Enough of this midfielder rubbish!
In the penultimate edition of the Tyler’s Top 10 mini-series that looks at the best 10 performances from individuals this year, Tyler is ditching the midfielders.
It’s time to shy away from the construction workers that do the unassuming work and give the interior designers, the forwards, the office workers, some hype.
Because after all… they don’t capture enough headlines!
And while with a name like ‘Richardson’ there is an expectation that you take big clunks and kick long set shots, Jake Richardson is having a sublime season for Narre Warren.
So here are Richo’s best 10 games of the season so far…
10. Round 1 vs Pakenham – 17 disposals, five marks: Not angry, just disappointed. This makes the list because he competed all evening and was a constant target in dewy conditions. But it’s a good thing for footy that Richo left this zero snags business in round 1. He’s had other games where he’s hit the scoreboard, but he was disappointingly-brilliant around the ground this night.
9. Round 6 vs Woori Yallock – 18 disposals, nine marks, one goal: Channelling his inner Nick Riewoldt, Richardson spent a lot of time up the ground on this sunny day at Kalora Park. Despite the conditions, it was a day for the smaller forwards in the Pies tight 76-point win.
8. Round 14 vs Mt Evelyn – 22 disposals, eight marks, five marks inside 50, five goals: Another big day for ‘Cho, but such is his season, he wasn’t even named in the best. Supposedly “dropped a few” according to his coach… it was hailing!
7. Round 5 vs Mt Evelyn – 18 disposals, six marks, six goals: Given the positions in which Mt Evelyn and Narre Warren are both in, one would almost expect the Maggies star forward to bag half a dozen. But what isn’t expected – nor encouraged – is his unselfishness. Too many goal-assists for the Gazette’s liking!
6. Round 3 vs Wandin – 13 disposals, nine marks, six marks inside 50, five goals: Sliding in ahead of the six-goal outing because of the much stronger opposition. In one of the bigger power moves, Richardson kicked one more snag than the key-forward at the other end that may or may not be in his way of a little trophy.
5. Round 10 vs Pakenham – 18 disposals, seven marks, six goals: His equal-second biggest haul came against the old-nemesis. It’s an extremely similar performance to the one before it, but being a better opponent it has received the nod.
4. Round 8 vs Upwey Tecoma – 15 disposals, 11 marks, eight marks inside 50, six goals: Men vs Boys. Richo beat the Tigers by four goals. Ouch!
3. Round 2 vs Monbulk – 20 disposals, 12 marks, six marks inside 50, six tackles, four goals: If you’re a supporter of Monbulk, stop reading this story because it’s about to get really ugly! It was probably the only time in which Narre has been tested this season, before the leaders – including Richardson – stepped up. Not his biggest day for goals, but six tackles, five contested clunks and six grabs inside 50 from your big man will not often be recorded in a loss.
2. Round 9 vs Officer – 25 disposals, 14 marks, 80 per cent disposal efficiency, five goals: 25 and five, thanks for coming! There wasn’t a Pies player that didn’t stuff their stat sheet this day, but Narre’s number 14 had one of his better day outs. It was the only time this season in which he recorded more handballs than kicks, which would really upset a few members of the forward fraternity.
1. Round 11 vs Monbulk – 34 disposals, 31 kicks, 20 marks, 10 marks inside 50, seven goals: Hey Monbulk back six… see that number 14 over there? Feel free to stand ANYWHERE near him. This was a rude performance from Richo, but he only took four contested marks… it was like the Hawks defenders were Millhouse from The Simpsons without his glasses and couldn’t see the 6’5 bloke tearing them to shreds.
