Murray MiddletonThe End For Coughlan?
April 17th 2008 09:56
For the first time in years there is hope for Richmond. Last Sunday's ten goal victory over Fremantle at Subiaco was a win for club and coach. In 'The Herald Sun' last week Mike Sheehan heavily criticised Terry Wallace's time as Richmond coach. The coach responded by selecting a young side who were suited to the large ground in Perth. Joel Bowden - arguably the club's best defender - was dropped. Greg Tivendale was also dropped. Matthew Richadrson played on the wing. Everything Wallace touched turned to gold.
Aside from Richardson, many of Richmond's older players will struggle for games this season. Greg Tivendale is on the brink of being put out of his misery. Joel Bowden will return to the side soon, but it will be interesting to see whether his omission last weekend was a mere warning, or a sign of things to come. Shane Tuck has been a good foot soldier for Wallace. However he may be forced out of the side as soon as next season if Trent Cotchin - the Tigers first selection in last year's national draft - impresses once he returns from a foot injury.
There is one player who should provide a bridge between the young and the old in the TIger's midfield: Mark Coughlan. Coughlan has missed the best part of the last two seasons after undergoing consecutive knee reconstructions. At the beginning of 2008 Wallace assured Tiger's supporters that Coughlan was not too far away from playing. It has not happened. News today that Coughlan has suffered a hamstring injury will only further serve his reputation as the forgotten man of football. This should be the prime of Coughlan's career. Instead, he is spending his mid-twenties on the sidelines.
Coughlan burst onto the scene in his second season at Richmond as a tough and reliable midfielder. He won the club's best and fairest in his third season, capping a metioric rise up the ranks. Experts predicted big things of Coughlan. Unfortunately, and through no fault of his own, he has not delivered. At age twenty-five, Coughlan has only played 83 matches. It is a record to rival St. Kilda's Justin Koschitzke. In light of his most recent injury, it looks increasingly unlikely that Coughlan will be able to return to the Tigers line-up.
In his prime Coughlan was never blessed with the speed of Deledio and Tambling. Consecutive knee injuries, let alone his recently-injured hamstring, will only hamper him further. The game has changed since Coughlan last played. In his last match the Tigers defeated Geelong at Skilled Statium. The emphasis is now on pace and strength at the clearances. If he returns to the side later in the season he must become an impact player off the bench who is capable of helping Nathan Foley win the clearances.
Although Terry Wallace has been heavily criticised for his list management at Richmond, the long term injuries of Nathan Brown and Mark Coughlan have not helped his cause. To his credit, Wallace has not used the injuries as an excuse for his disappointing time at the helm. Wallace signed a five year contract. The length of the contract suggested that he knew the magnitude of the task ahead of him. Wallace won seven of his first nine matches as coach. In hindsight he would have been better to lose a few more matches to demonstrate to the supporters what he already knew.
There is a chance that Coughlan would be captaining the club by now if he had have remained fit. That will never happen. Coughlan's challenge is to repay the club for their patience. All is not lost at Tigerland. Will Thursfield is turning into a quality tall defender and has benefited from the controversial decision to sack Darren Gasper last season. Graham Polak is beginning to deliver on his promise. Matthew Richardson is still the heartbeat of the club - for better or worse. Wallace finally has a sniff. He has until 2009 to deliver results. A fit Mark Coughlan may help him keep his job.
Aside from Richardson, many of Richmond's older players will struggle for games this season. Greg Tivendale is on the brink of being put out of his misery. Joel Bowden will return to the side soon, but it will be interesting to see whether his omission last weekend was a mere warning, or a sign of things to come. Shane Tuck has been a good foot soldier for Wallace. However he may be forced out of the side as soon as next season if Trent Cotchin - the Tigers first selection in last year's national draft - impresses once he returns from a foot injury.
There is one player who should provide a bridge between the young and the old in the TIger's midfield: Mark Coughlan. Coughlan has missed the best part of the last two seasons after undergoing consecutive knee reconstructions. At the beginning of 2008 Wallace assured Tiger's supporters that Coughlan was not too far away from playing. It has not happened. News today that Coughlan has suffered a hamstring injury will only further serve his reputation as the forgotten man of football. This should be the prime of Coughlan's career. Instead, he is spending his mid-twenties on the sidelines.
Coughlan burst onto the scene in his second season at Richmond as a tough and reliable midfielder. He won the club's best and fairest in his third season, capping a metioric rise up the ranks. Experts predicted big things of Coughlan. Unfortunately, and through no fault of his own, he has not delivered. At age twenty-five, Coughlan has only played 83 matches. It is a record to rival St. Kilda's Justin Koschitzke. In light of his most recent injury, it looks increasingly unlikely that Coughlan will be able to return to the Tigers line-up.
In his prime Coughlan was never blessed with the speed of Deledio and Tambling. Consecutive knee injuries, let alone his recently-injured hamstring, will only hamper him further. The game has changed since Coughlan last played. In his last match the Tigers defeated Geelong at Skilled Statium. The emphasis is now on pace and strength at the clearances. If he returns to the side later in the season he must become an impact player off the bench who is capable of helping Nathan Foley win the clearances.
Although Terry Wallace has been heavily criticised for his list management at Richmond, the long term injuries of Nathan Brown and Mark Coughlan have not helped his cause. To his credit, Wallace has not used the injuries as an excuse for his disappointing time at the helm. Wallace signed a five year contract. The length of the contract suggested that he knew the magnitude of the task ahead of him. Wallace won seven of his first nine matches as coach. In hindsight he would have been better to lose a few more matches to demonstrate to the supporters what he already knew.
There is a chance that Coughlan would be captaining the club by now if he had have remained fit. That will never happen. Coughlan's challenge is to repay the club for their patience. All is not lost at Tigerland. Will Thursfield is turning into a quality tall defender and has benefited from the controversial decision to sack Darren Gasper last season. Graham Polak is beginning to deliver on his promise. Matthew Richardson is still the heartbeat of the club - for better or worse. Wallace finally has a sniff. He has until 2009 to deliver results. A fit Mark Coughlan may help him keep his job.
| 75 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
