TonyK
CibbuanoTigers still a chance to play finals, says Wallace
May 3rd 2009 11:31
RICHMOND is still a chance to play finals in 2009 despite suffering their fifth loss of the season at the hands of Sydney at the SCG on Sunday afternoon, according to coach Terry Wallace.
The 19-point loss to the Swans saw the Tigers slump to 15th place on the AFL ladder.
But with classy forward Nathan Brown, Ben Cousins and impressive youngster Trent Cotchin to return in the coming weeks, Wallace remains confident that his side is still a chance to feature in September action.
"The target is to win every game and take on every opportunity that we can and we're still looking to play finals footy," Wallace said.
“If we can get a few of those (players) back and if you can get on a roll and win, say, five games in a row, you make up ground quickly. That’s still our aim and ambition.”
Wallace praised his side's efforts against the Swans but said the Tigers paid the price for a sluggish start.
"I thought the game was won in the first quarter," he said.
"We knew what to expect (of the Swans) ... but the reality of it is knowing what to expect and dealing with it is two separate things."
"I just thought that they're (Sydney's) attack on the ball and their attitude and their approach early in the game was the thing that certainly got them over the line."
Wallace also defended his decsion to play veteran Matthew Richardson who spent most of the second-quarter receiving treatment in the rooms before having little impact in the second half.
"He went through a session on Friday back at home which was a 40-minute session and he got better as that session went on so we had no thoughts of (resting him)," he said.
"People keep sort of mentioning about a hamstring injury (he was carrying) last week, he had a glute so it was just high up in the buttock which was sore."
"He had no signs of that in the lead up to the game but he's had problems with a hamstring tendon over the last 12 months and in the first couple of minutes it was that hamstring tendon again that sort of seized up on him."
The 19-point loss to the Swans saw the Tigers slump to 15th place on the AFL ladder.
But with classy forward Nathan Brown, Ben Cousins and impressive youngster Trent Cotchin to return in the coming weeks, Wallace remains confident that his side is still a chance to feature in September action.
"The target is to win every game and take on every opportunity that we can and we're still looking to play finals footy," Wallace said.
“If we can get a few of those (players) back and if you can get on a roll and win, say, five games in a row, you make up ground quickly. That’s still our aim and ambition.”
Wallace praised his side's efforts against the Swans but said the Tigers paid the price for a sluggish start.
"I thought the game was won in the first quarter," he said.
"We knew what to expect (of the Swans) ... but the reality of it is knowing what to expect and dealing with it is two separate things."
"I just thought that they're (Sydney's) attack on the ball and their attitude and their approach early in the game was the thing that certainly got them over the line."
Wallace also defended his decsion to play veteran Matthew Richardson who spent most of the second-quarter receiving treatment in the rooms before having little impact in the second half.
"He went through a session on Friday back at home which was a 40-minute session and he got better as that session went on so we had no thoughts of (resting him)," he said.
"People keep sort of mentioning about a hamstring injury (he was carrying) last week, he had a glute so it was just high up in the buttock which was sore."
"He had no signs of that in the lead up to the game but he's had problems with a hamstring tendon over the last 12 months and in the first couple of minutes it was that hamstring tendon again that sort of seized up on him."
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