Moderators: Saintsational Administrators, Saintsational Moderators
Somewhere between the two.
Be surprised. "King of the kids" is not a style of leadership.Saintmatt wrote: ↑Tue 21 Jan 2020 10:43am Interestingly, no one seems to have mentioned 'leadership' as a reason we may or may not improve enough to play finals.
Without raking over coals, if anyone is not genuinely enthused (apart from the 1 or 2 rusted on Cho supporters) about Ratten's appointment and influence he's had thus far, then I'd be very surprised. Ratts clearly has an excellent connection with the players (remember that connection - and mindfulness - is the main attribute that Richmond has focused the most on for 3 years). Finally, I feel like we have some credibility in the box and someone leading game day who'd been successful doing it before. Ratt's is also the one who's emphatically driven 'skill acquisition' as a major focus over Summer. About time.
Howard. Whilst the focus seems to have bizarrely been on being lapped in a pre-Xmas time trial (who really cares?) - remember that Howard was regarded so highly by Port that he was appointed Captain in his 37th game last year. For a 23 yo - that's terrific and that why Port fans are apoplectic about losing him. You cannot buy that type of quality (or draft it in our case). The more leaders you have on-ground; the better.
Ross. I'm not Seb's biggest fan but, it's undeniable that he stepped up as Captain in Geary's absence last year. He definitely played some of his better games for the club whilst also doing that role. In a pure football sense, I'd love to see Seb become our weakest midfielder ASAP (as that means we'll have significantly upped our skill and ball movement) but, I can't think he'll not be better again this year with the experience of being the Captain in 2019. I'd love him to become more demonstrative and 'jump on my back and I'll lead you to the promised land' a la Paddy Cripps but, maybe that's not his style.
As in Ratten is "King of the kids"? Really? Sheesh. You've clearly not seen him at training or in the video released last night that was taken before yesterday morning's session. You also must have missed his presser after the final game of 2019 when he eviscerated the playing group - in public; not behind closed doors - for their terrible disposal and inability to finish off their work. From what I've seen, he's more than happy to have the hard conversations and be the boss when he has to.freely wrote: ↑Tue 21 Jan 2020 11:28amBe surprised. "King of the kids" is not a style of leadership.Saintmatt wrote: ↑Tue 21 Jan 2020 10:43am Interestingly, no one seems to have mentioned 'leadership' as a reason we may or may not improve enough to play finals.
Without raking over coals, if anyone is not genuinely enthused (apart from the 1 or 2 rusted on Cho supporters) about Ratten's appointment and influence he's had thus far, then I'd be very surprised. Ratts clearly has an excellent connection with the players (remember that connection - and mindfulness - is the main attribute that Richmond has focused the most on for 3 years). Finally, I feel like we have some credibility in the box and someone leading game day who'd been successful doing it before. Ratt's is also the one who's emphatically driven 'skill acquisition' as a major focus over Summer. About time.
Howard. Whilst the focus seems to have bizarrely been on being lapped in a pre-Xmas time trial (who really cares?) - remember that Howard was regarded so highly by Port that he was appointed Captain in his 37th game last year. For a 23 yo - that's terrific and that why Port fans are apoplectic about losing him. You cannot buy that type of quality (or draft it in our case). The more leaders you have on-ground; the better.
Ross. I'm not Seb's biggest fan but, it's undeniable that he stepped up as Captain in Geary's absence last year. He definitely played some of his better games for the club whilst also doing that role. In a pure football sense, I'd love to see Seb become our weakest midfielder ASAP (as that means we'll have significantly upped our skill and ball movement) but, I can't think he'll not be better again this year with the experience of being the Captain in 2019. I'd love him to become more demonstrative and 'jump on my back and I'll lead you to the promised land' a la Paddy Cripps but, maybe that's not his style.
Yes, that's pretty much how I see it. If some of our younger players come good/get really inspired by some of our really inspiring new recruits, then yes we could make it. If Carlisle hits his straps at the same time as Roberton is playing well, then we will have one hell of a backline, but there are a lot of maybe's to come true.Saintmatt wrote: ↑Mon 20 Jan 2020 11:20am Long answer but ... maybe / quite possibly.
Every season, there's a bit of a bolter who starts well and then hangs on a bit from there. As many others on many other forums have mentioned - the first 5 weeks is crucial for us. Ideally, we'd win 3 and run close in the other two (i.e. not get belted and have our confidence shattered in the process). I agree that beating Sydney, Adelaide and Port will help a lot (given we perennially lose to them).
My gut feel is that we'll fall short in 2020 by a game; maybe two but that we'll be much more settled and organised for a tilt at it in 2021. That's really the year where I can see us making a huge leap.
Very good post.Saintmatt wrote: ↑Tue 21 Jan 2020 10:43am Interestingly, no one seems to have mentioned 'leadership' as a reason we may or may not improve enough to play finals.
Without raking over coals, if anyone is not genuinely enthused (apart from the 1 or 2 rusted on Cho supporters) about Ratten's appointment and influence he's had thus far, then I'd be very surprised. Ratts clearly has an excellent connection with the players (remember that connection - and mindfulness - is the main attribute that Richmond has focused the most on for 3 years). Finally, I feel like we have some credibility in the box and someone leading game day who'd been successful doing it before. Ratt's is also the one who's emphatically driven 'skill acquisition' as a major focus over Summer. About time.
Howard. Whilst the focus seems to have bizarrely been on being lapped in a pre-Xmas time trial (who really cares?) - remember that Howard was regarded so highly by Port that he was appointed Captain in his 37th game last year. For a 23 yo - that's terrific and that why Port fans are apoplectic about losing him. You cannot buy that type of quality (or draft it in our case). The more leaders you have on-ground; the better.
Ross. I'm not Seb's biggest fan but, it's undeniable that he stepped up as Captain in Geary's absence last year. He definitely played some of his better games for the club whilst also doing that role. In a pure football sense, I'd love to see Seb become our weakest midfielder ASAP (as that means we'll have significantly upped our skill and ball movement) but, I can't think he'll not be better again this year with the experience of being the Captain in 2019. I'd love him to become more demonstrative and 'jump on my back and I'll lead you to the promised land' a la Paddy Cripps but, maybe that's not his style.
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes
+ 1stkfc1 wrote: ↑Mon 20 Jan 2020 7:55pm I'm thinking we're looking between 8th-10th. Id be disappointed with 11th or under. We may scrape in Top 8 but a lot would have to go right (injury wise especially) and it would mean players like Billings, Sinclair, Gresh , Steele and Marshall have gone up another level. If King and Bytel can get up and about then we're a big chance.
How we gel as a group, will be a big factor but if we can get some momentum going.... amazing what a bit of early confidence will do for a group. Look at the Lions last year. Things change quickly in football.
Yep, interesting to see who's been on this season's "bandwagon" from the start
