+ 32 Herald Sun, Monday, July 16, 2007 heraldsun.com.au + ROUND 15 Excited Clarko tries to keep the lid on HAWTHORN coach Alastair Mark Stevens ‘‘We’re just starting to see the And they are quickly winning over Clarkson slipped up for a moment benefit of that now, with Roughead other fans — including Richmond last night, admitting sitting second and Franklin and Thorp and these coach Terry Wallace. on the ladder was ‘‘exciting’’. ‘‘As exciting as it is to be in second sorts of guys coming through our position on the ladder, that falls away After watching his side lose by 53 system . . . we’ve got enormous flexibil- points to the Hawks at the MCG But Clarkson continuously sent out pretty quickly if you lose a couple of ity through the spine of the ground.’’ yesterday, Wallace said the Hawks the message that the Hawks were not games on the trot and you’re back in looking any further ahead than The Hawks, with a 10-5 record after were the competition’s most polished amongst the mix again. Saturday night’s clash with St Kilda playing each team once, need only kicking side. at Telstra Dome. ‘‘Our players have genuinely two wins from their final seven ‘‘They were terrific. They’ve come a ‘‘Our next challenge is St Kilda improved over the journey and matches to book a finals appearance. heck of a long way in a short period of next week. As boring and mundane they’ve got some genuine belief in one ‘‘I couldn’t foresee at this stage of time,’’ Wallace said. as that is, that’s the harsh reality of another, but it’s still a long, hard road. the season we’d be sitting second on ‘‘I think they’re the most skilful it,’’ Clarkson said. ‘‘If you get ahead of ‘‘We’ve had a significant strategy, the ladder,’’ Clarkson said. foot-skill side in the competition at yourself and think you’re going OK, as you probably all know. Two or ‘‘Such is the belief in the group, I the moment — especially from the you’ve got a 10-goal loss just waiting three years ago we (set out to) rectify haven’t been surprised by the rate of back end. Their use of the ball is Flexibility: . around the corner for you. the spine of our club. progression by our players.’’ outstanding and it hurt us all day.’’ SECOND 32 DHS 16-JUL-2007 PAGE K Y M C FB123

Tale of two seasons: Matthew Richardson has that sinking feeling again as Campbell Brown celebrates kicking a goal at the MCG yesterday. Picture: MICHAEL DODGE The axe awaits as Wallace searches for the skilful Tigers in tatters

RICHMOND coach Terry Mark Stevens ‘‘We’re not where we want to Wallace bemoaned a lack of Wallace last night Clearly, we need to get be,’’ he said. daring run from defence, prais- promised more changes, The Tigers, with just one win ‘‘Clearly, we’re in a situation ing the Hawks for setting new conceding his team was and a draw from 15 matches, more skill into our team. where we won games over the standards. were outscored 10 goals to last few years with guys . . . ‘‘The pleasing thing is the again shown up for its I don’t think anyone that Richmond supporters sort of lack of skill and hard- three in a bitterly disappoint- game is getting back to hard, ing second half. “ sat there and said they were gut-busting running rather running ability. Still six points behind was here today would sick of finishing ninth. than tempo style of play,’’ The Tigers were handed a with a tough run ‘‘We’re getting beaten at the Wallace said. lesson in precise ball- home to come, Richmond is deny that. moment. We don’t accept the ‘‘We’re clearly not adapting movement by Hawthorn in a now a raging favourite to win way we were beaten today . . . 53-point loss at the MCG. the wooden spoon. but we’re getting beaten today to it as well as some of the ‘‘Clearly, we need to get Wallace, midway through a – TERRY WALLACE with young boys. other sides.’’ more skill into our team,’’ five-year deal at Punt Rd, was ‘‘Those guys will get better, Wallace was frustrated by Wallace said. asked if he expected heat from his team’s failure to ‘‘pull the Wallace addressed his play- ‘‘There’s still a long way to but they’re not there at the ‘‘I don’t think anyone that the club if it fell away in the minute. trigger’’ and mount attacks was here today, or anyone who final seven rounds. ers immediately after the go in the season and you want from defence. watched us last week turn the ‘‘I get difficult questions at game to stress there would be to be known as competitive ‘‘We’re not getting beaten SECOND ‘‘Our inability to have ball over would deny that. the half-year mark from the no excuses for a drop in inten- every time you go out there.’’ with the same blokes that the sity in the closing weeks. club was getting beaten with enough real run and charge ‘‘The turnover rate was prob- board,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s the Wallace also made a point of ably the most disappointing nature of the game you’re in.’’ ‘‘To have at least a vibrant for six, seven, eight, nine out of the back end caused us aspect. Asked if the second-half finish to the season is very, saying it was better to be years.’’ more problems than not,’’ ‘‘Again, our VFL side has display was a sign the bottom very important,’’ Wallace said. beaten with youth than the Defenders Andrew Kellaway Wallace said. won well today. Guys will have had fallen out of his team, ‘‘We’ll put out the best sides ageing players who had and Darren Gaspar have + to step out of the side to give Wallace said: ‘‘You hope not. we possibly can in each and pushed the Tigers to the brink already been victims of Rich- Roughy-Buddy act steals others the opportunity.’’ Absolutely, you hope not’’. every game. of finals in the past. mond’s push to re-cast its list. the show, Page 39 +