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AFLW r3 v North Melbourne at Princes Park

04/03/2020 By Lauren Cameron Leave a Comment

It seems these days, when you’re wanting a quick recipe online, you must first read the life story, and the extensive history of the author’s journey to the perfect basil pesto.

These recollections can give the reader insight into the personal life of a recipe blogger, tell tales of kitchen tricks passed down from generations, or just give a super detailed recount of a trip to a grocery store in a neighbouring suburb.

As you read through long-winded paragraphs, wondering if you will ever actually reach the ingredients section, pausing to reflect on why someone would name their child Tinsinatti, questioning if you even really need pesto anyway you may find yourself at your wit’s end.

Maybe it’s not such a big deal if the pasta and prawns are a bit dry?

I guess what I’m saying, is that right now, Richmond’s AFLW journey is shrouded in the mist of a long, complex story. It’s definitely more interesting than a trip to the supermarket, or the search for the perfect leaf of basil, but it’s a story that’s going to be tough at times.

We’re at the very beginning, and we have a bit to work through before we can feast.

Yes, I’m saying the Tigers’ rd 3 clash against the Kangaroos showed us that Richmond’s AFLW is a bit like a pesto prawn pasta without the pesto; there are some good elements to the dish, but it hasn’t quite come together. Yet.

Early in the first quarter, Daisy Pearce and Ellie Blackburn spoke in commentary about the way the Kangaroos set up around the ball at stoppages, and how this highlighted Richmond’s lack of structure in this area. This was one of several areas where North’s experience was obvious, as the Richmond players appeared desperate and at times frantic, in comparison to the calm and composed play of the Kangaroos.

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Overall, I was pretty happy with the Tigers performance in the first quarter. It was scrappy, but players such as Grace Campbell and Mon Conti showed determination and pluck throughout. The only disappointment was kicking just 3 behinds for the quarter, and not making the best of our opportunities against the super-efficient North Melbourne.

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The second quarter was a powerful display by the Roos, and really showed the gap between an AFLW team in their second season vs their first. North’s recruiting last year was widely lauded and for good reason, and this quarter was an illustration of why many (myself included) have them as favourites for the flag.

Thankfully the third quarter brought some joy, as Sabrina Frederick kicked our first for the game, a ripper of a goal as she took it from the ruck and kicked it backwards over her head. I absolutely loved her goal celebration, as she gave a massive roar and excitedly embraced her teammates. Some have criticised this celebration as ‘too much’ when your team is down by 40-odd points, but in a challenging first season, I think it’s very Richmondy to be celebrating the little victories. I think Sabrina is a great leader for our forwards, and I hope she continues to roar after every goal!

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Captain Katie followed with a goal of her own, and while she didn’t roar as such, it clearly meant a lot to her, especially as she has been facing criticism of late.

In the 4th quarter I was reminded that I really, really like Mon Conti.

Other Bits and Pieces

  • Having experienced players such as Daisy Pearce and Ellie Blackburn in commentary is fantastic, as they give great insight and perspective into AFLW. Both Pearce and Blackburn talked about the challenge of having such a short season, and how building consistency is difficult for every team, not just the new teams (Ellie was particularly nice given how many ex-Bulldogs we have on our list…sorry Ellie!) and the importance of using each game as an opportunity to learn.
  • “There are promising signs for the Tigers, they obviously haven’t been able to really impact on today’s game, but…you wanna be able to take little bits and pieces out of it…” – Ellie Blackburn. This quote reminds me of something Trent Cotchin (you may know of him) has said a bunch of times, “You win, and/or you learn.”
  • The growing chemistry between Mon Conti and draftee Sophie Molan is really exciting. I can see these two becoming a dangerous duo.
  • I felt that overall our field kicking was better in this game, which is a good sign. I would like to see more communication when players are hot, but like the field kicking, this will probably come with experience.

I thought about calling this section Ingredients but I don’t think we’re quite there, we’re still in the preamble.

I’ve waited my whole life to see women in Richmond jumpers, playing footy. At the moment, our team is learning, and the lessons are at times pretty harsh! But I’m so happy to see the story being told.

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In any weather.

