The 'X' man

[YvonneH]

Didn't Xavier Richards have a good game? Did lots of things right (and one wrong that I can remember but made a lot of ground even so). Looks like Ted except darker hair colour, but runs with the same gait.

[longmile]

His voice is exactly the same as Ted's. Kind of eery

[dejavoodoo44]

Perhaps he can bring back The Richards Report? I sort of miss that. Apologies if it's still there and I just haven't noticed.

[ScottH]

Did very well, except for that one major @@@@ up. Hard to miss when you are one of 2 people in camera shot.
He'll learn from that!!

[neilfws]

(and one wrong that I can remember but made a lot of ground even so)

Are we talking about when he was chased down after slowing right on the 50? That's my abiding memory of his game, because I noted he was not shy about giving Rohan and Franklin a massive spray afterwards. I don't know if he thought they should have warned him or made a lead. It was kind of funny since they seemed confused as to why he was so angry, so just ignored him.

[liz]

Are we talking about when he was chased down after slowing right on the 50? That's my abiding memory of his game, because I noted he was not shy about giving Rohan and Franklin a massive spray afterwards. I don't know if he thought they should have warned him or made a lead. It was kind of funny since they seemed confused as to why he was so angry, so just ignored him.

It's hard to tell from the only replay I've seen of the passage (on the Blues' site, lauding the great run down tackle) but as I was watching it live, it looked like a) he couldn't decide which of Buddy or Rohan to kick to and b) neither of them was making it especially easy for him to decide. They were both one-on-one and I suspect each backed themselves to beat their opponent one-on-one with a half decent kick. But given there was plenty of space in the forward line, I reckon that a strong lead into space by one or other (or both - so long as it was not to the same space) would have made it a lot easier for X to make a decision. It's definitely something he can (and will) learn from, but I reckon there are lessons for the whole forward line in terms of how it can function better.

[Ludwig]

It's hard to tell from the only replay I've seen of the passage (on the Blues' site, lauding the great run down tackle) but as I was watching it live, it looked like a) he couldn't decide which of Buddy or Rohan to kick to and b) neither of them was making it especially easy for him to decide. They were both one-on-one and I suspect each backed themselves to beat their opponent one-on-one with a half decent kick. But given there was plenty of space in the forward line, I reckon that a strong lead into space by one or other (or both - so long as it was not to the same space) would have made it a lot easier for X to make a decision. It's definitely something he can (and will) learn from, but I reckon there are lessons for the whole forward line in terms of how it can function better.

Can you just imagine Hawthorn not have a man open for an easy mark in that situation? Would never happen.