“There’s some other things he has to tick off that the club will work really closely with him on,but for him,it’s just … about getting back out there and building good rapport with his teammates.”
Oliver ran laps after the match with Christian Salem,who also played with the VFL squad as the Demons manage what Chaplin described as “a grumbly back”.
Kysaiah Pickett flies for a mark.Credit:Getty Images
Tigers talls trouble Dees
Richmond showed they will have the capacity to trouble teams in 2024 as a mix of their new and the old overcame a slow start under new coach Adem Yze to defeat Melbourne in the AFL match simulation at Casey Fields on Sunday.
After conceding the first five goals,the Tigers reeled off 10 unanswered as Noah Balta and Jacob Koschitzke took over inside 50 to kick five goals against a defence containing Melbourne stars Steven May and Jake Lever.
Melbourne’s Jack Viney in the thick of the action against Richmond,as per normal.Credit:Penny Stephens
Melbourne missed Angus Brayshaw and Oliver in the middle,but the Tigers were without Dustin Martin,Dion Prestia and Tim Taranto.
What you need to know
Melbourne are heading into 2024 with minimal structural or personnel changes. Brayshaw and Oliver will improve them in the middle. Recruit Caleb Windsor can find the football but needs to work on his kicking,while Kynan Brown showed promise as a light but brave forward. Jack Billings had little impact as a high half-forward while Blake Howes is yet to take the next step. How they deploy Christian Petracca will once again be a major question for the Demons,who don’t know yet if recruit Shane McAdam or utility Harrison Petty will be ready for the opening round.
Max Gawn and Samson Ryan contest the ruck.Credit:Getty Images
By contrast,Richmond appear revitalised. Balta dominated inside 50,his aerial strength creating chances for his small forwards. With Martin,Taranto,Prestia and Toby Nankervis sidelined,the Tigers tried Thomson Dow in the middle,while Sam Naismith and Samson Ryan rucked. Ryan was impressive and the other two were steady. Rhyan Mansell will have scans on Monday after hurting his ankle.
Expert’s view
The Demons have not sprung any surprise positional moves,but they appear to be working on using their hands more out of the back half to create overlap run.
Key players
What they said
Richmond assistant coach Ben Rutten:“[Balta and Koschitzke] were able to display their strengths. It[the forward line] might be a bit clunky at times while they learn how each other works.”
Melbourne assistant coach Troy Chaplin:“It wasn’t so much our forward line[that let us down]. It was what we were doing behind the ball and when Richmond had the ball.[Defensively] we were a little bit off today.”
What’s next
The Tigers play Collingwood in an official practice match on Tuesday,February 27 from 6.40pm at IKON Park. Melbourne play Carlton on Wednesday,February 28.
The Demons expect to have Lachie Hunter (calf),Angus Brayshaw (illness) and Charlie Spargo (Achilles tendon soreness) back for that match.
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Richmond will decide on Monday morning whether to offer a list spot to Mykelti Lefau or Mitch Schofield ahead at the pre-season supplemental selection deadline. Both have trained with the club this pre-season,and Lefau impressed in a quarter with the AFL team on Sunday,slotting a goal.
”We’ve actually seen them for the last two or three months,so it is not all going to come down to this game,” Rutten said.
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