Drop Raph

Aussie Bears · Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:14pm

Someone had to do it

Hurricane · Post: # 778017Post **Hurricane** » Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:15pm

why?

BANG BANG

felixleo · Post: # 778024Post **felixleo** » Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:16pm

Knew it was coming sooner or later.

perfectionist · Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:17pm

Raph Fiennes that is. Yep, hasn't made a good flick in years!

saint_mite · Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:18pm

can we keep his shoulder?

Richter · Post: # 778039Post **Richter** » Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:21pm

Showed today why RL was right to persist with him. Played beautifully bringing the ball out of defence. Best game from him since the final vs Collingwood last year.

doggerel · Post: # 778054Post **doggerel** » Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:25pm

I really liked the way he went for some marks today in situations where in the past he might have double-fisted it away.

I thought his first half was pretty ordinary actually, but everyone else seems glowing, so perhaps I have got that wrong. No doubt he played a really good second half though.

I hope he gets back to the consistency he showed at the end of last season - that would be a real bonus leading into the finals.

ChelseaGuy · Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:42pm

Thought Raph had a great game today. Worked hard, kept the pressure on and seemed to back himself today

saintly_safes · Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:53pm

I thought Raph was pretty good today but i dont think you can say he had a blinder but he was towing the party line & thats what its all about. The game was in hand at half time so the presure wasnt as intense as the Geelong or Eagles game but he will get a gig next week no worries at all.

Stillwaiting · Sun 19 Jul 2009 10:53pm

played well today

Saint Bev · Post: # 779188Post **Saint Bev** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 10:31pm

Interesting, even my friend who absoloutely loves him, thought he was ordinary. He can get the ball ok, and can do some nice tackles, but he just poops himself when it comes time to get rid of the ball. Sorry, just calling it the way I see it

derby Street · Mon 20 Jul 2009 10:47pm

Saint Bev wrote:Interesting, even my friend who absoloutely loves him, thought he was ordinary. He can get the ball ok, and can do some nice tackles, but he just poops himself when it comes time to get rid of the ball. Sorry, just calling it the way I see it

Watched it twice - sorry never noticed that

Thought he was pretty good - did some nice things where he attacked the ball, a couple of knock ons - a big improvement on his first half against Weagles. He should be allowed to play next Saturday

SainterX · Post: # 779205Post **SainterX** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 10:50pm

Surprised Raph did not get cited too for rough conduct given Zac did.

Can someone say Vendetta?

Beej · Post: # 779223Post **Beej** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 11:04pm

Saint Bev wrote:Interesting, even my friend who absoloutely loves him, thought he was ordinary. He can get the ball ok, and can do some nice tackles, but he just poops himself when it comes time to get rid of the ball. Sorry, just calling it the way I see it

I've been a critic over the last couple of weeks but I couldn't fault him for his performance on Sunday.

Didn't do a thing wrong IMO and got very busy at different stages. Was composed with the footy and kept it simple which is exactly what he needs to do. Also, on a couple of occasions, really put his body on the line which was terrific.

Although, any one who has played competitive sport will tell you that it's a lot easier to turn it on when you're 10 goals up and cruising compared to when a game is in the balance.

In saying that, however, Raph would know very well that a poor performance could see him out of the side in what could be a premiership year and that is a huge amount of pressure in itself so credit where credit is due. Took a big step forward.

Bulldogs will be another litmus test for Raph and a few others who are looking to cement their spot in the side.

stinger · Post: # 779225Post **stinger** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 11:04pm

good game from raph......

degruch · Post: # 779227Post **degruch** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 11:09pm

Saint Bev wrote:Interesting, even my friend who absoloutely loves him, thought he was ordinary. He can get the ball ok, and can do some nice tackles, but he just poops himself when it comes time to get rid of the ball. Sorry, just calling it the way I see it

Geez you're hard to please Bev...you and your friend should have a look at the reply, I think you'll find it's a pretty good game from Wrecking Ball Raph. If not, we can just leave him in the middle of the ground for opposition players to run into.

realdeal · Post: # 779247Post **realdeal** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 11:29pm

And what have some of us Raph supporters been saying for the past few weeks.. give him a chance and he'll improve as his confidence returns!

whats happened the past couple of weeks...? he's gotten better and better and can brings alot to this team..yes, he's made some bloopers but the scorn he received from his first week back has been ridiculous.

walski · Post: # 779268Post **walski** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 11:55pm

stinger wrote:good game from raph......

