Ted Richards (Post-QF Thread)

[satchmopugdog]

This bloke is just starting to reveal his ability. He must have been really stuffed around at Essendon. His confidence was obviously down and his attack on the footy. It has been a blossoming.

[barry]

The next LRT ? (Near Norm Smith in the GF)

[NMWBloods]

Richards has always been a good mark. His problem earlier in the season seemed to be mainly fading out of games and poor kicking. He played a good game right through tonight.

[Bart]

Looked all class tonight.

[Young Blood]

Has barely put a foot wrong since he came back into the side. Nice to see him well in contests as well as playing the spare man.

[Mike_B]

Has really stepped it up in the past 6 weeks. Seems to be reading the play alot better and is a lot more confident to drift off his man and help out a teammate when the ball is coming in.

[WASwansFanatic]

I for one didnt know why the Swannies recruited him.......but honestly after seeing him play in the last couple of games..........he is sensational. On more than one occassion he took a goal saving mark. Good on him I say!!!!!!!!

[SimonH]

The 'physical toughness' aspect of the game is always easier to judge in person than on TV; but that said, he seemed to throw himself into contests with more physical commitment tonight, as well. (Lack of hardness at the contest been the recurrent theme of those who say 'he'll never make it'.) Another thing that's hard to judge on TV is how well a player reads the game, but he was right in the 'hot spot' far more often than not.

While he might start the game on the bench, he's a million miles from getting dropped on current form. Has come a huge distance in about 6 or 7 weeks.

[BigBadBarryNo1]

When on-song, is marking has always been the best aspect of his game. His disposal etc have improved over the year, and he's shown his stuff this year.

[cruiser]

In the last 4-6 weeks Richards has become one of our best defenders. I take back any criticism I had of him earlier in the year. Its a pity Chambers didnt also find such form as the season progressed. You win some, you lose some.

[Gary]

I'm still a bit suspicious...not quite a "Tedite"...but well done Ted.

[Jeffers1984]

I had fears he may not of been able to step up into a tight finals situation but man he absolutely proved me wrong today!!! SuperTed!

[wyatt]

Dramatic improvement over the 2nd half of the year. Another case of player empowerment and finding great match-ups by the coaching staff. I don't think he'll ever be up to taking the opposition's best forward, but certainly capable of holding his own against the 3rd or 4th option. Still needs to improve on his decision making ability.

[dimelb]

I suspect Ted is one of those people (there are a lot of us around) who function better in a supportive environment than in a critical one. As one RWOer's sig used to say, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. He has blossomed in the last two months or so, reads the play well, takes a good mark, increasingly prepared to get his body into the contest and his kicking has improved a couple of notches. A Bloods transfusion has done him the world of good.
And I wonder what Sheeds makes of this, because I bet it isn't lost on him. How nice to get one back after being dudded by the old fox in time past.

[swantastic]

I take back what i said about Ted too,he was great last night hopefuly he will get even better.