Chris – Page 3

Pilgrimage to the big smoke part 3: Tigerland

10/09/2017 By Chris 3 Comments

I upped sticks from Andy’s place, dropped my stuff at Dugald’s for Night 2 of the pilgrimage, and headed to lunch at the London Tavern in Richmond. I am not a gifted bon vivant, raconteur or bain marie, and so my attempts to organise a gathering were feeble and unsuccessful. Next time there will be more notice, more hoopla and possibly door prizes. Tiger jumpers (and one or two furtive Saints) were everywhere. I relaxed with a chicken schnitz and a Guinness, and tweeted my location and the above photofit image. Tumbleweeds, crickets. But I was enjoying the atmosphere anyway, of one of Richmond’s favourite pre-game pubs before a should-win game. (One block from Ralph Carr’s office, by the way). On the way out of the pub I got my first loose-ball get of the day as I passed some kick-to-kick in Richmond Terrace.

I arrived at Punt Road Oval to see the VFL Tigers giving standalone Coburg a bath. A few players had been rested for this, Bachelor was watching and Stengel, Maric and Mendaue were not out there either. Some other observations;

Mabior Chol looks a fair way off. In wet and slippery conditions he dropped a ball and kept trying to pick it up. Just boot it forwards son!
Sam Lloyd is a sensational set kick. Under no pressure today but he just gets into a zone.
Ben Griffiths sank a 55 metre set shot in classic style.
Ben Lennon looks unstoppable at this level.
Ant Miles also dominated and is hot favourite for the Morrish Medal

With no help from my bad directions, Sean Ross (@sjhross) tracked me down and we talked about babies, Sydney v Melbourne and Tigers, Tigers, Tigers. A bloke beside us chimed in that he was at an intimate pre-season insiders-only Crown lager-style knees up with Dimma. Desperate for a shred of hope after the poor showing of 2016, he begged for something to hang his hat on. Dimma said one word; Rioli.

Having discharged family lunch duties, Andy rejoined me and as the VFL game wound down, we headed up the hill to the big ground.

After bag searches and a thorough wanding, I was stuck at the turnstile when it turned out I had brought my 2016 membership card. Huge thank you to the steward who sussed that I wasn’t trying to be smart – this must happen a lot I guess. She suggested I go around the RFC membership caravan and see if they could rig me up a ticket. Fortunately that went smoothly, so I went back through the searches and then commenced a search of my own for Andy.

My knowledge of the MCG has hardly improved at all despite fairly frequent visits. It looks different full to half-full; and things seem to change regularly. Andy likes to move about during games, and I was interested in seeing it from different vantage points too, as well as not losing my native guide. I found him in the area near the Cricketers Arms known as The Grog Squad – and whaddaya know, with him was the famous Swish Schwerdt (@swishtter) keeping a low profile in his Adelaide Crows cap. It was great to see him again. Swish writes for the Footy Almanac and is a ~~wisearse~~ wise presence on Footy Twitter as well. The Grog Squad of 2017 probably compares to that of 1987 like a labrador to a hyena; people don’t bring and drink an esky-ful any more. Still the barracking was blue, occasionally funny, not very creative but lively all the same. Swish has written his outsider impressions here at the Almanac. Didn’t love it. Someone called a Saint a retard and apart from that it was all pretty much within community standards. I enjoyed being behind the goals and the cheersquad, and it gave me a story to tell at work. Jake Carlisle in white long-sleeves attracted some lifestyle advice. “Why don’t ya sniff some more coke, Carlisle!”

Like a few games I have been at, the Tiges kicked to the far end and started constructing a decent margin from the off. Fortunately this continued in the 2nd quarter so we could see a few sausage rolls close up. Young Towners continued where he left off. From a standing start as a defensive midfielder at VFL level, he has come in and kicked 6 against Freo and had 2 in the first and another in the 2nd. The Saints looked dead flat. In his last game Nick Riewoldt was invisible. At one stage we were up 9 goals to one. Jade Gresham seemed to be the Saints’ only scoring option. Displeasingly he snagged two in quick succession to bring some unwanted competitiveness to the game. The Butler got a late one to at least finish the quarter on the up. Halftime score Richmond 11.5.71 to St Kilda 4.3.27.

