After reviewing the tape I immediately noticed a spark that, apart from in the Showdown had been missing for much of the second half of this season. Perhaps the return of the Brogan-Lade ruck tandem, the debut of the exciting Marlon Motlop or the return to form of Peter Burgoyne, all contributed to getting us switched on; nevertheless it was great to get the points at home, considering our poor record there in 2008.
Admittedly I did have a sense of confidence heading into the North Melbourne game. We should have beaten them seven weeks earlier at home and I thought the win against the Demons would give us momentum.
There may have also been a sense of retribution on the minds of some players: for the last time we were at the MCG we suffered a 119-point Grand Final loss; for the last time we met the Kangaroos we lost; for the disappointing season that was and perhaps too, for the doubters who thought the match would produce a straightforward victory for the opposition.
The first quarter was a little tardy but our direct approach to the rest of the game was evident for all to see and exciting to watch from my lounge room. Corridor football was seemingly back in vogue and the likes of Pearce, Logan, Cassisi and Peter Burgoyne led the way.
It felt like Peter collected five touches each time I blinked and I coughed up some of my bacon and eggs when discovering he finished the match with 45 disposals, tying with West Coast’s Matt Priddis for most in a game for 2008. While I had some reservations a few weeks back, I really hope Pete is here next year, and if he is, he’s playing that sort of footy more often than not. Like Peter, the Lade-Brogan combination has also shown over the past fortnight that they are certainly not a spent force.
But Saturday afternoon’s match was all the more fun to watch because of two men: David Rodan and Daniel Motlop.
It was as if Mots saved a couple of tricks for the last match. He produced long bombs, cheeky goal assists and was his usual creative self, even while lying on the ground in the forward pocket! He has had an All-Australian year, finishing eighth on the league’s goal-kickers list with 57 goals, so I hope he is rewarded.
The D-Rod has been terrific all season and continues to make Richmond look silly for de-listing him. On Saturday he not only kicked five valuable goals but broke tackles, produced clearances and, as he has all season, tucked the ball under his arm and ran with it.
To defeat a finals-bound outfit by 76 points is a great result but it does cap off a disappointing twenty-two rounds. The narrow losses certainly came back to haunt us and it’s clear that we dropped too many home games to be a contender.
From a positive point of view I think the potential of Carlile, Chaplin and Gray, the improvement of Logan and Salopek, the important leadership strides shown by Shaun Burgoyne, Brogan and Cassisi, the return to form of Tredders, and second consecutive exhilarating seasons by Mots and Rodan point to where the club is heading in 2009 and beyond.
I can’t wait for Round One already!
Have an enjoyable summer break and I’ll see you at the footy next year.
P.S. My predictions for the Best & Fairest are:
1. Salopek
2. K. Cornes
3. David Rodan
4. Dom Cassisi
5. Dean Brogan
What are your thoughts?
GO POWER!
Matt the Member
