One-Eyed Richmond Forum

Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: MintOnLamb on January 11, 2013, 12:49:49 PM

Title: Coach Hardwick
Post by: MintOnLamb on January 11, 2013, 12:49:49 PM
We appear to be at the cusp of another cycle.
Historically, as a club and supporters, we tend to expect quite a bit at this coaching/player juncture.
Years of patience and desire for success see us thinking that now is the time for Dimma and the boys to deliver.
If we start the season well, it will drive up expectations to finish well and put pressure on the coach.
If we start badly the pressure will go on to the coach, coaching staff and playing group.

Dimma is contracted until the end of 2014

I think we are on the right track and have done very well with our list additions.

If we extended his contract to the end of 2016, could it be harmful? It would certainly show the football community our long term commitment and unity as a club plus get rid of the media bogey and avoid any undue pressure being placed on the coach/players and staff by idle media speculation??

As always I bow to comments from those more enlightened than myself and look forward to your valued opinions

Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 11, 2013, 12:52:39 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: tiga on January 11, 2013, 01:26:30 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 11, 2013, 01:53:07 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: tiga on January 11, 2013, 02:05:41 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 11, 2013, 02:18:34 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

When Hardwick makes finals then I'll listen.

Until then it's swooper for me followed by Frawley.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Judge Roughneck on January 11, 2013, 02:32:38 PM
Having choco Williams on board should help a lot.

Getting Paul roos. As.director of football would be the holy Trinity  :banghead
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Crazy_Ivan on January 11, 2013, 02:53:16 PM
Getting Paul roos. As.director of football would be the holy Trinity  :banghead
Will never happen.Roos hates our guts.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 11, 2013, 02:55:14 PM
How about Balmey?
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Tigeritis™©® on January 11, 2013, 03:29:32 PM
How about Balmey?

Now that's a great suggestion.   :clapping

.... But it was my idea!    :shh
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: tiga on January 11, 2013, 03:45:30 PM
How about Balmey?

Now that's a great suggestion.   :clapping

.... But it was my idea!    :shh
inb4nah..aah
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 11, 2013, 04:05:00 PM
How about Balmey?

Now that's a great suggestion.   :clapping

.... But it was my idea!    :shh
I suggested it in the late 90s and I know Dookie and Dwaino suggested it in 2004 and 05.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Stripes on January 11, 2013, 04:32:22 PM
I don't think so Mint. He has already had his contract extended for that exact purpose - to take the pressure off from the media perspective so he has time to get the foundations right. He has had the time now. It is time he started putting everything together and he has two years to see us playing deep into September otherwise his tenure will be seen as a failure.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: tony_montana on January 11, 2013, 04:54:38 PM
Nah no extension. He's had a really tough job to do, started from WAYYYYYYYYY back, but he's been given the time and support. If we dont play finals in either 13/14 then he will have had long enough. Love the bloke and what he's doing but another 2 years without finals will not be good enough
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Judge Roughneck on January 11, 2013, 05:16:59 PM
If he plays the Jackson and McGaune of the world instead of the Arnots and Astbutys/Eltons its boardline selfish and Wallace-like.

Do whats best for the club Dimma.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: bojangles17 on January 11, 2013, 05:38:05 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: WilliamPowell on January 11, 2013, 05:57:07 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

No he coached us for 3yrs and then walked out on the last year of his contract

Year 1 was 1993 - I remember I was in Europe for most of the season and missed very little
Yr 2 was 1994 - had that great run mid season - was the most exciting time the club had since 1982 really
Yr 3 was 1995
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 11, 2013, 06:13:27 PM
Nah no extension. He's had a really tough job to do, started from WAYYYYYYYYY back, but he's been given the time and support. If we dont play finals in either 13/14 then he will have had long enough. Love the bloke and what he's doing but another 2 years without finals will not be good enough

8 years ? :shh
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: YellowandBlackBlood on January 11, 2013, 06:57:57 PM
I think we should be more lenient on Hardwick.  He took over the club at its lowest ebb. That is usually a good platform to build it up again with top draft choices, priority picks etc. Instead he got two fully compromised drafts in a row and a third draft that was partially compromised.  He has not had the luxury of the best talent in the land and has used a Sydney approach to improving the list.  In this sense he has been very successful. He has the team playing accountable football and last season we were in every game every week.  When was the last time that happened at Punt road?
So this year again we will be looking at improvements in all KPIs. If he can do that he will satisfy the administration and will keep his job. I guess we should also ask, who would be available to do a better job? (Paul Roos does not want to coach us).
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Penelope on January 11, 2013, 07:04:31 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

he walked out because the club would not extend his contract and there was a big push, headed by Mal Brown, to have him replaced.

Northey wanted some job security and had earned it. Mal Brown stirred the pot, caused northey to walk, then slunk back into the primevil swamp from whence he crawled.

The maggot in this saga was Brown, not Northey.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Gigantor on January 11, 2013, 07:40:53 PM
wasnt he replaced by robert walls?..i mean a carlton bloke.sheesh
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Crazy_Ivan on January 11, 2013, 07:47:01 PM
I think we should be more lenient on Hardwick.  He took over the club at its lowest ebb. That is usually a good platform to build it up again with top draft choices, priority picks etc. Instead he got two fully compromised drafts in a row and a third draft that was partially compromised.  He has not had the luxury of the best talent in the land and has used a Sydney approach to improving the list.  In this sense he has been very successful. He has the team playing accountable football and last season we were in every game every week.  When was the last time that happened at Punt road?
So this year again we will be looking at improvements in all KPIs. If he can do that he will satisfy the administration and will keep his job. I guess we should also ask, who would be available to do a better job? (Paul Roos does not want to coach us).
Agreed.Compromised Drafts Hasn,t help the cause.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Crazy_Ivan on January 11, 2013, 07:48:12 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

he walked out because the club would not extend his contract and there was a big push, headed by Mal Brown, to have him replaced.