Andy went off to see someone and didn’t return until the next break. If we were a membership more secure in our finals birthright (see Hawthorn), we would have treated the 3rd quarter as the ideal lull to just go for another craft beer, or catch up with old Kayden who is now mostly doing conveyancing. (Tie over the jumper or under?) But as we are nervous nellies expecting fate to kick us up the backside at every turn; the 3rd quarter was painful. The Saints kicked four goals to a single yellow and black contribution from Jack Riewoldt. All through the third quarter Richmond fans educated Swish with their creative calls.

“Hey Membrey! MEMBREY! Yer a cunt, Membrey!!”

We had a bloke nearby who had clearly asked his mum for a Dusty haircut. Looks to me like mum had no idea so bloke had had to describe it, with mixed results. And same deal with his neck tatts. The cougars in front of us were like a 3rd-wedding hens’ night gone bad, with plenty of classic repartee like “That’s too high you fuggin blind maggot”. The last break came not a moment too soon, and I went for refreshments with the score at Richmond 12.7.79 to St Kilda 8.6.54. They doubled their score that quarter.

I got back as the the Tiges put together five minutes of sustained pressure, punctuated with goals through Dusty and Towners (4th) that just about put things beyond the Saints (more importantly this nailed down a top-four finish for the first time since 2001). The Tiges were coming home to our Punt Road End and they put on a good show. They Saints had a few chances and sprayed them, until Gresham got one back, but the mood around us had settled into relaxed confidence by this stage, and became generous and even magnanimous as the clock wound down. The rest of the game was a pretty bruise-free procession, with nothing more at stake for either side. In the flurry of Tiger goals Towners got his 5th (eleven in 2 weeks) and Prestia nailed one on the run. The Dusty song got many airings (“Oh Dustin Martin, you are the love of my life …” sung about various players in the EPL since at least 2005).

Good to be in the vicinity when the Tiges wrap up the 4 points and Trout puts up his THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN banner.

All the Tigers around us applauded Saint Nick as he was carried off by his cousin Jack from Richmond and Big Jack Something from St Kilda. Saints fans left quietly and weren’t subjected to any crowing that I witnessed. In fact the next day an elderly Sainter with a Lancashire accent rang Melbourne 774 talkback, and cracked up a little as he said thanks to Richmond supporters for respecting the retiring champ. I had a bit of a sniffle myself.

Andy charged down to the fence to soak up the atmosphere; and I followed him it was a Richmond celebration too far for the Adelaide Crow in Swish. Sorry again I dashed off on you and all the best to the tricolour hoops for the rest of September.

Andy and I enjoying the win; but I am mostly laughing because I can’t work out how to selfie.

As Andy and I made our way out, we walked smack bang into the Grog Squad’s celebratory reading of the seminal late-period Malcomson work Tigerland. They and we and everyone in there gave it the kitchen sink. A security guard winked at me and said “Don’t worry Geelong will get ya”. Outside I left Andy to prepare for his family trip; spending this glorious September full of Tiger possibilities, in Indonesia. I headed to the vacant Jellie residence with instructions to light the fire for their imminent return from Sydney.

When I got there the woodpile in the backyard was inaccesible; the back door was blocked with an anvil. An anvil. I tried the side door for possible firewood access; it was tied shut with rope. I had somehow found myself in a cartoon.

Pilgrimage to the big smoke part 2: Glenferrie Oval

05/09/2017 By Chris Leave a Comment

sweep

On Saturday, Andy and Cahaya and I got out early to catch another old VFL ground, Glenferrie Oval. I was totally unaware of the charms of this venue until I saw Mike Hugo’s ‘Footy Places’ design. I have never seen a brick Art Deco grandstand before.

