Back In Black! And Red

After an 18 month absence I'm back after my beloved Dons had another mediocre season and the Tigers confirmed themselves as the number 1 team of the last 3 years.
After non-stop ramblings about Daniher and Fantasia changing teams Orazio has decided to stay and I'm hoping Joey will follow suit as he like uncle's Terry and Neale are some of my favourite ever players to don the Red and Black.

2015 Best Team Line Up's Pre-Season - Richmond

RICHMOND

B: Troy Chaplin, Alex Rance, Steve Morris
HB: Bachar Houli, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes
C: Taylor Hunt, Anthony Miles, Brandon Ellis
HF: Brett Deledio, Ben Griffiths, Shaun Edwards
F: Sam Lloyd, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Trent Cotchin, Shaun Grigg
I/C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Nick Vlastuin, Chris Newman, Ben Lennon  

Richmond Suffer Stage Fright Once Again

The Tigers may have been only lost by a point against Heave Ho Freo at Subi but the fact of the matter is that once a barrage of inside 50's come their inexperienced defense are shakier than the Greek economy.
A 20 point lead at quarter is hardly a match winning lead but I question Damien Hardwicks lack of initiative when it comes to turning around his side when they start to falter.
Given they could barely manage a forward 50 entry for huge chunks of the game to be close enough all the way through the match was testament them but with Deledio once again badly beaten by Ryan Crowley and the lack of quality small forwards maybe their was a case for him to be isolated at full forward for a while, at any rate cracking game all be it Ross Lyon style ie low scoring show's how even the competition is this year, come Round 23 I can see a complete log jam for position's between about 5th to 12th.

More Pain On The Way For Mick Malthouse

0-3 sounds bad in any one's language but in what I think have been undermanned teams they have put up stirring efforts that can't be overlooked.
Coming from the clouds (7 goals down) against the Tigers in Round 1 to lose by less than a goal, then leading Collingwood by 10 points at 3/4 time only to lose by 17 points and tonight losing ruckman Mat Kreuzer early then going down by 17 points again just small periods are costing them with their best key forward on his seemingly yearly injury break and Eddie Betts the best small forward goal kicker in the league out they are having a real crack, but now they travel to perth to play the Eagles which is massive for both teams.
My pre-season pick for top spot the Eagles are 1-2 their win over a supposed AFL standard team Melbourne and 2 losses at home both by considerable margins. Kreuzer being out for 6-8 weeks is a nightmare for the Blues when coming up against Dean Cox just lucky Nic Naitanui is injured.
Funny thing is if they can keep their front half of the ground open I can see Garlett and Yarran causing all sort's of headaches, short story shorter if they lose and Mick is sitting 0-4 I'm sure Bret Ratten will be sitting somewhere with a rye smile and so would I, he didn't deserve what he got seem's every forgot the player's he had missing for most of last year, well if Mick Malthouse is the great genius coach everyone says he is let's see it.

Tigers Finally Overcome Their Nemesis, Just

This was a cracker I suggested a close Tigers win maybe even a draw. But when Richmond kicked 40+ points clear it was curtains as far as my friends were concerned, but modern day footy can be turned on it's head in the blink of an eye, especially when you have a man like Mick Malthouse in charge.
To me Ty Vickery was the difference in the end despite the efforts Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd, Matt Kreuzer.
If this is a taste of the season to come then giddy up.

Will Tigers Finally Get Over The Blues?

Line ups for Thursday night's game.

CARLTON 
Backs: Yarran, Jamison, Henderson 
Half-backs: Tuohy, Duigan, Gibbs 
Centres: Simpson, Carrazzo, Robinson 
Half-forwards: Judd, Walker, Garlett 
Forwards: Betts, Casboult, Hampson 
Followers: Kreuzer, Murphy 
Rover: McLean 
Interchange: Armfield, Bootsma, Joseph, Lucas 
Emergencies: Bell, Laidler, Rowe 

RICHMOND
Backs: Morris, Rance, Chaplin 
Half-backs: Batchelor, Newman, Houli 
Centres: Grigg, Cotchin, Conca 
Half-forwards: Deledio, S Edwards, Jackson 
Forwards: McGuane, Riewoldt, Nahas 
Followers: Maric, Martin 
Rover: Tuck 
Interchange: Griffiths, King, Vickery, Ellis 
Emergencies: White, Vlastuin, Knights 
New: Troy Chaplin, 27, Port Adelaide

The Blues have had a monopoly on this match since it's inception 5 year's ago and maybe it will continue but as much as I hate the Tiger's I think that this year they should play final's and what better way to kick the year off than beating the Blues.
Ex-Port defender Troy Chaplin is a major addition for their key defensive position's.
And almost a forgotten man Ty Vickery's monster presence to help out Riewoldt down forward and pinch hit in the Ruck will be invaluable.  
With Jarrad Waite missing the Blues forward set up look's a bit stale and predictable so I'm going for the Tigers by 12 points. But this could be a DRAW.