Richmond on the hop after half-time - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Richmond on the hop after half-time

17/06/2008 07:57:45 PM Comments (0)

Adelaide simulate half-time at training and now Richmond could try something similar as the Tigers aim to dramatically improve their AFL season.

The Tigers could have killed off Melbourne by halftime on Sunday night, but the Demons fought back to nearly steal the game before Richmond steadied for the win.

The week before, the Crows swamped Richmond in the third term and Essendon also had the better of the Tigers immediately after the long break during their round-nine game.

Coach Terry Wallace admits the third quarter, known as "the premiership quarter" has become a concern.

"Over a five or six week period, it's become somewhat of an issue," he said.

"We'll trick up a few things and try to change a few things just to see whether it makes a difference.

"But ... it's mental, it's just something you need to get on top of, there's no reason why it should happen."

The Crows starting having a half-time "break" at training earlier this season and several times they have impressed during the third term in their matches.

The Tigers have four wins and a draw and will try to build on Sunday's win when they travel to AAMI Stadium this Saturday to play Port Adelaide.

Port also have four wins and Wallace knows the Power will be primed for a massive game.

After this weekend, Richmond play Carlton, West Coast in Perth and Essendon, with Wallace identifying the coming month as a key part of the Tigers' season.

"We've got some games over the next few weeks that are really going to be important for the club if we're going to have any sort of say in having a strong, vibrant second half of the year," he said.

"You don't get ahead of yourself in this competition at any stage and one-in-a-row isn't a platform for anything at all.

"We notice their coach (Mark Williams) put a few of their senior players on notice after the weekend's game, that will be interesting to see the response that they get from their group.

"But we have no control over what they're doing, as we didn't with Melbourne and their buildup last week."

Wallace also described the Melbourne win as "solid", without being "outstanding".

He would be happier with Richmond's standing halfway through the season had they managed to beat the Western Bulldogs, rather than drawing the game, and overhauled St Kilda.

"If we'd won those two games, I reckon we'd be in reasonable shape," he said.

Cleve Hughes, who has kicked 11 goals in his last two VFL games, is in line for a senior recall.

"He will certainly come up in selection discussion during the week," Wallace said.

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