This is very much my wife’s homeland. Her parents and grandparents grew up between Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell. (This why she says dahnce and I say dants). Great auntie Val, who passed away in February at 97, was a lifelong Hawk. She would have spent many fruitless afternoons here during the pre-powerhouse years. She’s the only person in my extended family with an obituary in Footy Almanac.

Glenferrie was in use this morning for Ultimate Frisbee and Lacrosse. We kicked around a little ball we found for a while before Andy threw it back to the lacrossists; I had no idea it was theirs. The turf looks like Brunswick Oval; a fluffy multicoloured mess of couch, buffalo, moss and sand. The main stand is now locked away from causal visitors and arsonists, and looks well cared-for. I like the little stand of gums squeezed between the concrete stand and the railway line, and the once brown-and-gold post holding a sign about correct dog etiquette.

Even here dogs need to poo and wee correctly.

My hosts, Andy (@readingSideways) and Cahaya (4)

Around the back of the old home of the Mayblooms, Andy noticed the late August blossom kicking in.

This pulley would have cranked the goalkicking practice netting up and down for legends like Huddo, Piggy, Lethal and Johnny Peck.

Love the gumtrees, but the cheese sticks have a certain Jeff Kennett quality to them.

Pilgrimage to the big smoke part 1: VFL grounds

04/09/2017 By Chris Leave a Comment

Part of the dazzling art collection at Andy Fuller’s place. This is Decision Boundary by Mat Greentree, mixed media 2005.

I came over from Hobart last weekend for a big hit of footy. I got to four games, six footy grounds, spent time with TTBB colleagues Andy and Dugald, and spent a night in Richmond for the first time in my life! As a bonus on Monday I also met footy artist and dedicated Tiger, Kate Birrell.

I lobbed into town on Saturday, and headed into Richmond to find Andy’s house. I had not looked at the map to locate it until I was on my way there; it is closer to Richmond Station than parts of Richmond Station! He lives in a currently closed art gallery, architecturally fascinating. I rang him when I was outside as I couldn’t find the front door; suddenly a section of wall pivoted and he invited me in, to meet his partner Nuning and and his daughter, Cahaya.

Lost footballs have a way of finding Andy

With little delay we headed out to visit Brunswick Oval, former VFL home ground of Fitzroy. The club name and jumper survives now in the amateur VAFA, with their flagship team currently in Premier B division. They were trailing Parkdale Vultures in a battle to avoid relegation. The footy was open and quite skilful; to my eyes the main difference to a level like Tasmanian State League is the body shape; Fitzroy and Parkdale players were Matthew Lappins to the TSL’s Lance Whitnalls.

Both hallowed and scruffy, the turf at Brunswick Street Oval declares that this is very much a public access park.

The coach addresses the players. His message was: “You’re better than them, why don;’t you play like it? If blokes are leading to dumb places ignore them! Ignore them!”

The Fitzroy ladies are happy to sell you a book, a pen, fingerless gloves, a scarf or a hat; in either colour-TV era Lions’ primary colours or classic Maroons’ maroon.

I am happy to be living in a time when a skerrick of good sense preserves things like the Vic Park and Brunswick Oval gatehouses.

There was a healthy crowd on the hill and in the grandstand, and big queues for the burgers which are reputedly the best in Melbourne. Time for a shoutout here to Nicko Place who lives just up the road and will definitely be on the itinerary next time. The VAFA is a dry competition, which is really interesting, and possibly news to the youth who rode up on a bike balancing a slab.

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We took off during the third quarter to have a look at the Whitten Oval, once Footscray’s VFL home ground, and now again “Footscray’s” “VFL” home ground through the contortions of crafty re-naming. A shoutout here to @theholyboot and @FMI who live nearby and will also be part of the next footy trip.

We got lost on the way and so by mistake drove over Mount Mistake, twice. [The overpass on Geelong Road that looms at the North end of the ground is traditionally called “Mount Mistake” by old time Doggies fans.]

