RunningBounce
Premiership Player
- Jun 12, 2013
- 4,484
- 10,143
- AFL Club
- Richmond
Season so far
Richmond’s VFL squad have started their 2018 campaign in ripping form, winning all three of their practice matches before belting the reigning premiers, Port Melbourne. Seemed a bit unfortunate that we had to cool our red-hot jets for the bye in Round 2.
The Casey Demons are a bit of an unknown quantity for me. The last time I saw them was in 2016 when they were called the Scorpions and Lynden Dunn was playing fullback. Fair to say that a bit has changed since then. This season, they flogged Coburg in Round 1 by 107 points and got a solid 3 goal win against Werribee in Round 2. More at http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/vfl-team-review-round-two
Richmond AFL-listed players to watch:
Corey Ellis
CEllis seems to be a divisive character on BF, so I’m expecting this to start some discussion.
I’m gunna assume Corey was dropped from the seniors for not getting involved enough. He kicked a goal in the opening minute of Round 1 and then proceeded to accumulate 21 effective disposals (28 total), 9 tackles and was named the among the best. IMO, it was a good response.
His long, precise kicking is a feature but so is his physical work inside the contest.
CEllis’s contract is up at the end of this season, so I’d be looking for him to continue pressing his claims to get back into the seniors.
Tyson Stengle
I would have given Stengle BOG from Round 1. The level of his involvement was outstanding. He chased, tackled, harassed and continually brought his team mates into the game. 3 goals from 12 effective disposals (17 total) is a pretty handy return from a small forward.
If you haven’t seen him play and you live in Gippsland (where Casey Fields is located), get down and have a look at the kid they call Wombat. He is pretty quick and never goes to ground, so although he looks like his tank needs some work, he can get to repeat contests all day. His also not shy about physical contact.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Stengle elevated from the rookie list soon.
Ivan Soldo
Lil Ivvy was the best big man on the ground in Round 1. His improvement during his time at the club is quite astounding. His a big unit and uses his size well, knocking over the opposition mids with strong second efforts and creating space for our in-and-under brigade to clear congestion – just like his cousin. His tap work is strong and he seems to have developed a good working relationship with Miles. He also takes contested marks around the ground, even occasionally kicking goals.
I won’t say much more, because I suspect he won’t be playing 2nds. I reckon he’ll get a call-up to crash into Gawn on ANZAC Eve.
Noah (Mars) Bolta
I think it’s a bit of a shit nickname, but Richo seems determined to make it stick, bringing it up at every chance during the Talking Tigers podcast. Who am I to deny the Big Fella?
Bolta has our board excited and, IMO, rightly so. He moves incredibly for a guy his size. His quick and agile at 194cm and 94 kgs. He does not look like an 18 year old! His also got some skills, with a raking kick, clean hands and strength in the contest, both on the ground and in the air.
Played KPD in Round 1, but at times looked, more like a flanker, peeling off his opponent to carry the ball through the corridor and boot it deep into attack. I don’t think I saw him beaten (but then again, I also mistook #46 Ben Miller with CCJ #40, so take that with a grain of salt. $5 cans are distracting.)
Get down and have a look at this kid, so in the future you can say you were there. I don’t know what his best position is, but IMO, its just a matter of time and opportunities before Bolta plays seniors.
Melbourne AFL-listed players to watch:
With selection a few days off, this is mostly guess work. The Dees seniors were as hard as low-fat yoghurt last week, so there will be omissions. The players who get dropped, if they have a beating heart, will want to prove they are not the gutless squibs that are to blame for whatever you call that… They will be the players to watch! We won’t find out who they are until the weekend.
There will also be promotions for players who have been playing well in the VFL – no doubt Jayden Hunt will be picked, maybe Billy Stretch and Balic if they need more outside receivers
or Cam Pederson and / or Weidermann, if they’re looking for more marking targets in the seniors. (I suspect they’re trying a small forward line. It’s almost like a fad across the AFL or something…)
Tim Smith
Not an AFL-listed player, but Smith regular rips it up at VFL level. His a mid-sized KPF who is strong, mobile and skilful. Would love to see Bolta pick him up. Worth watching.
Mitch King
The developing, young ruck will almost certainly play VFL. The pick 42 from 2015 draft, King has had some injury interruptions, but is a fair way back in the queue with Gawn, Spencer and seemingly Pederson in front of him. He’ll want to make an impact this year.
With Richmond fielding Hampson and Chol at a minimum, it’ll be interesting to see whose mids get first use of the ball, especially when Spencer is resting. King could be important in deciding the result.
Where the game could be decided
Like most games, I expect this game to be decided at the coal-face.
The ruck battle will be important, but so will the inside mids. Miles, CEllis, Lloyd and the Higlet is a pretty deep pool, but the Demons will be highly motivated, with their AFL-listed players playing for pride and their VFL guys in winning form.
Expect a bit of fire in this one, just like the seniors.
