Richmond VFL coach Tim Clarke provides an exclusive summary of how the AFL-listed players performed at VFL level in Saturday’s loss to Sandringham.
See all the stats from the game, download here.
Shaun Grigg
1 goal, 36 disposals (25 contested), 19 clearances|
Shaun had a very good game. He was the most dominant player on the ground and is really pushing for senior selection this week.
Matt Arnot
24 disposals (14 contested), 8 tackles
Played his best game in the last two or three weeks. Played mainly on ball and had plenty of contested possessions, which is what we wanted him to focus on. He continues to get better but needs to string together two or three games like that to push for senior selection.
Matt Dea
20 disposals, 4 rebound 50s
Played a very solid game. Was in and out a little bit, given the momentum of the game, but found the ball. Really controlled the back line well most of the day. His ball use and decision making shows that he’s an AFL-standard player.
Chris Knights
19 disposals, 7 inside 50s
Continues his return from injury. Got the ball forward a lot, which is a good return from a guy playing a midfield-forward role. We’ll look for him to play a couple more good games and hopefully earn a spot in the senior side by the end of the season.
Orren Stephenson
18 disposals, 8 marks, 34 hit outs
Played one of his best games of the year. His second quarter was the best quarter of footy I’ve seen him play. Took plenty of grabs and was by far the most dominant big man on the ground.
Matt McDonough
3 goals, 17 disposals, 7 marks
Started up forward and played through the midfield in patches. Marked the ball well and had four shots on goal. I think he could’ve ended up kicking five or six goals. He continues to improve as a forward and hopefully he can push for senior selection in the next couple of weeks.
Brett O’Hanlon
17 disposals
Played mostly on a wing. Solid game without getting the numbers we expect. He knows he needs to have more involvement, when he’s kicking the ball inside 50 we’re a better side. His focus this week is to get more numbers between the arcs so we can hit our forwards.
Ben Darrou
14 disposals, 4 rebound 50s
Didn’t have a direct match up so went through a few different opponents. Was very good in defence, and didn’t get beaten by his man. Lost a couple of critical contests late in the game but played another solid game for us.
Kamdyn McIntosh
14 disposals
Played his first game in 10 or 11 weeks after a pretty bad foot injury. Ended up with a bit of the ball and played a pretty solid defensive game on one of their dangerous forwards but has some improvement ahead to ensure he’s pushing for senior selection.
Aaron Edwards
3 goals, 13 disposals
Had a frustrating day with the ball bouncing the wrong way and missing out on a few free kicks. His work rate has been fantastic and I’m sure he’s got a big game coming his way. Still managed to hit the scoreboard but he’s been unlucky given his input.
Liam McBean
4 goals, 12 disposals (9 contested), 3 marks
Another solid game in terms of scoreboard involvement. Played in the ruck due to Shaun Hampson’s late injury, which was a new role for him. It helped him get more contested possessions up the ground but we still want him marking the ball. Took three but we want that number to be seven to ten.
Brad Helbig
11 disposals, 3 clearances
Played mostly midfield. Couldn’t really get going in terms of numbers but provided the team with plenty of hardness, which he’s renowned for. He needs to have a look at his stoppage work and contested footy to get his numbers up.
Todd Banfield
1 goal, 9 disposals, 6 tackles
Struggled for a bit of offensive involvement. We need him getting more involvement up the ground, getting the ball inside 50 and getting his tackles. We expect more from him.
Cadeyn Williams
1 goal, 9 disposals
Another who struggled for involvement up forward. Needs to keep working hard and hopefully a good game isn’t too far around the corner.
Todd Elton
5 disposals
Played most of the game on one of their key forwards and did a really good defensive job. Needs to hold marks when he goes for them but defensively he’s really improved and his competitiveness is really showing at the moment.