Ted Richard looks to bump Bazza out

[Charlie]

Originally posted by Nico


Anyone thought that he might be a ready replacement for MOL who is a day to day proposition. Not to say he is in MOL's class, but...

There's no spot for him up forward at the moment. The Swans haven't had as much class in the forward fifty since 1933. I will concede, however, to three Hall of Famers in Pratt, Nash and Matthews.

I suspect Richards will be groomed as a full-back. It would be a wonderful luxury to allow Leo to move to the third tall, and an even greater luxury for Craig Bolton.

[goswannie14]

If this guy is soooooo adaptable I can't wait to see him play

[OldE]

It's stupid, vague, and incredibly illogical, but I just have a good vibe about Richards. Regardless of whether he's a gun player, or a backup, he seems like a decent bloke, and a reasonably capable footballer. I'll be proud to have him in the red and white.

[Big Al]

Originally posted by eirinn
It's stupid, vague, and incredibly illogical, but I just have a good vibe about Richards. Regardless of whether he's a gun player, or a backup, he seems like a decent bloke, and a reasonably capable footballer. I'll be proud to have him in the red and white.

Not so Stupid IMO. The fact that 3 clubs were chasing him seems to be a good sign to me.

[Captain]

It's rubbish that there is no room for Richards in our forward line.

He isn't competing with the smaller players such as Davis, O'Keefe, Buchanan etc. Vogels would be the player he would most likely be competing with.

What's wrong with this forward set up:

O' Laughlin Richards Schneider
Davis Hall O'Keefe

Goodes and Buchanan will play more in the midfield. Vogels on the bench.

[giant]

Originally posted by Charlie
On a lighter note, how funny is the pic of him dumping all his Essendon gear at the op shop?

Absolute classic. Imagine Sheeds face when he sees some homeless bloke cuddled up in his Bombers track suit under a cardboard box in the local park. Mind you, he might just assume it's Ty Zantuck.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Errr, we are missing the point, with all the discussion predicated on our best 22 being available.

Next season, we have a freakish 29yo fullforward with wonky knees, a 29yo CHF who's had an amazing run of injuries and form, a 29yo fullback who's played (brilliantly) out of his division for three years now.

And their potential replacements? Luke Vogels, still raw, and LRT, still raw - despite his GF performance.

Having a versatile tall to go forward or back is EXACTLY what we need.

[Charlie]

Originally posted by i'm-uninformed2
Errr, we are missing the point, with all the discussion predicated on our best 22 being available.

Next season, we have a freakish 29yo fullforward with wonky knees, a 29yo CHF who's had an amazing run of injuries and form, a 29yo fullback who's played (brilliantly) out of his division for three years now.

And their potential replacements? Luke Vogels, still raw, and LRT, still raw - despite his GF performance.

Having a versatile tall to go forward or back is EXACTLY what we need.

Very well put.

[SimonH]

Given the huge amount that Vogels has shown in limited opportunities so far, plus the fact that he was extremely unlucky to be squeezed out come finals time, plus the fact that Vogels does not appear to be a natural defender... I say that Vogels is still our first-choice replacement key forward, and play Ted down back.

As I've posted elsewhere, when MO'L, BBBH and Vogels were all playing up forward in 2005, and Goodesie pushing forward as he is wont to do, we were at risk (improbably for the Swans) of being too big in our forward line!

[WolfGang]

Ted has moved to Sydney yesterday, and is looking forward to the change of life up in Sydney.
Ted has already started some training here in Melbourne to get ready for the move to Sydney.
I understand that Sydney trains in the Coogee area ( excuse the Melbournian's lack of Sydney layout knowledge). I have been told that it is near the airport??

I hope that Ted plays well for Sydney in 2006, but not toooooo well when he plays Essendon in the first round @ Telstra Dome!!
Sorry about that but I am an Essendon member.

Go the Teddy Bear !!

[graystar]

Originally posted by Charlie
On a lighter note, how funny is the pic of him dumping all his Essendon gear at the op shop?

Thats is good, even better he is doing it in St Kilda, not even a Essendon op shop. He has managed to tick off supporters from 2 clubs at once!

[punter257]

i'm looking forward to seeing him in the red and white next season

its amazing what coming up to sydney can do to some players and i'm not talking about spriggs either

i mean blokes like c bolts and jolly - he'll be a 150 gamer for the swans IMO

[lachlanc]

I also rate Richards and was very pleased we managed to get him. It always amazed me the lack of opportunities he got at Essendon as I've seen him do some remarkable things, particularly up forward. I reckon he could be very good value on a forward flank/wing. He's very skilful and creative. Would be surprised if Roos plays him down back. If he does play there, would have to be a flank in my view.

[Mark Busuttil]

I know allot of Essendon fans that are sorry to see Ted go - he was never given a real opportunity there. (couldn't get 2 games in a row & surely not the reason for the Don's decline)
As for those who ask who he could replace, we have a few players (like Willow) who aren't far from retiring & allot of players who are lucky to be in the side (like Bevan) He's only had 1 great year (I felt for Vogels on GF day but maybe this will make him hungry). Also, Nick Davis & Magic missed allot of footy due to injury. Ted will get his opportunity & if there's a great player there, Roosy will find it. The side needs to change to stay hungry.

Some great comments directed at those who were bagging his recruitment too. Don't compare Ted Richards to David Spriggs.

[goswannie14]

My sister is an Essendon supporter, she's not all that happy to see him go.