Round 18: the other games. So, how good are we?

[MattW]

And the Suns. Which is a bit of a long shot, but still possible.

LOL, sure - let's do it. Would have bonus comedy value.

[liz]

Chol was very good, and Riewoldt had a night out, but what a difference Nankervis makes. Surprised there wasn't more discussion of his absence with respect to the Tiger's recent woes.

Shame we couldn't get that form out of him, I guess some players just go better at one club than another for a variety of reasons.

Surely the most obvious factor is just age, experience and physical development. Most players don't reach their peak until their mid-20s (despite the impatience of supporters who want to write them off within a year or two) but this is even more the case for ruckmen. He was - what? - 22 when he left us, with a dozen or so games experience. He's now just about 27 and closing in on 100 games.

[Blood Fever]

Surely the most obvious factor is just age, experience and physical development. Most players don't reach their peak until their mid-20s (despite the impatience of supporters who want to write them off within a year or two) but this is even more the case for ruckmen. He was - what? - 22 when he left us, with a dozen or so games experience. He's now just about 27 and closing in on 100 games.

Strong as an ox now. Gets away with some cheap shots during the game as well.

[Markwebbos]

Chol was very good, and Riewoldt had a night out, but what a difference Nankervis makes. Surprised there wasn't more discussion of his absence with respect to the Tiger's recent woes.

Shame we couldn't get that form out of him, I guess some players just go better at one club than another for a variety of reasons.

He played 12 games across two years as our 4th choice ruckman … I think he made the right call to leave.

[neilfws]

Surely the most obvious factor is just age, experience and physical development. Most players don't reach their peak until their mid-20s (despite the impatience of supporters who want to write them off within a year or two) but this is even more the case for ruckmen. He was - what? - 22 when he left us, with a dozen or so games experience. He's now just about 27 and closing in on 100 games.

Yes, I forget he's been gone a while now and was young and well down the order when at the Swans. Certainly made the most of his new opportunity anyway.

[Agent 86]

He played 12 games across two years as our 4th choice ruckman … I think he made the right call to leave.

3 premierships & a prelim in 4 years? Terrible decision.

[neilfws]

Still awaiting the details, but Dustin Martin out for the season with a kidney injury.

UPDATE: 'Significant' kidney injury ends Dusty's season

I thought it might be serious, he was clearly in a lot of pain. Not often you see him come off and immediately drop to the ground.

[stevoswan]

Still awaiting the details, but Dustin Martin out for the season with a kidney injury.

UPDATE: 'Significant' kidney injury ends Dusty's season

I thought it might be serious, he was clearly in a lot of pain. Not often you see him come off and immediately drop to the ground.

Just as the Tigers were finding some form.....this is a huge blow for them.

[dejavoodoo44]

Just as the Tigers were finding some form.....this is a huge blow for them.

I would be a legendary premiership, if Richmond were to win it from here. Don't really like their chances, though.

And the injury is a bit confusing, as there doesn't seem to be any contact by Robinson to the kidney area? There's a little shove in the back by Neale, but there doesn't seem to be much force? Maybe for a split second, Neale still had his in the back, when Robinson collided from the other side?

[neilfws]

And the injury is a bit confusing, as there doesn't seem to be any contact by Robinson to the kidney area? There's a little shove in the back by Neale, but there doesn't seem to be much force? Maybe for a split second, Neale still had his in the back, when Robinson collided from the other side?

I watched the replay in slow motion a few times. Martin goes more or less right side-on into Robinson. It's hard to see whether Robinson's hip gets him, or if Martin's own arm is trapped and pushed back into him. He goes down holding his right lower rib cage to the side. So maybe a rib forced into the kidney?

[liz]

I would be a legendary premiership, if Richmond were to win it from here. Don't really like their chances, though.

And the injury is a bit confusing, as there doesn't seem to be any contact by Robinson to the kidney area? There's a little shove in the back by Neale, but there doesn't seem to be much force? Maybe for a split second, Neale still had his in the back, when Robinson collided from the other side?

Horrid injury to Martin. Tigers are no chance from here. He's not been at his most dominant this season, but he's the one who is still capable of turning it on in bursts when the Tiger team isn't quite functioning. He did it in the second half yesterday (before his injury) and got the Tigers going, after being quiet in the first half. If they had a full complement of other players available, maybe they could function without him, but their injuries were extensive before losing Martin. I'm not writing off (entirely) their chances of sneaking into the finals, partly because none of the other teams around them seems able to put together a charge, but I can't see how they can go far in the finals without him and the rest.

[dejavoodoo44]

I watched the replay in slow motion a few times. Martin goes more or less right side-on into Robinson. It's hard to see whether Robinson's hip gets him, or if Martin's own arm is trapped and pushed back into him. He goes down holding his right lower rib cage to the side. So maybe a rib forced into the kidney?

Hopefully we'll get something like an official explanation.

[dejavoodoo44]

Horrid injury to Martin. Tigers are no chance from here. He's not been at his most dominant this season, but he's the one who is still capable of turning it on in bursts when the Tiger team isn't quite functioning. He did it in the second half yesterday (before his injury) and got the Tigers going, after being quiet in the first half. If they had a full complement of other players available, maybe they could function without him, but their injuries were extensive before losing Martin. I'm not writing off (entirely) their chances of sneaking into the finals, partly because none of the other teams around them seems able to put together a charge, but I can't see how they can go far in the finals without him and the rest.

It will certainly be a challenge for Hardwick, to get the rest of the squad to believe that they can do it without Martin.

[stevoswan]

I'm not one to highlight the Bulldogs for obvious reasons....but seeing Ugle-Hagen's first goal in footy from a set shot certainly did remind me of a certain childhood hero of his. He showed some of his skills today....and I dare say he has better hands than the Bud. Took some impressive grabs. Long way to go of course, but I think the moniker Buddy 2.0 isn't far off the mark.

[stevoswan]

Scores level with 40 seconds left at the 'G.

- - - Updated - - -

.......and it's a draw LOL!