The view across to Mount Mistake from the terraces in front of Barkers Cafe

Footscray were hosting top-of-the-ladder Williamstown, and Willy were doing as they pleased. The AFL Bulldogs’ season as reigning premiers came to an end on Friday night, and I was expecting the place to be full of misery, but people were generally looking bright and Barkers Cafe was busy.

We went to the northern goals at three quarter time. We didn’t take a ball, and Andy suggested we grab one from the official Tub Of VFL Balls. A young man of about 12 in a Bulldogs guernsey said politely but firmly that we couldn’t use those balls, sorry. Well done that lad. We dedicated ourselves to marking and turning everyone else’s shots at goal.

Three quarter time at Whitten Oval. At the top of the square, a very recognisable member of the Holy Boot extended family.

We watched the last quarter from the southern end near Mount Mistake. The Dogs were nowhere near the Seagulls, despite fielding quite a few big bodies with AFL experience and premiership medallions in Tom Boyd, Clay Smith and Tory Dickson.

A huge thanks to Andy for taking me on this pilgrimage because the traffic was frankly dreadful and my reading of the Melways not as fluent as it once was. We battled back to Richmond, and the perennial quest for a parking spot. Then we had an outstanding Thai takeaway, and I retired to my room full of art.

Bronze Teddy Whitten thumps a bronze ball up Beaurepaire Parade.

Benny Round 16 v St Kilda at Docklands

09/07/2017 By Chris 2 Comments

This was a disgusting performance, right down there in the worst. I have seen teams tank with more purpose and coordination than we showed last night against St Kilda. Before I even sat down to watch, Rance gave away 50 metres to get the headline act Nick Riewoldt up and running. But I was on the couch to see Cotchin give away another 50 (and get reported) for a stupid love-tap to the guts right in front of the umpire. And with that, the tone was set.

Our leaders’ heads were apparently already in September. The preparation for this match with a fellow top-8 side which was coming off 3 wins, was inadequate. There were distractions, but there so often are – they cannot be allowed as an excuse, as they affected both sides.

Our skills were so poor, and showed a lack of care for teammates. We were only down by 4 or 5 goals when self-preservation set in – evidenced by rushed disposals that just referred greater pressure on the recipient. The kicking for goal was criminal; Edwards, Castagna and Prestia all guilty. With a complete lack of scoreboard pressure, and minimal physical pressure, the Saints did as they pleased.

Example; about 5 mins into the 2nd quarter Newnes on the forward flank easily dodged Grigg and Rioli, and seeing the Saints had the numbers around the 50, just launched a bomb in their direction for them to raffle it. Toby Stevens got under it, time passed like treacle, and he dropped it. He picked it up again still unmolested, and then from a standing start weaved around Short and goaled with Cotchin arriving too late to bag him, and other Tigers standing off so they didn’t get ‘Joe-the-Goose’d. We let Stevens look like Leo Messi versus the Burnley Primary School under 10s and I am sure his agent will thank us.

Dusty and Jack gave us very little all night. Jack was at centre-half-back during the early onslaught and Dusty spent time at full-forward, so at least moves were attempted either by Dimma or the players themselves to get them involved. Some younger players who are now regulars had absolute stinkers, and might have to be re-graded as fringe selections.

St Kilda outscored us 9.5 to 0.1 in that 2nd quarter, and we were 82 points down at half time. We tidied up the scoreboard a little and scraped back some percentage in the 2nd half. And that is very important; but for my purposes here, goals and possessions gained after the 4 points were gone count for little.

I wasn’t at the game and I know that the crowd noise that is broadcast is not always a fair reflection of the atmosphere at the ground. Can anyone tell me, after Membrey laid out Grimes with a forearm to the face, did the Tiges crowd boo him? I didn’t hear it – on TV it seemed like the tribe had been cowed into silence, which is an awful thing to say. Membrey went on to kick 5 and seemed to enjoy a pleasant bruise-free night out.

