Richmond – Never Be Fooled, They Are No Good – Heffernan’s Spray

For all the hype of Round 1, footy season is back, welcome back Benny Cousins, Cousins versus Judd, whatever else you want to add, many people (myself being no. 1) have managed to gloss over one important fact…

Richmond are simply no good.

It’s only taken one half of football for the truth to come hammering home – Richmond are capable of playing the worst football in the league. Including Melbourne. Including the West Coast.

As I write this, they are 40 points behind a Carlton side, which have been good without being excellent. For all their promise, for all the expectation, the Tigers have simply been pathetic. Pathetic enough for me to bother writing this at half time.

The Tigers picked up Ben Cousins because they felt they were in a position to challenge strongly come finals this season. On one half of football – they are not a contender. They’re not even a contender to be a contender.

You might say you can’t judge a side on one half of football. You would be right. But it hasn’t been the fact that they are simply losing. They have made poor decisions repeatedly, the amount of fumbling has been incredible, their skills have been shocking, and their intensity lacking.

Nathan Foley – elite midfielder? Please. Deledio has been spruiked for years – yet he continually misses targets from the kick in. Shane Tuck – tough, durable, but you wouldn’t really want him as in integral cog in your midfield would you? Jordan McMahon – I would say wishy washy, but that’s being a bit kind – no wonder the Bulldogs let him go.

I would continue, but the third quarter is about to start. Let’s go see if they improve. They’ll need to. They’ve already given away a 50m penalty and a gift goal to a kid from Tassie showing them up in his first game.

Wonder how Cuz is feeling?