The Maureen for best player
5 Monique Conti
4 Grace Campbell
3 Phoebe Monahan
2 Katie Brennan
1 Sabrina Frederick

Leaderboard
13 Monahan
8 Conti, Campbell
5 Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot
2 Wakefield, Brennan, Frederick
1 Stahl

The Kate Sheahan Shield for players recruited with AFLW experience [eligible: Burchall, Bailey, Tesoreiro, Frederick, Bernardi, Conti, Whitford, Ross, Makur Chuot]
13 Monahan
8 Conti
5 Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot
2 Brennan, Frederick

The Peggy O’Neal Claret Jug for best AFLW first year player [eligible: everyone else not in above list]
8 Campbell
2 Wakefield
1 Stahl

The Kate Dixon Grip of Death for our top tackler
19 – Conti, Jacques, Sansonetti
18 – Campbell
17 – Woodward
16 – Brennan
12 – Wakefield

Lauren Cameron 04/03/2020Filed Under: front, maureen, Uncategorized

Round 17 v GWS at the Sydney Showgrounds

23/07/2018 By Lauren Cameron Leave a Comment

Winning makes me nervous. This is of course, a new discovery, given that Richmond hasn’t really been a Winning Team before in my lifetime. The nerves have always been there, though prior to this season that were linked with the fear of what would come after the final siren. What calamity would befall us?

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Winning makes me nervous.

This is of course, a new discovery, given that Richmond hasn’t really been a Winning Team before in my lifetime. The nerves have always been there, though prior to this season that were linked with the fear of what would come after the final siren. What calamity would befall us? Which team would scorch us with a six-goal run, or come from behind in the dying stages to deal that final blow? What would that one Hawthorn fan say on Monday morning? (or on facebook straight after the game)

The thought of this game was making me nervous, and that may have influenced my go-to statement on Saturday morning at the shop.
“I don’t really want to finish on top of the ladder, it’s a bit of a curse. I won’t be too upset if we drop this one.”

Spoiler alert, I was quite upset.

 

Q1
For the first few minutes it’s the Toby Greene Show, despite the fact he starts on the bench. Apparently he will ‘take some time to find his feet’ when he does come on, and that’s fine as long as he doesn’t find his foot in the face of one of our players.

When he does come on, the crowd roars, which is not something I thought I’d say about a GWS crowd. They can also be heard as the Giants kick the first two goals, apparently, we’ll be taking some time to find our feet too.

I am struck by Shane Edwards’ beard. It is a very good beard.

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Our first goal is a Rioli goal, following great pressure from George (Oh, George) and Snags. Soon after, Cotch misses a shot that Luke Darcy tells us he’d normally kick, and I love my captain but nah, not really.
Q1 is patchy, and while we start getting more of the ball, we’re struggling to do much with it. Rioli goals again and you feel it might be ok.

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Q2
I begin face-timing with my 2yo niece, and intend to come back and rewatch the quarter, and by the end of the match I want to forget this game exists, so I never get back there, and the rest of this couch report is cliffnotes.

Also, 17 tackles to half time is rubbish, and we are clearly missing the tackling pressure of Graham and Conca.

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Q3
Both teams struggle with inaccuracy in front of goal, and the only highlight of this term is that Astbury plays well in his 100th game. I’ve been very emotional about Swoop’s 100th, particularly seeing Lids post a congratulatory Instagram story. It can never be said enough how determined, brave and dedicated Dave Astbury has been throughout his time at Richmond. He has worked so hard to build his game to this high standard, and has become a true leader of our team, while facing cruel injury setbacks and the wrath of a stingray. DAAS forever.

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Q4
I am optimistic about the 4th quarter, believing a strong start and better ball use would put us in good stead. Another goal to Daniel and things look promising, but it’s never quite our night, and things just don’t go our way.

Young players have chances, and our leaders go their hardest, but it’s just not meant to be. Poor George has a rough night in front of goal, kicking 5 behinds. I have no doubt that the boys will get around him, focusing on all the things he does to get those scoring opportunities, because that’s the Richmond way, and that he’ll have a blinder soon. For now I hope someone gives him a hug and some ice-cream.