Next week the Brisbane Lions at Etihad again. Very interesting. We are now 2 games ahead of Essendon with similar percentage. Essendon are tenth.

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The Votes

I discussed this with Joe during the game and we agreed a Black Armband approach was required. No votes for anyone.

However; on mature reflection I have decided the integrity of the Benny requires that votes be cast. Even for that inferior bauble the Brownlow (Shane Woewodin has never won the Benny) six votes are awarded even after those dire games where all 44 involved should be sentenced to community service orders.

Often after giving votes we will mention those that were unlucky. No-one was unlucky this week, and these 5 are so lucky they ought to load up on scratchie tickets.

5 votes to David Astbury who stood up pretty well after Grimes went off.

4 votes to Brandon Ellis who took big pack marks in defence in the first half.

3 votes to Kane Lambert who played bravely and didn’t go into his shell.

2 votes to Connor Menadue ditto although he made plenty of mistakes, I liked his run.

1 vote to Shaun Grigg got a lot of the pill and helped out in ruck

Leaderboard

31: Grigg, Martin
30: Cotchin
29: Rance

16: Houli
13: B. Ellis, Astbury
10: Riewoldt, Lambert
6: Grimes, Nankervis
5: Castagna
4: Rioli, Butler
2: Vlastuin, Prestia, Caddy, Menadue

1: Bolton, Stengle

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2017: Caddy, Grigg, Hampson, Houli, Hunt, Nankervis, Maric, Miles, Prestia and Townsend.)
31: Grigg
16: Houli
6: Nankervis
2: Prestia, Caddy

Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2017: Shai Bolton, Dan Butler, Ryan Garthwaite, Jack Graham, Ivan Soldo, Tyson Stengle)

4: Butler
1: Bolton, Stengle

Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot: for left footers
(Eligible 2017: Batchelor, Chol, Corey Ellis, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli).
31: Grigg
16: Houli
6: Nankervis

Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
Potentially eligible 2017: Castagna, Chol, Moore, Stengle and Soldo.
5: Castagna
1: Stengle

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
For the Tiges top tackler

87: Cotchin
75: Lambert
61: Martin
58: Nankervis
50: Houli

A couple of fours

04/07/2017 By Chris Leave a Comment

Aub Martyn was a Coburg premiership player who joined an exodus from that club to Carlton, where his brother Colin was captain. From 1929-33 he played 38 games (0 goals) before returning to Coburg. Bryce Gibbs now wears Aub’s nº 4 guernsey.

Maurie Sheahan (his name was spelled wrong on the card) was a star fullback during a strong era, and a 1932/34 premiership player. He also played in losing Grand Finals in 1929 and 33. He would have played against Aub Martyn, and also wore the nº 4 (now filled out by a different Martin, Dustin).

Open letter to Richmond: look after Bachar

28/06/2017 By Chris 14 Comments

Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Hello. I am writing as a huge Bachar Houli fan, concerned for his wellbeing.

I love how he plays and what he has brought to RFC and football generally. He is an outstanding person and one we should be very proud to have associated with our club.

I am very upset he has been found to have deliberately struck a fellow player to the head; regardless of the penalty I am sure Bachar is struggling with this characterisation of himself as an intentional thug. I honestly believe he would rather do 4 weeks for “accidental” than 2 weeks for “deliberate”.

I am smart enough to avoid the festering fans’ social media but I have already seen disgusting bigoted language used about him. I do worry in the current climate in this country there is a danger of this getting blown out of proportion and Bachar suffering as a result.

