We responded well after a mediocre start, but there's a lot of work to be done as the season progesses, and sadly most of it is lessons we have not learned about our play from last season, that opposition teams have.

I think it's worth noting how underwhelming the midfield work in the defensive half was this evening. The majority of our zone once the ball was in the centre circle area was still well within 45 metres of the ball, which made it very simple to kick it over the top. Our defenders did well to stop some of these, but we still let in at least 4 or 5.

The defenders need to sit back about 10 to 15 metres deeper, and the mids who are not pushing into the 50 when we attack need to drop back another 20 to 25, because we seem to be rolling the dice and inviting this 40-50 m kick over the top, and good teams will burn us with the paddock. The paddock won't win you games if you play it every week, but there's 17 teams out there who are more than happy to roll it out for the chance of 4 points against us.

Cannot understand why we play shotgun football in an age of tactical depth. It's plain to see we can bring finals intensity, but can we play a game style that doesn't spend an unnecessary amount of energy winning the ball and defending simple f50 entries, so that can be channelled into better link play and f50 entries down the other end?\

Oh and the fact that some players don't for options through the centre of park when they're on a flank (which is a lot in our game plan) is really poor, and it's been happening for too long. By all means I get the idea of playing both flanks and how it opens up a zone set up, but when the man is on in the corridor, you give him the ball and work the opposition over. Kreuzer was free far too often waving his arms around like an idiot. Could have had 25 possessions tonight if he had have been honoured.

Which finally brings me to my last point: Kreuzer's use of the ball at stoppages. It was really, really irritating to see a modern day footballer receive the ball at the stoppage and blindly hoof it forward regardless of the field position or situation. I don't care that the ball went 60 metres; if there's a short option on and you don't know where else to go except hit and hope, you do not hit and hope. You hit up that guy and look to run a pattern that frees you up. Crap like that on a regular basis will see it raining opposition goals.

Which finally brings me to my last point: Kreuzer's use of the ball at stoppages. It was really, really irritating to see a modern day footballer receive the ball at the stoppage and blindly hoof it forward regardless of the field position or situation. I don't care that the ball went 60 metres; if there's a short option on and you don't know where else to go except hit and hope, you do not hit and hope. You hit up that guy and look to run a pattern that frees you up. Crap like that on a regular basis will see it raining opposition goals.

I have expressed my opinion and for the record my opinion is that there is just no pleasing some supporters and I think it is poor form that after a good win with many highlights that the best some posters can do is have a cheap dig at JR because he didn't have a great night.

Regards Cazzesman

You priks biatch like little girls.

I was a little dissappointed with the fade out (as a team), however I never really thought the win was in doubt ... I'm really looking foward to see what this team can achieve this year FULL strength.

Kreuzer's use of the ball at stoppages was the difference tonight when we were getting smashed in the clearances. How many other ruckmen in the game do what he does? Roving his own ball and buttering up, constantly pushing up to the next contest. He's a 4th midfielder and his use of the ball at the stoppages is what sets him apart.

I have expressed my opinion and for the record my opinion is that there is just no pleasing some supporters and I think it is poor form that after a good win with many highlights that the best some posters can do is have a cheap dig at JR because he didn't have a great night.

Regards Cazzesman

Essendon* cheated, simple as that

Still no !@#$%& premiership yet, and its almost the weekend again!!

!!

I thought Richmond were ordinary and we still have a long way to go. Our achilles heel is not having a big mother in attack. Hampson isnt the answer. Who are Richmond's key defenders. Also Vickery was pathetic. If he had plucked a couple of those marks the game could have been totally different. Jamo is our most important player. He must become a regular on the park