The nerves return in the dying stages, as it looks as though we might flip the script on 2017 – sneaking in for a victory at the very last moment, but the siren sounds and there is no miracle, just that strange sound from the west of the town.

The rational part of me thinks that this could be good, the loss we needed to have to keep us grounded. The emotional part of me watches Toby Greene do a post-match interview with a water bottle stuffed down the front his pants and wants to throw something at the television.

I’d like to go back to winning now, nerves and all.

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Votes
Votes are hard and our team is very even.
5. Prestia – Love his work, love how he uses the low centre of gravity to his advantage.
4. Rioli – We are so lucky to have him. He is a delight to watch.
3. Grimes – Does what needs to be done.
2. Dusty – Getting back his dominance.
1. Lambert – Great player, so, so glad to have him.


Leaderboard

33: Cotchin
22: Martin
21: Grimes
16: Astbury, Lambert
15: Short
14: Riewoldt
13: Caddy
12: Edwards
11: Rance, Vlastuin
10: Nankervis
7: Conca
5: Prestia
4: Rioli
4: Higgins
3: Graham, Lloyd, Houli
1: Townsend, McIntosh, Castagna


Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2018: Caddy, Grigg, Hampson, Houli, Nankervis, Miles, Prestia and Townsend.)
13: Caddy
10: Nankervis
5: Prestia
3: Houli
1: Townsend

Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2018: Liam Baker, Noah Balta, Callum Coleman-Jones, Ryan Garthwaite, Jack Higgins, Ben Miller, Patrick Naish)
4: Higgins

Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot:for left footers
(Eligible 2018: Chol, Corey Ellis, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli).
10: Nankervis
3: Houli


Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
Potentially eligible 2018: Baker, Chol, Eggmolesse-Smith, Moore, Stengle
No votes yet.


Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
For the Tiges top tackler
To be updated asap!

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Lauren Cameron 23/07/2018Filed Under: benny, front

Round 4 v Brisbane, MCG – The Benny 2018

01/05/2018 By Lauren Cameron Leave a Comment

A small pre-cursor.
I was invited to the wedding ceremony of my best friend from primary school, just a few days before this match.
I was behaving myself in the gorgeous church, my phone buried deep in my pockets.

I won’t look.

Two blokes in front look at a phone and giggle, but I don’t look.

My fitbit vibrates, excited to share with me its new feature – displaying my texts.

So far so good?

I smile.

Towards the end of the ceremony I catch a glimpse of the phone held by the guy in front, the score reads 58 – 4.

So I watch the replay.

Home coming hero Michael ‘Butch’ Gale nails the set shot before the first bounce.

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Q1

A strange start – Charlie Cameron kicks a goal, the umpire calls it a goal, the review says it’s not a goal. From my couch it sure looked a goal.

Then we get a free and Dusty kicks a point, gets called back to his mark and kicks a goal.

We may be in a universe in which this game both does and does not exist.

Eric Hipwood is high up the ground, still looking like a young Rafa Nadal. I think his hairline is just as doomed as poor Rafa’s too.
This is a missed opportunity for us to be playing baby Nick Kyrgios (Shai Bolton)

Oh look it’s Premiership hero Jack Graham with a nice shepherd, collect and inside 50.

JACK. (we have multiple Jacks now, but there is only one ALL-CAPS JACK)
A Huge pack mark in the goal square and HE goals. Some pretty poor defending by the lion cubs there, and that’s going to become a running theme.

Heh. Cotch in the ruck.

Caddy marks and goals, and gets a clearance at the next bounce, because stuff going to the bench for a rest. This year FoxFooty has little player poses after certain players kick a goal, and in his, Caddy appears to be applauding himself.

Zorko gets penalised for picking up the ball as Ellis lays a messy tackle. Mmm. Questionable free kicks. Delicious.
Ellis works hard to get forward and ends up on the end of it, but the kick isn’t his best.
No double cobra for that one, and we are all poorer for it 😔

Dwayne Russell inexplicably calls George Castagna ‘Cutler’ and despite (or perhaps in spite of?) this disrespect, George slots it on the quarter time siren.


Q2

Oh hey it’s the 2nd quarter and we open it with forward line pressure and a goal to George.

I don’t remember what the Brisbane forward line looks like.