Please if you can, pass on to him that I feel nothing can take away from the amazing work he has done with his foundation and I really urge him to continue, and not take this tribunal finding to heart.

regards

Chris Rees
Richmond member

Benny Roster

15/04/2017 By Chris Leave a Comment

r1 Carlton at MCG – Chris
r2 Collingwood at MCG – Lapsed Tiger
r3 West Coast at MCD – Andy
r4 Brisbane at Gabba – Corbo
r5 Melbourne at MCG – Sean
r6 Adelaide at AO – Liahm
r7 Western Bulldogs at Etihad – Joe
r8 Fremantle MCG – Malcolm McK
r9 v GWS – Ryan
r10 v Essendon – Lapsed Tiger
r11 v North

– – – – – – – – – – –

r18 v GWS – Lozzemarine
r 19 v Gold Coast Welton Marsland
r20 v Hawthorn – Sarah Black
r21 v Caz Mallett
r22 v Marita
r23 v St Kilda – Lauren Clearihan

Benny Round 1 v Carlton, MCG

25/03/2017 By Chris 1 Comment

It seemed to take the longest time, but here we were at last. On the MCG in a proper jumper playing the filth for premiership points. Magnificent. And 150 games for a wonderful servant of the club and the community, Bachar Houli. Carlton are dead ordinary, but that was a better than par result for me. Great first half – then we lost momentum but regained it without going to pieces. We made the most of the last quarter junk time to just sneak the percentage up a bit. No injuries. And the newbies all played well. Terrific. Considering we lost our last match by 113 points, I think the club have every right to be happy with the first test of their off-season changes. More than a third of Thursday’s side weren’t out there in round 23 2016.

Carlton are dead ordinary, but that was a better than par result for me. Great first half – then we lost momentum but regained it without going to pieces. We made the most of the last quarter junk time to just sneak the percentage up a bit. No injuries. And the newbies all played well. Terrific. Considering we lost our last match by 113 points, I think the club have every right to be happy with the first test of their off-season changes. More than a third of Thursday’s side weren’t out there in round 23 2016.

The style was positive, fast and risk-taking. I loved it. We were whipping the handpasses around in the first half and hardly missed one; although under modest pressure. Brandon Ellis looks refreshed and ready to go. Taylor Hunt will never be faultless but he played his role and I won’t be howling if he holds his place. Conca made a solid return. Getting ‘OK’ games from those three is another small good sign of improvement. Cotchin kicked a goal from a set shot. Rioli sparkled and nailed a couple of goals. Caddy was pretty quiet but will be famous forever for finishing off the Dusty barrel. Nankervis was more than useful. We had 13 goalkickers!

5 Benny votes and 3 Brownlow votes go to Dusty, who was just awesome. Carlton weren’t to know he would be ON, otherwise they might have ganged up on him earlier. Collingwood are forewarned and he won’t have so much room to move next week. I loved his direct approach – only one don’t argue and it produced a goal. No whingeing here.

4 votes go to Shaun Grigg who is right up there in the AFL’s underrated footballers. 27 touches six tackles and a goal. He accumulates and rarely wastes it.

3 votes for George Castagna who was a livewire from the opening bell. He got ahead of himself attempting a Stevie J; he missed and our momentum ebbed away. He will learn from it – you don’t give anyone an even break, let alone the Blues.

2 votes for Dan Butler. Two goals of his own and a lot of score involvements. I was hugely impressed with his quick thinking and vision in possession. He might be the New Sheds. Sorry, Old Sheds.

1 vote for Dion Prestia, who had a great night in his new jumper. His gut running was super-impressive and earned him a goal late in the game.

The Benny Leaderboard:
As above!

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2017: Caddy, Grigg, Hampson, Houli, Hunt, Nankervis, Maric, Miles, Prestia and Townsend.)

Grigg: 4
Prestia: 1

Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2017: Shai Bolton, Dan Butler, Ryan Garthwaite, Jack Graham, Ivan Soldo, Tyson Stengle)

Butler : 2

Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot: for left footers
(Eligible 2017: Batchelor, Chol, Corey Ellis, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli).

Grigg: 4

Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
Potentially eligible 2017: Castagna, Chol, Moore, Stengle and Soldo.