Prediction:
Tigers to overcome a half-time deficit to win by four goals.
Richmond’s VFL squad have started their 2018 campaign in ripping form, winning all three of their practice matches before belting the reigning premiers, Port Melbourne. Seemed a bit unfortunate that we had to cool our red-hot jets for the bye in Round 2.
The Casey Demons are a bit of an unknown quantity for me. The last time I saw them was in 2016 when they were called the Scorpions and Lynden Dunn was playing fullback. Fair to say that a bit has changed since then. This season, they flogged Coburg in Round 1 by 107 points and got a solid 3 goal win against Werribee in Round 2. More at http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/vfl-team-review-round-two
Richmond AFL-listed players to watch:
Corey Ellis
CEllis seems to be a divisive character on BF, so I’m expecting this to start some discussion.
I’m gunna assume Corey was dropped from the seniors for not getting involved enough. He kicked a goal in the opening minute of Round 1 and then proceeded to accumulate 21 effective disposals (28 total), 9 tackles and was named the among the best. IMO, it was a good response.
His long, precise kicking is a feature but so is his physical work inside the contest.
CEllis’s contract is up at the end of this season, so I’d be looking for him to continue pressing his claims to get back into the seniors.
Tyson Stengle
I would have given Stengle BOG from Round 1. The level of his involvement was outstanding. He chased, tackled, harassed and continually brought his team mates into the game. 3 goals from 12 effective disposals (17 total) is a pretty handy return from a small forward.
If you haven’t seen him play and you live in Gippsland (where Casey Fields is located), get down and have a look at the kid they call Wombat. He is pretty quick and never goes to ground, so although he looks like his tank needs some work, he can get to repeat contests all day. His also not shy about physical contact.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Stengle elevated from the rookie list soon.
Ivan Soldo
Lil Ivvy was the best big man on the ground in Round 1. His improvement during his time at the club is quite astounding. His a big unit and uses his size well, knocking over the opposition mids with strong second efforts and creating space for our in-and-under brigade to clear congestion – just like his cousin. His tap work is strong and he seems to have developed a good working relationship with Miles. He also takes contested marks around the ground, even occasionally kicking goals.
I won’t say much more, because I suspect he won’t be playing 2nds. I reckon he’ll get a call-up to crash into Gawn on ANZAC Eve.
Noah (Mars) Bolta
I think it’s a bit of a shit nickname, but Richo seems determined to make it stick, bringing it up at every chance during the Talking Tigers podcast. Who am I to deny the Big Fella?
Bolta has our board excited and, IMO, rightly so. He moves incredibly for a guy his size. His quick and agile at 194cm and 94 kgs. He does not look like an 18 year old! His also got some skills, with a raking kick, clean hands and strength in the contest, both on the ground and in the air.
Played KPD in Round 1, but at times looked, more like a flanker, peeling off his opponent to carry the ball through the corridor and boot it deep into attack. I don’t think I saw him beaten (but then again, I also mistook #46 Ben Miller with CCJ #40, so take that with a grain of salt. $5 cans are distracting.)
Get down and have a look at this kid, so in the future you can say you were there. I don’t know what his best position is, but IMO, its just a matter of time and opportunities before Bolta plays seniors.
Melbourne AFL-listed players to watch:
With selection a few days off, this is mostly guess work. The Dees seniors were as hard as low-fat yoghurt last week, so there will be omissions. The players who get dropped, if they have a beating heart, will want to prove they are not the gutless squibs that are to blame for whatever you call that… They will be the players to watch! We won’t find out who they are until the weekend.
There will also be promotions for players who have been playing well in the VFL – no doubt Jayden Hunt will be picked, maybe Billy Stretch and Balic if they need more outside receivers
or Cam Pederson and / or Weidermann, if they’re looking for more marking targets in the seniors. (I suspect they’re trying a small forward line. It’s almost like a fad across the AFL or something…)Tim Smith
Not an AFL-listed player, but Smith regular rips it up at VFL level. His a mid-sized KPF who is strong, mobile and skilful. Would love to see Bolta pick him up. Worth watching.
Mitch King
The developing, young ruck will almost certainly play VFL. The pick 42 from 2015 draft, King has had some injury interruptions, but is a fair way back in the queue with Gawn, Spencer and seemingly Pederson in front of him. He’ll want to make an impact this year.
With Richmond fielding Hampson and Chol at a minimum, it’ll be interesting to see whose mids get first use of the ball, especially when Spencer is resting. King could be important in deciding the result.
Where the game could be decided
Like most games, I expect this game to be decided at the coal-face.
The ruck battle will be important, but so will the inside mids. Miles, CEllis, Lloyd and the Higlet is a pretty deep pool, but the Demons will be highly motivated, with their AFL-listed players playing for pride and their VFL guys in winning form.
Expect a bit of fire in this one, just like the seniors.
Prediction:
Tigers to overcome a half-time deficit to win by four goals.