Jack with another set shot and another miss, and even though this is delayed, I swear I can hear my Nan groan affectionately.

Oh hey Brisbane forward line. Hi and goodbye Josh Walker’s hairline.

We are seven minutes into the 2nd quarter and the score is 42 to 3. This is not a great day for the Lions’ pride.

Heh. See what I did there?

Towner and Nick Robertson are wrestling and I agree with the commentators, I would pay to see that.

We are dominant, and it’s looking a bit like a training run, Towner goals after Dusty flexes some muscle.

Nick Dal Santo full of praise for Rafa Hipwood, who is working very hard trying to help out the back line, then getting forward when they actually get the ball.

Ellis, possibly discouraged by his previous set shot, plays on from a mark and gets all in a tangle. Castagna moves give support but misses. We are 1000 points up and yet I’m almost annoyed we’re not winning by more?

Nick Robertson is the Lions best player so far. Funny what happens when you focus a bit more on the ball and less on kneeing Cotch and Dusty in the backside 🤔

Oooh, Bachar has a run and bounce, and George gets a very, very kind free kick. A Brisbane player spoils. Defending!

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Halftime

Nick Dal Santo is interviewing Jack who is halfway through a banana and just wants to sit down. He’s still sharp and funny, because he’s a good lad. 
Our players have been a bit more visible, are we giving the media a bit more access?

Kane Lambert has no shortage of options. Photo by Jason Dowling.

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Q3



At this point I was driving home from the wedding and flicking between 3aw and MMM. MMM would spend the next 20 mins trying to find out the last (only?) time a team was goalless at 3/4 time and mocking their stats guy when he couldn’t find it immediately. Champagne radio.



A few minutes into the 3rd and George has another goal, and a few uninspiring minutes later Dusty has his fourth. If someone takes a chest mark at the back of a pack, you’re having a bad day. 

But truly, the third quarter belongs to DYLAN GRIMES.

This is a fumbling training run of a quarter, and the highlight is definitely our defensive efforts.
3/4 time is closing in, and suddenly it becomes imperative that we deny Brisbane a goal. We’re mad, all of a sudden, and it’s as though a Lion’s goal would undo everything we’ve worked for. Enter Grimey, in all his glory.

Desperation, say the commentators, as Grimes leaps for the spoil in the goal-square , bounces up from the ground and lays a brilliant tackle on the other Martin, who was absolutely just centimetres from getting a goal.

But the tiger faithful know this man, they’ve been heart in mouth for years as he defies belief time and time again with his ruthless attack on the football.

Desperation is all Dylan Grimes has ever known.

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Q4

All you need to know about the 4th quarter is that Dusty kicks goals five and six for the day, the poor lion cubs are witches’ hats and we win by 93 points. It is a comprehensive victory, with Brisbane only allowed to kick two goals. We are so lucky to see this group of defenders do their thing each week.

Smashings are weird.

It all reminds me a bit of losing to Geelong by 157 points.

It’s nice to be on the other side.

In any weather.

Dusty piles on the pain for the hapless Lions. Photo by Jason Dowling.

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VOTES
5 Trent Cotchin. Our fearless leader is killing it at the moment.
4 Dustin Martin. Jet.
3 Kane Lambert. Putting it all back together after a slowish start.
2 Dave Astbury. Just so happy to see him out there, doing the work and doing it well. #DAAS
1 Jason Castagna. I googled him the other week, but typed George Castagna. True story.

Leaderboard

17: Cotchin
14: Martin
7: Astbury
5: Lambert
4: Caddy, Conca, Short, Higgins
3: Graham, Edwards, Rance, Lloyd
1: Townsend, Nankervis, McIntosh, Castagna

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2018: Caddy, Grigg, Hampson, Houli, Nankervis, Miles, Prestia and Townsend.)
4: Caddy
1: Townsend, Nankervis

Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2018: Liam Baker, Noah Balta, Callum Coleman-Jones, Ryan Garthwaite, Jack Higgins, Ben Miller, Patrick Naish)
4: Higgins

Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot:for left footers
(Eligible 2018: Chol, Corey Ellis, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli).
1: Nankervis


Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
Potentially eligible 2018: Baker, Chol, Eggmolesse-Smith, Moore, Stengle
No votes yet.


Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
For the Tiges top tackler
30: Cotchin
28: Conca
25: Graham
19: Nankervis, Castagna, Lambert

Lauren Cameron 01/05/2018Filed Under: benny, front, guest

On Tigers, Cats, Hawks and Expectation.

08/09/2017 By Lauren Cameron 2 Comments

A funny thing happened on the way to September 2017.

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A little background first, if I may indulge. I’m a fourth-generation tiger, going back to my great-grandparents and their home on Richmond Terrace, just across the road from Punt Road Oval and the MCG. I go to the footy most weeks with Dad, my 80 y.o Nan, my great-uncle and cousins, as I always have.

I am also the daughter of a loud and proud card-carrying Hawk, who waves a flogger in the cheersquad and has missed only one Hawthorn Grand Final in her lifetime: 1989, where she stayed home with her 5-month-old daughter (me) and has never let me forget it.

loz_marine_fam

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I’ve watched from the sidelines as my Mum and younger sister have revelled in Hawthorn’s success over the last 9 years, I’ve even gone as far as driving Mum to the G on Grand Final day, a strange, empty feeling it has to be said. I’ve been invited along too, after the third flag I think, but I declined politely. I can’t go without the Tigers there, it wouldn’t feel right. Mum has always been kind about Richmond, she watches when we’re at games, until it gets too close, she cheers for us and gets frustrated along with us, but at times I’ve marvelled at how she doesn’t quite get it.

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“We’ve had lean patches too,” she’d say, and I’d roll my eyes. It’s not the same pain.

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“Come on! We need the percentage!” she’ll shout, and I wonder what that’s like, to feel so comfortable winning, that you can be thinking about percentages and ladder positions.

Like Sam Mitchell’s kids, not quite understanding that Daddy doesn’t just go up and get a medal every year, that going on the ground with the streamers isn’t just a regular part of a footballer’s year.

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So, it came to our clash against the Hawks a few weeks ago, full of run and tackles and forward pressure, and another strange feeling came over me. I felt like we would win.

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I can honestly say, that even when we seemed to be a bit of a bogey team for Hawthorn, I had never expected us to win. Obviously 2017 wasn’t a great season for Hawthorn, but this felt significant, this year feels significant.

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2017 has been so vastly different to last year. In 2016 we languished, put in poor performances and suffered some shocking defeats. Our leadership, on and off, was questioned relentlessly (and at times, unfairly)

Our football is better, our attitude seems better. The players speak with more confidence, about family and friendship, and breaking down barriers between teammates.

So much seems to have changed.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Now I confess, I wrote this next part a few weeks ago, in the lead-up to the Geelong game in Geelong. I was nervous, enough that I could barely sleep, and I began thinking about expectations. Richmond and expectations, Geelong and Hawthorn and expectations. I didn’t want to jinx anything, so I didn’t post it.

I’m not ready to expect a victory against Geelong. I was in year 11 last time we beat them, year 12 when we were destroyed by 157 points. My best friend, raised in a non-traditional (non-football) family was genuinely excited for ‘the other team’ she’s now engaged to a passionate Geelong fan. I still think I can swing her, she does still have a Brandon Ellis badge.

 Geelong has for so long felt out of our reach. Even though we beat Hawthorn in premiership years, there has always been something about the slickness of the cats.

 I’m trying to keep my head. I don’t want to talk about finals or ladder positions, though I’ve run optimistically through the predictor multiple times. I don’t want to hear about sure things or certainties, because in my time as a Tiger, there has never been such a thing. I don’t want to think about Dusty’s contract (He’ll stay, he’s grown up with this club, and he couldn’t disappoint Harper Cotchin) because the more people talk, the more I begin to waver in my conviction.

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“Were you stressed when we came back a bit in the last?” Mum asked, on the way home from the ground.

“Of course,” I replied, “We go for Richmond. Stressed is our default setting.”

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Expectations haven’t been our friend. There’s no denying this, in the past, we have stumbled.

Our Centenary game, the elimination finals, Tom Hafey’s tribute match, most of 2016.

