Richmond VFL development coach Max Bailey lauded the efforts of Jake Batchelor in last weekend’s VFL match, but said the Tigers have areas to address and improve ahead of their Anzac Day clash with Frankston.
Batchelor had 30 disposals in what was his best performance of the year, receiving praise for his attack on the ball and physical presence in defence.
“He was great. He played really hard football for an older guy in amongst a lot of younger guys,” Bailey told Roar Vision.
“He really stood up so it was great to see him play some hard football.”
Bailey was also impressed with strong performances of AFL-listed players including Matt McDonough, Ben Lennon, Anthony Miles and Liam McBean, but said the Tigers must work on winning more contested ball and maintaining possession after it hurt them on the weekend.
“We’ll focus on our ball security, holding the ball in when we’re getting tackled and in congestion, particularly around stoppages and then also our kicking inside 50. We’re turning the ball over a bit, which resulted in a lot of Williamstown scores.
“We were poor in the contested ball side of things so we need to address that this week and get better.”
Bailey said the Dolphins will be a good test for his side and believes that the Tigers’ tall forward line may prove to be the difference at Frankston Oval.
“They’re a pretty hard contested side. They play one-on-one footy so it’s a good focus for us, particularly with our ball security issues last week.”
“If we can rectify that, and then our ball movement… we’ve got some dangerous forwards and we have greater height than their defence so it’ll help.”
Frankston v Richmond
2pm, Friday, April 25
Frankston Oval, Frankston
