Another AFL Coach Under Pressure in 2008?

The Tigers went into season 2007 with great expectation but nothing eventuated and the year ended with them being extremely disappointed yet again, finishing 16 on the ladder. The endured 5 close defeats at the start of the season by when they were belted by Geelong in Round 6 by 157 points there season was all but over. Is there any chance the Tigers can turn this around in 2008?

Let’s take a look who is coming and who is going at the Richmond Football Club this year.

ADDITIONS:

Exchange period – received: Jordan McMahon (Western Bulldogs), Mitch Morton (West Coast)
Rookie elevation: Angus Graham, Jake King
NAB AFL Draft: Trent Cotchin (Northern Knights), Dean Putt (Calder Cannons), Alex Rance (Swan Districts)

DELETIONS:

Retired: Darren Gaspar (veteran – outside list), Ray Hall, Kent Kingsley, Trent Knobel
Delisted: Patrick Bowden, Brent Hartigan, Andrew Krakouer, Carl Peterson, Tas Clingan (rookie), Cam Howat (rookie)

Injuries, Injuries, Injuries ?

Some could argue that injuries to key players in Mark Coghlan, Ray Hall, Trent Knobel contributed greatly to the Tigers terrible season but even If those players were involved in the games the Tigers would still have lost, maybe all that would have changed would have been how much they lost by. The 2 big names to miss a large chunk of the season, Nathan Brown and Troy Simmonds were probably more influential in the Tigers losses. If those 2 can play the entire year and the 2nd and 3rd year players can step up then we should see some improvement in 2008. The Tigers coaching team have indicated that their pre season training leading into the 2007 season may have contributed to the major injuries that the club sustained and they will no doubt be looking at changing that during this pre season. Read more