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But I say in the past because there’s that strange feeling again, the feeling that things might be changing. We have truly exceeded expectations already this year, and who’s to say where that will end.

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Now it’s 3 weeks later and I’m ready to beat Geelong. I’m not calling it expectation, let’s call it confidence. I feel confident in our game-plan, in our pressure, in our attitude. I feel confident that on the MCG we can play some damn good football. We can do this.

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I went to Catland, with my best friend (in a Cats Ugly Jumper, shame) her fiancé and his Dad. Sidenote, fiancé’s Dad heckled Jack in the warmup as Jack took a shot from the pocket. Jack slotted it, grinned and gave Old Mate a thumbs-up. Best part of the day.

I left feeling ok. As I tweeted:

 

Tigers ’17 so far:

– 5 more wins than ’16

– In the 8 all year

– 2x 10+ goal losses (1 to top team) vs 5x last yr

 #Improving #Breathe #GoTiges

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We have come so far. This time last year we’d been smashed by the Swans and played a terrible, demoralising last round against the Saints. This year we finished the season by winning 2 games we should have won, one of them by 104 points! We played with swagger against Freo. Honest-to-goodness swagger.

Expectations might be high, but we’ve so far exceeded them.

I was wrong a few weeks ago. Not about Dusty, thankfully. There is a certainty at Tigerland, The Tiger Army will be there, in any weather.

2017 has been a strange season, a season of growth and learning according to Mum, who has handled Hawthorn’s journey this year quite well considering. Close finishes, moments of great joy and agony in defeat, Jarryd Roughead (because really, he is the story of 2017) and farewells to retiring greats – the players I’ve grown up watching, really. What’s one more strange happenstance?

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Why not Richmond, rising to further exceed expectations?

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In any weather.

Lauren Cameron 08/09/2017Filed Under: fan, front

Benny Round 18 v GWS at the MCG

26/07/2017 By Lauren Cameron 9 Comments

Writing this recap was not the only privilege I had bestowed upon me on Sunday, as we (Dad, Nan and I) were invited into Richmond’s Inner Sanctum. It’s a once a year sojourn where Richmond attempts to woo us, giving us a taste of the next level of membership, a dalliance with the upper echelon, in the hope that we’ll upgrade. It’s somewhat flattering. Sunday morning involved a pre-match briefing with Tim Livingstone and Andrew McQualter, walking on the hallowed turf itself
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Votes and notes by Lauren Cameron (@lozzemarine)

Writing this recap was not the only privilege I had bestowed upon me on Sunday, as we (Dad, Nan and I) were invited into Richmond’s Inner Sanctum. It’s a once a year sojourn where Richmond attempts to woo us, giving us a taste of the next level of membership, a dalliance with the upper echelon, in the hope that we’ll upgrade. It’s somewhat flattering.

Sunday morning involved a pre-match briefing with Tim Livingstone and Andrew McQualter, walking on the hallowed turf itself (or at least the astro-turf beside the hallowed turf), a wave from Cotch as he completed a solo warm-up and free fan-tales in a tiny National Storage box.

I was nervous about this game, as we always seem to be when terms such as ‘season-defining’ are bandied around. Sometimes it feels as though importance looms over Richmond like a dark cloud. But I’ll get back to the clouds.

Q1

Clearances?!

I chose to frantically write notes in a small notebook, because I tend to get very caught up in the excitement, and I thought I would forget everything. In the first quarter my notes were mostly: Clearances??!!?!

Not an ideal start by any means, inside 50s 7 to 19. But this quarter didn’t feel as bad as some of our other poor quarters this year. There were little things to take pride in, such as Kamdyn’s desperation, throwing himself at the ball and at Giants willy-nilly. Broady bouncing back up after being kicked in the ribs, moving onto the next contest with barely a wince. Strong marking efforts from Astbury and Vlastuin and tackling pressure from Rioli.

On Astbury (DAAS always), the forearm to the throat of Mathieson last week, followed by the collaring and stern words on Toby Greene this week were almost as impressive as his improved marking. Almost.

Final note for the quarter: I hate Toby Greene.

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Q2

The little things.

In our briefing with the coaches, a fan posed a question about Rioli’s output over the last few weeks. The response was that while Dan hasn’t had as much direct scoreboard impact in the second half of the season, his GPS stats had not declined at all, indicating that he is still moving, running and creating.

