GVGjr
07-01-2008, 07:28 AM
Miller says Tigers have raw talent
05 January 2008 Herald Sun
Damian Barrett
RICHMOND football director Greg Miller sees North Melbourne of the early 1990s when he casts his well-trained eye over Richmond of 2008.
While conceding there is no Wayne Carey on the Richmond list, Miller, who put together North Melbourne's 1996 and 1999 premiership teams, said the general talent levels were comparable.
"I have been in footy a long time and I think this group is as talented as the early '90s at the Kangaroos, there is no doubt about it," Miller said yesterday as he watched Richmond players resume training after the Christmas break. "And certainly with more depth.
"It might not have a Wayne Carey, but it's got plenty of Wayne Schwasses and even a couple of Glenn Archer-types.
"And Geelong showed you don't need a Carey. Geelong showed if you have plenty of depth across all lines, which we are developing, you don't have to have a Carey."
Miller said an encouraging pre-season combined with a solid final four matches of the 2007 season gave the club strong hope it would climb the ladder this year.
The Tigers finished last season with the wooden spoon and just three wins and a draw. But two of those victories came in Rounds 19-22, against eventual preliminary finalist Collingwood and Essendon, along with brave losses to West Coast and St Kilda.
"The last four games of last year was exciting for our members to see and was indicative of what we can expect to see this year," Miller said.
"(Coach) Terry (Wallace), unashamedly, the day he arrived at the club, said this unit needed to have the same model as the Geelong Football Club, in terms of building a side.
"He said it required patience, and for people at the top of the footy club sticking together, and that is what we have done.
"We've assembled a great bunch of quality young men."
Serious injury setbacks to key players have hindered the Tigers' progress in the past two years, but most important players are expected to be ready by Round 1.
"I think with what some of the guys have been through in the past couple of years - Nathan Brown, Chris Newman, Mark Coughlan and Troy Simmonds - will actually help our leadership," Miller said.
"They've missed so much footy and been through some hard times that they appreciate every opportunity they get now, and in some ways, I think they will be better for it in terms of what they can offer not just in their football but their leadership.
"They are hungry to get back out there."
The players chose a bad day to resume training after the Christmas break with the temperature already nudging 30C and a compulsory fitness assessment time trial lap of the Tan awaiting them yesterday morning.
Cameron Howat was the first Tiger to complete the 3.8km course in about 13 minutes.
Daniel Jackson and Chris Hyde were next home, about 40m behind Howat. Star forward Matthew Richardson took around 14 minutes.
05 January 2008 Herald Sun
Damian Barrett
RICHMOND football director Greg Miller sees North Melbourne of the early 1990s when he casts his well-trained eye over Richmond of 2008.
While conceding there is no Wayne Carey on the Richmond list, Miller, who put together North Melbourne's 1996 and 1999 premiership teams, said the general talent levels were comparable.
"I have been in footy a long time and I think this group is as talented as the early '90s at the Kangaroos, there is no doubt about it," Miller said yesterday as he watched Richmond players resume training after the Christmas break. "And certainly with more depth.
"It might not have a Wayne Carey, but it's got plenty of Wayne Schwasses and even a couple of Glenn Archer-types.
"And Geelong showed you don't need a Carey. Geelong showed if you have plenty of depth across all lines, which we are developing, you don't have to have a Carey."
Miller said an encouraging pre-season combined with a solid final four matches of the 2007 season gave the club strong hope it would climb the ladder this year.
The Tigers finished last season with the wooden spoon and just three wins and a draw. But two of those victories came in Rounds 19-22, against eventual preliminary finalist Collingwood and Essendon, along with brave losses to West Coast and St Kilda.
"The last four games of last year was exciting for our members to see and was indicative of what we can expect to see this year," Miller said.
"(Coach) Terry (Wallace), unashamedly, the day he arrived at the club, said this unit needed to have the same model as the Geelong Football Club, in terms of building a side.
"He said it required patience, and for people at the top of the footy club sticking together, and that is what we have done.
"We've assembled a great bunch of quality young men."
Serious injury setbacks to key players have hindered the Tigers' progress in the past two years, but most important players are expected to be ready by Round 1.
"I think with what some of the guys have been through in the past couple of years - Nathan Brown, Chris Newman, Mark Coughlan and Troy Simmonds - will actually help our leadership," Miller said.
"They've missed so much footy and been through some hard times that they appreciate every opportunity they get now, and in some ways, I think they will be better for it in terms of what they can offer not just in their football but their leadership.
"They are hungry to get back out there."
The players chose a bad day to resume training after the Christmas break with the temperature already nudging 30C and a compulsory fitness assessment time trial lap of the Tan awaiting them yesterday morning.
Cameron Howat was the first Tiger to complete the 3.8km course in about 13 minutes.
Daniel Jackson and Chris Hyde were next home, about 40m behind Howat. Star forward Matthew Richardson took around 14 minutes.