...]
May 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I’m hoping Cotchin gets some games. But only cos he’s in my dream team and I need some back up midfielders!
I used to go out with Coughlan’s cousin. I met him once at a Chrissie thing but didn’t talk to him much. The whole family are rabid Tigers supporters.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Saw Cotchin a little bit on the weekend out there for Coburg. Looked good, but will likely struggle with the pace of AFL for the first bit. But it’ll be exciting to see the boy out there.