I don’t like to talk about Cyril when talking about Dan. I don’t think comparisons are fair or necessary, but I did have a little think about Cyril today. In the second quarter Dan Rioli was everywhere, and his possession count and goal tally won’t tell you that. His pressure, his tackling and his presence in marking contests were really important. The little things count.

At the top of the page I’ve written rain and circled it. It was only a drizzle, but it was a start.

We came out more attacking, our pressure lifted, our kicking became more direct. Lambert goaled after being denied a holding the ball call (so maybe he was in Mzungus’ back a little) and the crowd began to lift.

Dusty and Cotch too had lifted, our captain beginning to put his stamp on things with 6 tackles, and a crazy mid-air grab of a ball he had no right to get his hands on. Our Bull bringing the pressure, the breaking of tackles and a goal.

VLAS. Capital letters at the bottom of the page, as Nick puts his body on the line again and again, taking marks and stopping everything that comes near.

I50s 25 a piece.

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Q3

Thank goodness for dark clouds.

Desperation and a lift in physicality, our pressure returning to the high standards of earlier this year.

Wet weather has become something of a gift, it rewards brute strength, hard work and quick thinking.

Small moments again – Nankervis bulldozing towards goal, every tap, slap and soccer-kick, Floss marking again and again.

We looked stronger, worked harder, thought quicker.
(That should probably be ‘more quickly’, but it ruins my motif)

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Q4

So tense. Can’t take notes. I love Jack.

lozzemarine_notes

Notes for the last quarter were brief

Jack was well-held by Davis in the first half, and was pretty well-matched in the air. There is something about Jack and the rain, probably born from soggy Tasmanian mornings. He has always been an incredibly smart player, and when it rains he truly gets to showcase his genius. The swift taps, knock-ons and pokey soccer kicks to advantage – he gives everything he has, heart and soul and sweat and tears. I just love him.

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Random Notes:

Toby Nankervis is a very physical player. I may have described him as an animal at some point.

Soldo, on hands and knees, handballed to Prestia through a Giant’s legs. I just thought it was cool.

Short’s kick i50 to Riewoldt was a thing of beauty.

Nathan Broad is a tough cookie, I’m really liking him.

Upon rewatch, in the commentary: “Alex Rance, who will swallow anything that comes near him.” Thanks Huddo.

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Votes Votes Votes

5 Dusty – That sharp in-take of breath that echoes around the MCG as he gets near the ball is exquisite. I got an absurd amount of joy from Tom Scully missing a shot on goal, and Dusty kicking one immediately after.

4 Cotch – Just keeps rolling along, doing Cotchy things. Stood up in the second quarter when we really needed a Firestarter. Gets down and dirty, tackles like a maniac, shows crazy cat-like reflexes and never gets a hair out of place.

3 Vlastuin – the great wall of Ranga. Marked everything, crashed packs and was seriously impenetrable. Has an excellent beard.

2 Jack – Worked tirelessly to get himself into the game, and impacted heavily where he could. His work at contests to get the ball to ground was noticeable, and his wet weather footy is impressive, and just plain fun to watch!

1 Kam Mcintosh – In the first quarter we looked sleepy/absent. Kam was noticeable because of his early efforts, his run at stages, and his work on Tom Scully. Loves the wet almost as much as Jack.

Special mentions to Brando for his run and carry, and Georgie who despite having some issues with goals in the last few weeks, laid 9 tackles, showing great desire to have an impact.

Votes are hard you guys. Ah well.

In any weather.

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Leaderboard

40: Martin
36: Cotchin
31: Grigg
29: Rance
17: Riewoldt
16: Houli, Astbury
13: B. Ellis
10: Riewoldt, Lambert
6: Grimes, Nankervis
5: Castagna, Butler, Vlastuin
4: Rioli
2: Prestia, Caddy, Menadue
1: Bolton, Stengle, McIntosh

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)
5: 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

100: Cotchin
82: Lambert
67: Martin
62: Nankervis
58: Caddy
56: Grigg

Lauren Cameron 26/07/2017Filed Under: benny, front

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