Agreed

For the most part he was solid in the back line with one or two clangers.......

Proud of him lifted when challenged !!!!!

Legendary · Post: # 779272Post **Legendary** » Mon 20 Jul 2009 11:59pm

Have been critical of his last two weeks, but he played very well yesterday and deserved his spot ...

mr six o'clock · Tue 21 Jul 2009 1:34am

I love supporting Raph at the games as it gets on the nerves of those around me who constantly bag him. His poor disposal cost us two goals on the weekend, however overall he had a good game . My only problem with him is that he seems to be going nowhere, and he's never going to get any better. we have many players who arent great players , but their doing the job that ross wants them too and as such look much better than they did two years ago. Raph im sure is also doing the job he is assiged each week , yet he looks no better than he was two years ago. so its getting harder to be positive about him when other players in the reserves are not getting a chance.

saintsRrising · Tue 21 Jul 2009 1:36am

Raph's best game of the year.

Trend is better.

ROLS-LEE · Post: # 779330Post **ROLS-LEE** » Tue 21 Jul 2009 2:21am

just needs to stop falling over

meher baba · Post: # 779488Post **meher baba** » Tue 21 Jul 2009 1:15pm

mr six o'clock wrote:My only problem with him is that he seems to be going nowhere, and he's never going to get any better. we have many players who arent great players , but their doing the job that ross wants them too and as such look much better than they did two years ago. Raph im sure is also doing the job he is assiged each week , yet he looks no better than he was two years ago. so its getting harder to be positive about him when other players in the reserves are not getting a chance.

I assume that, during the second half of the 2008 season, you were travelling in a country with no TV coverage of AFL. So I'll remind you of what happened.

During 2008, Raph's inconsistent on-field output was at least partly explained at last by a diagnosis of epilepsy. He commenced treatment for his illness and, when he finally came back towards the end of the H&A season he was a changed man: attacking the ball, running hard and evasively, breaking lines, demonstrating excellent ground and overhead skills, etc.

His disposal by hand and foot remained a bit iffy, but - on the whole - he injected a heightened sense of forward momentum and attack out of the backline. During our 3 finals games he played out of his skin and was one of our best.

In round 1 against the Swans this year, he played in much the same way again, before injuring himself. When he finally got back, he was down on confidence and seemingly down on himself. Ross Lyon - who clearly has a lot more time for Raph than many on this forum - showed enormous face in bringing him back for the game of the season against Geelong. He went ok, and has improved further over the two subsequent AFL games he has played. With any luck, he will be back to his best by finals time, in which case he will be a required player.

Raph is definitely doing a lot better than he was two years ago, when he was effectively going nowhere.

Winmar7Fan · Post: # 779496Post **Winmar7Fan** » Tue 21 Jul 2009 1:21pm

OLB wrote:
Saint Bev wrote:Interesting, even my friend who absoloutely loves him, thought he was ordinary. He can get the ball ok, and can do some nice tackles, but he just poops himself when it comes time to get rid of the ball. Sorry, just calling it the way I see it
I've been a critic over the last couple of weeks but I couldn't fault him for his performance on Sunday.

Didn't do a thing wrong IMO and got very busy at different stages. Was composed with the footy and kept it simple which is exactly what he needs to do. Also, on a couple of occasions, really put his body on the line which was terrific.

Although, any one who has played competitive sport will tell you that it's a lot easier to turn it on when you're 10 goals up and cruising compared to when a game is in the balance.

In saying that, however, Raph would know very well that a poor performance could see him out of the side in what could be a premiership year and that is a huge amount of pressure in itself so credit where credit is due. Took a big step forward.

Bulldogs will be another litmus test for Raph and a few others who are looking to cement their spot in the side.

Said it all for me. But credit where it's due played a good game and a definite difference to previous weeks.

Duggie · Post: # 779576Post **Duggie** » Tue 21 Jul 2009 3:39pm

I have been a Raph fan all along but his opposition was weak last Sunday to the point that all of our boys stood out with perhaps one exception IMO- Kozzi.
But the heat will be on against the Doggies and I expect the claws and fangs will reappear for Raph.