Very little build up to this game and given Carlton's form and Richmond's sudden loss of it, not at all surprising. For the Tigers this was a must win game. Lose this and that's the season over, no chance of making the eight. Despite the fact that Richmond were favourites and that our form was better Carlton are always a dangerous team for us. They seem to lift to play Richmond and we have trouble with them. Things were not made easier by the forecast of wet, windy weather with possible hailstorms. We're a tall side, crappy conditions bring us down to the level of the strugglers in Carlton. Duncan Kellaway came back in to cover the loss of Gaspar and Kane Johnson did not recover from an injury suffered against the Kangaroos. This had pathetic loss written all over it.

Carlton kicked the first couple of goals then Coughlan kick started the Tiger midfield and Rodan and Newman came into the game, both kicking goals. We scraped out of the first quarter with a slender lead. In the second quarter we got into it and began to look the better side. The midfield without Campbell and Johnson ran out of steam and the crumbers in Rodan and Krakouer had to plug holes there and combined with the loss of Duncan Kellaway in the first quarter this hurt our forward line and left a hole in the backline that a player like Justin Murphy could exploit, he did, we lost touch and the game right there in the third quarter. We made a comeback and Rodan kicked one of his beauties, but it was too little too late. A seven-point loss sent our season into freefall. I can't believe that Richmond keep doing this. What happened to the team that wouldn't lose earlier in the season? I can see it all happening, we'll lose another four or five on the trot, just to make absolutely sure that we have no chance of making the eight and then win a few late in the season when it doesn't matter. Maybe we can get a decent second round draft pick and use it on Travis Cloke, at least that would shove it up Collingwood.

Tivendale was our best and Rodan continued his good form by kicking two goals off the bench and being named amongst the best. Such a pity he plays for one of the weakest sides in the league.

Saturday 21/06/03
Coburg Tigers V Northern Bullants
Coburg City Oval

Officially this was mid season rest week for the AFL. However Richmond acknowledged that recent performances by senior players had not been up to scratch and 6 regular senior selections were expected to play for Richmond's VFL affiliate Coburg. Rodan was amongst one of the 'lucky' 6. Despite his regular appearances in the Tigers best players list win or lose there seemed to a perception that he had lost focus. There was speculation that a groin injury may have prevented him from lining up at all, but it came good in time. He only played for a half and played well in that half, he was rested to make sure that the groin injury did not flare. Dragicevic was a star for Coburg and that was good to see, because he has been damned unlucky with 2 knee reconstructions behind him. Ben Holland also played well and it would be nice to see him back in the seniors. I feel that with the players due to resume after the break that D-Rod's string of 34 consecutive senior appearances may be under severe threat.