“On this specific occasion, we’re anticipated to put a block and if we didn’t it might come up in evaluate and doubtless be an ‘RFI’ or ‘room for enchancment’.”
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Docherty says Blues will probably be able to ship
Former Carlton co-captain Sam Docherty says the Blues “have gotten an obligation” to be at their finest once they face arch-rival Collingwood with finals on the road on Sunday.
The Blues, clinging to eighth spot, will possible must defeat the Magpies to rubber-stamp their first finals berth since 2013.
They appeared to have accomplished that towards Melbourne on Saturday once they led by eight factors with three minutes remaining however they made errors and conceded two late targets, the final with 13 seconds left, to interrupt hearts.
Sam Docherty is eyeing his first ultimate in 11 seasons on the elite degree.Credit score:Getty Photographs.
Docherty, determined to play a ultimate after 11 seasons on the elite degree, mentioned the Blues “wanted to play the fitting means” in what would be the optimum take a look at of their recreation plan, nerve and tradition.
“For our group, if we are able to get there (finals) it might be superior … we now have bought an obligation to our personal tradition and our group that we deliver it on the weekend,” Docherty mentioned on Tuesday.
“We’re in a singular place that our future is in our fingers. We go into this week with full confidence that if we play the fitting means we should always get the job accomplished.
“Our entire yr of engaged on our recreation plan, our tradition, in order that it stands up within the moments that matter. Clearly, this week is a second that issues.”
A rising damage listing meant Docherty was shifted into a brand new midfield position towards the Demons, and he carried out properly.
The Blues will monitor Adam Cerra (abductor) by way of the week within the hope the midfielder can return and add depth, whereas rebounding half-back Zac Williams (calf) is pushing for a return after a number of months on the sidelines.
The Blues want Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh to have a serious impression, as each drained within the ultimate time period towards the Demons. Walsh had 27 disposals for the evening however solely 9 kicks at 11 per cent effectivity.
Charlie Curnow, with 62 targets, is primed to earn his maiden Coleman Medal, for star Cat Jeremy Cameron (59) is injured, whereas Tom Hawkins (55) and Richmond’s Tom Lynch (55) are properly behind.
This shapes as crucial recreation between the Blues and Magpies golf equipment for the reason that 1988 qualifying ultimate. The fifth-placed Magpies have top-four aspirations on the road.
“From our viewpoint, the message doesn’t change. I do know it’s a large recreation and, don’t get me mistaken, I do know everybody on the earth will let you know that, however … it doesn’t actually matter who we’re taking part in towards,” Docherty mentioned.
Whereas the highlight has been on how the Blues botched the ultimate moments towards the Demons, that they’ve a 3-6 win-loss report since their vibrant begin has highlighted their current troubles. They’ve misplaced their previous three video games, together with to lowly Adelaide.
The Magpies prevailed by 4 factors when the 2 golf equipment final met. Harry McKay was absent that afternoon, whereas Jacob Weitering was damage early and subbed off.
Docherty, having twice overcome testicular most cancers, appeared with Peter MacCallum Most cancers Centre chief Shelley Dola on Tuesday. The Blues and Magpies are elevating consciousness and funds for the centre this week – specifically for prostate most cancers – and can play for the Richard Pratt Cup.
Richmond stalwart Shane Edwards to retire
Richmond nice Shane Edwards is about to retire when the Tigers’ AFL finals marketing campaign ends.
One in every of simply 5 Tigers to have performed 300 VFL/AFL matches, 33-year-old Edwards signalled the looming finish to his adorned profession in an announcement on Tuesday.
“It’s time for me to step apart and transfer on simply as gamers did for me once I began,” Edwards mentioned.
“I’m making an attempt to play to one of the best of my means on the market however it’s fairly apparent to me that I gained’t be serving to us transfer ahead subsequent yr.“
Richmond maintain seventh spot on the ladder forward of their final home-and-away recreation on Saturday evening towards Essendon.
Shane Edwards.Credit score:Getty Photographs
Edwards was picked by the Tigers within the 2006 nationwide draft from South Australia and has been a mainstay because the membership rose from the underside of the ladder to win three premierships.
Edwards acquired votes within the Norm Smith Medal, awarded to one of the best participant within the grand ultimate, in two of Richmond’s three premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
“I’ve gained (three) premierships and some wood spoons and completed in all places in between as properly,” he mentioned.
“The membership has given me all the pieces, it has modified my life endlessly.
” … After I look again on my profession, what I consider is how fortunate I’ve been. I’ve by no means actually had an enormous damage and I bought to come back to an enormous membership with actually passionate supporters.”
Edwards, the primary Indigenous member of Richmond’s 300-game membership, has performed 301 AFL video games and was an All-Australian in 2018.
“The journey he got here on displays us as a membership and what we now have achieved … it resembles all the pieces we now have turn into,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick mentioned.
“What we now have gained from Shane is unbelievable perception as people and about Indigenous tradition as properly.
“(And) the way in which he got here in and impacted video games once we wanted a spark is the one factor I’ll keep in mind from Shane as a participant.
“There’s nothing extra comforting as a coach than having a participant you already know you’ll be able to depend on.”
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Retiring Port Adelaide nice Grey ‘particular individual’
Robbie Grey retires with some embarrassment at being hailed as Port Adelaide’s biggest AFL participant.
The four-time All Australian and triple membership champion will play his final AFL recreation on Saturday evening towards Adelaide.
Port coach Ken Hinkley has little doubt the good game-breaker is the membership’s biggest participant within the AFL period.
However Grey baulks at such discuss. “You know the way a lot I like talking about myself,” the notoriously publicity-shy Grey advised reporters.
The 34-year-old will end his adorned profession as second on the membership’s all-time goalkicking listing behind Warren Tredrea and having performed the fourth-most AFL video games for the Energy – he has 365 targets from 270 video games.
Robbie Grey.Credit score:AFL Photographs / Getty Photographs
“It (retirement) might be one thing that has been on my thoughts for a good whereas, to be trustworthy,” Grey mentioned.
“You get to this type of age and the problems I’ve had bodily with my physique, I knew it was the fitting time – as onerous as it’s to make the decision and admit to your self that it’s the time.
“This yr has been a wrestle … after I weighed all the pieces up, I simply felt like this was the fitting name for me personally and the footy membership as properly.”
Melbourne-born Grey was the fifty fifth choice on the 2006 nationwide draft.
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