Hardwick's post-match media conference

[one-eyed]

Dimma's presser:

* Are you reinvigorated as a coach due to playing the cubs? Dimma said yeah it is exciting. He spends time on the bench as it is easier to communicate now that you can't use the runners under the new rules. Praised Stack and Ross.

* Our pressure in first half was outstanding. Scoreboard eventually reflected our dominance (by half-time).

* Even in the GWS game our pressure was good. We just ran out of numbers. It was good last week.

* We are a turnover based side. Spoke midweek about improving in that area and pleased we did.

* We went too quick at stages. Swans played a spare back and we went too quick into that outnumber. We had 17 inside 50s for just two goals in the last quarter. Something we'll work on this week.

* Dusty was great. Knew he would respond. Dusty dictates where he gets the advantage and tonight he felt it was up forward. We agreed with that. We'd of course love him at the stoppages too.

* We are harsh on our champions. Dusty is an incredible player. Could have taken a couple of contested marks tonight but I'm sure he'll deliver one soon.

* A reporter said Dusty doesn't get many frees. Dimma replied that Dust was stiff not to get a free in the goalsquare when his opponent had Dusty in a headlock.

* Dimma thinks we'll cope fine with the 5 day break as we've done it before (eg: last year). We have a positive mindset with regard to it. Melbourne will be expecting to bounce back after losing today so we are looking forward to that challenge.

* Jack Riewoldt is highly likely to play against Melbourne.

* Credit to our recruiting and VFL development for our young cubs. They know what the template is to become a Richmond player We know we have a long depth. Dimma said he's extremely fortunate to have some many quality footballers at his disposal. Our recruiters keep finding them. We took the bold decision to let some quality blokes go at the end of last year knowing we had these quality cubs coming through.

* We've been more proactive this year with who goes into our midfield. Ross is showing he can become a good player for us. We've been using Higgins more in there. Prestia has stepped up in there.

* Cotch won't play Wednesday. High probably for the Bulldogs game.

[one-eyed]

Here's the vision of Dimma's post-match presser:

WATCH HERE: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2019-04-20/round-5-hardwick-postmatch

[one-eyed]

“The pleasing thing was the way we played. We looked really Richmond-like. It was incredible,” Hardwick said.

“I thought our defensive pressure throughout the game was outstanding, and we really took it up to the Swans and we were really fortunate at the end that the scoreboard reflected our dominance.

He lauded speedy defender Shane Edwards, who was one of Richmond’s best — particularly in creating turnovers, from which the Tigers produced their first 12 goals — and the team’s defensive approach that he said had built in recent weeks.

“It’s the one thing I think our boys can hang their hat on at the end of the day — that it might not be your day offensively, but defensively you can certainly contribute, and I thought that our guys did that in spades,” he said.

“We’ve only got to look at a couple of our younger players in Jack Ross and young Stacky (Sydney Stack) and how they attack the contest and it’s inspirational.

“All of a sudden, everyone starts to go ‘well, if they’re doing it, we’re doing it’.”

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/dustin-martin-dominates-in-return-as-richmonds-system-holds-up-against-sydney/news-story/1f1cf1bae5cfca2f2f1db50b593fbeda

Hardwick said Martin had earned the right to move himself forward whenever he saw fit, while acknowledging the Tigers also love having him around the ball as much as possible.

There is renewed flexibility in this Richmond line-up, which has swung temporary captain Shane Edwards into defence with great effect.

Instead, players such as second-gamer Jack Ross, second-year player Jack Higgins and fifth-gamer Liam Baker were given opportunities in the middle.

It helped that premiership onballer Dion Prestia was an outstanding contributor, while Josh Caddy also racked up double-digit centre-bounce attendances.

Hardwick said Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt (wrist) was "highly likely", but captain Trent Cotchin (hamstring) was at least another week away.

"We've dealt with shorter breaks before and we've always played really well, so it's a positive mindset from us," the coach said.

"We're really looking forward to the challenge. The Demons will come hard and they'll be disappointed with their result today.

"We understand what a proud club they are, but I'm really confident our boys will come too and play the brand of footy Richmond people want to see, so we look forward to that challenge."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-20/incredible-martin-young-guns-put-smile-on-dimmas-face