We all knew this was a danger game for Richmond. There was plenty of talk in the media and from the coach about not getting ahead of ourselves and taking Fremantle too lightly. Ross Lyon’s teams always play a very defensive style of football and would be trying to stop Richmond’s high scoring, free flowing style of play. The team knew all this and surely would adjust their game and come out hard.
Well, the weather was horrible and as the game started our players seem to struggle in the conditions more than the opposition. They held their marks while we fumbled. They went in hard while we held back. Pavlich seemed to be made for this weather. Strong, solid bodies prevailed. We seemed to be trying to play our high possession, precision style of play even though the wet conditions and slippery ball made this impossible. Fremantle came to play and from early on it seemed as though we were not quite as switched on as we had been in previous weeks.
Deledio was tagged heavily and had a quiet game and Foley’s absence was noticeable. Of all the players to be out I think Foley and King would particularly have suited the conditions. Edwards had another good game looking dangerous in the forward line. Cotchin and Tuck had plenty of the ball and played well but it wasn’t enough. In the second half the weather improved and we started to get more of the ball but we didn’t score when the ball went forward and time and time again we lost control in our forward fifty and saw the ball head down the other end for a score. We had our chances but things didn’t go our way. How horrible was it to see Ballantyne kick the goal that sealed the win for Fremantle?
People are disappointed. The coach and the team more than anyone, I am sure. Mum was sad that she didn’t see the wins but had to witness another loss. But it is just one game, we can still make the eight. We need to learn from this loss and make sure no more winnable games against teams below us are lost through lack of hardness or not adjusting quickly to different conditions. Let’s hope Jack and Axel are fit to play this week and that King returns full of hunger and determination. Let’s not let GWS have even a sniff of a win. We need a good, strong, percentage boosting win this week to get back on track as we head towards the run for a place in the eight. We deserve to play finals. Our best footy is really good, we just need to bring our best every week and for four quarters. I believe we can do it.
Go Tiges.