Castagna: 3

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
The club’s top tackler, across AFL and VFL teams

Vlastuin: 12
Cotchin: 8
Riewoldt: 7
Grimes: 7

The Benny 2017

19/03/2017 By Chris 4 Comments

The Benny Awards return for their fifth season. Last years’ top three were Dusty, Cotch and Alex Rance. Casting votes was often a miserable experience. Comments included; this game should be ‘thrown into the dustbin of history’, never to see the light of day again and No-one played well and complete, embarrassing capitulation.

However – the sun always comes up in the morning. We have had the perfect off-season, and the mood across this yellow and black land is optimistic. I do feel like the optimism is attached to individuals rather than the team. Jack looks red hot, Rance is the best backman in town, Rioli is bigger, Caddy and Prestia are serious midfield tanks, Nankervis is a great pickup, Shai Bolton is silk. But consensus is still that we are a 12th – 15th side. We really need these units of the machine to click and the ideal time for that to happen would be on Thursday night, when we apply the blowtorch to Carlton and really give the Tiger army something to be excited about in 2017.

Voting will again be crowdsourced this year, so put up your hand if you’d like to volunteer for a specific game or for your general availability. I’m hogging Round 1 for myself.

We also welcome written non-Benny contributions such as these. And please continue to nominate worthy footballers, club staff and diehard fans for a badge on the Virtual Duffle Coat.

See you on the other side of Thursday!

Eligibility criteria for the Benny awards are as follows:

The Benny: free-for-all.

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club.
Eligible 2017: Caddy, Grigg, Hampson, Houli, Hunt, Nankervis, Maric, Miles, Prestia and Townsend.

Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: not just new draftees but anyone who is yet to debut before the start of this season.
Eligible 2017: Shai Bolton, Dan Butler, Ryan Garthwaite, Jack Graham, Ivan Soldo, Tyson Stengle,

Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot: for the leftys of the group, and not talking politically.
Eligible 2017: Batchelor, Chol, Corey Ellis, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli.

Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal: upgraded from the rookie list during the current season.
Eligible 2017: Castagna, Chol, Moore, Stengle and Soldo.

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy: This one is not voted; simply recognising the club’s top tackler, across AFL and VFL teams.

Tipping the 2017 season

17/03/2017 By Chris 4 Comments

Less than a week to go until we run out to play for premiership points. I have felt weirdly detached from AFL season 2017; due to a combination of AFLW and the Tiges fairly good recruiting. I am enjoying the positive buzz about the new players and not really ready to have it all blown to shreds by reality.

I am doing this ladder because I feel I should, rather than because I have any strong views. Like many I see Richmond improving position a little but not a lot. We were so dire in 2016 that we could improve 25% and still be waaaaay off the pace.

Hang onto your hats and dentures; I am tipping the Western Footscrays to go back to back (I refuse to be spooked by Leicester’s follow-up season). Ignore the Dogs’ premiership drought for a minute, and the feeling of freakishness about their finals campaign. Their coach is a genius, they won the VFL flag so depth does not appear to be a problem, their confidence to beat anybody on their day is going to be sky high. Doggie insanity to pervade September again.

Who are they going to disappoint on Grand Final day? West Coast. Yeah nah, trust me. A very good side who could well be minor premiers but are going to stutter on the big day. Wood to blanket Kennedy. This is actually the GF matchup I tipped last year, I realise now.

Dogs and Eagles get there by beating Swans and GWS. Same last four as 2016. I just can’t see another team forcing their way in. Last year’s 5 to 8 all look to me to be treading water at best.

This year I tip Hawthorn, St Kilda, Adelaide, Geelong to round out the finals.

Close but no cigar to Melbourne and Collingwood – they’ll be in the hunt until round 23. It will be over by round 20 for North, Essendon, Richmond, Gold Coast and Carlton. And it will be over by July for Port, Fremantle and Brisbane.

My tip in the popular “ladder” format;

Western Bulldogs
West Coast

Sydney
Greater Western Sydney

Hawthorn
St Kilda
Adelaide
Geelong

Melbourne
Collingwood
North Melbourne
Essendon
Richmond
Gold Coast
Carlton
Port Adelaide
Fremantle
Brisbane