Northey wanted some job security and had earned it. Mal Brown stirred the pot, caused northey to walk, then slunk back into the primevil swamp from whence he crawled.

The maggot in this saga was Brown, not Northey.
Mal Brown should never be allowed within 10,000 Kms of Punt Road Oval
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: bojangles17 on January 11, 2013, 07:58:54 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

he walked out because the club would not extend his contract and there was a big push, headed by Mal Brown, to have him replaced.

Northey wanted some job security and had earned it. Mal Brown stirred the pot, caused northey to walk, then slunk back into the primevil swamp from whence he crawled.

The maggot in this saga was Brown, not Northey.
Northey held the club to ransom after being offered a bagful of loot by the lions. He was contracted and was a maggot to negotiate with more than a year to run on his contract. He was a found out in the end as a kook and rightfully sacked.  ::)
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Francois Jackson on January 11, 2013, 08:13:04 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

When Hardwick makes finals then I'll listen.

Until then it's swooper for me followed by Frawley.

Here here although I like Dimma and think he can do it

Couldn't agree more about swooper and spud

Tiga if we finish 12 then IMO he will go 2014. 5 yrs is enuf to produce results

No finals and we have gone backwards simple as that

Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Francois Jackson on January 11, 2013, 08:17:57 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

he walked out because the club would not extend his contract and there was a big push, headed by Mal Brown, to have him replaced.

Northey wanted some job security and had earned it. Mal Brown stirred the pot, caused northey to walk, then slunk back into the primevil swamp from whence he crawled.

The maggot in this saga was Brown, not Northey.
Northey held the club to ransom after being offered a bagful of loot by the lions. He was contracted and was a maggot to negotiate with more than a year to run on his contract. He was a found out in the end as a kook and rightfully sacked.  ::)

So didn't making a prelim justify some sort of job security especially how the club hasn't played finals for 12 or 13 yrs back in 95.

He was robbed no matter how you sugar coat it

Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Bengal on January 11, 2013, 09:13:37 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

When Hardwick makes finals then I'll listen.

Until then it's swooper for me followed by Frawley.

Frawley  bwahaha :wallywink  He should have had us in the finals a lot more. he took us from a finals team to the bottom
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: tony_montana on January 11, 2013, 09:32:27 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

he walked out because the club would not extend his contract and there was a big push, headed by Mal Brown, to have him replaced.

Northey wanted some job security and had earned it. Mal Brown stirred the pot, caused northey to walk, then slunk back into the primevil swamp from whence he crawled.

The maggot in this saga was Brown, not Northey.
Northey held the club to ransom after being offered a bagful of loot by the lions. He was contracted and was a maggot to negotiate with more than a year to run on his contract. He was a found out in the end as a kook and rightfully sacked.  ::)

I disagree with that mate. Tbh I think the main reason he started pushing for am extension so hard was the fact that that scumbag Mal Brown was really pushing to replace him. I always felt he was treated horribly at that time and didnt blame him for walking. He was undermined after all the hard work he had done.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: taztiger4 on January 11, 2013, 10:47:53 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

he walked out because the club would not extend his contract and there was a big push, headed by Mal Brown, to have him replaced.

Northey wanted some job security and had earned it. Mal Brown stirred the pot, caused northey to walk, then slunk back into the primevil swamp from whence he crawled.

The maggot in this saga was Brown, not Northey.
Northey held the club to ransom after being offered a bagful of loot by the lions. He was contracted and was a maggot to negotiate with more than a year to run on his contract. He was a found out in the end as a kook and rightfully sacked.  ::)

I disagree with that mate. Tbh I think the main reason he started pushing for am extension so hard was the fact that that scumbag Mal Brown was really pushing to replace him. I always felt he was treated horribly at that time and didnt blame him for walking. He was undermined after all the hard work he had done.
Thats about how I remembered it
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Penelope on January 11, 2013, 11:09:27 PM
Northey did not hold the club to ransom, he wanted to stay, but the club would not extend his contract.

He was white anted by Mal Brown and deserved better than he got. The only people that could be dirty on him for wanting job security would be those that backed Brown.

showing your true colors now BJ? Hows your petition to get Brown back to the club going?

Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Bengal on January 11, 2013, 11:17:14 PM
i remember talk that Northey left because he wanted to trade out some high profile players and was told no.. So he took the brisbane offer.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Eat_em_Alive on January 12, 2013, 06:35:29 AM
What's Mal Brown up to these days?
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 12, 2013, 07:19:31 AM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

When Hardwick makes finals then I'll listen.

Until then it's swooper for me followed by Frawley.

Frawley  bwahaha :wallywink  He should have had us in the finals a lot more. he took us from a finals team to the bottom

Was a good coach though. It's not his fault the list was poo
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 12, 2013, 07:22:39 AM
What's Mal Brown up to these days?

Cleans the crapier at Northcote Charcoal Chicken
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Mr Magic on January 12, 2013, 07:41:08 AM
How about Balmey?

In all seriousness, if Dimma and co fall over the next couple of years, I expect Balme will see out his football days in some capacity at Richmond.
He sure didn't shy away from the idea when he was recently asked about in on SEN. Kept his options well open.

I hope that doesn't eventuate though as it will mean Hardwick has been a success..
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: tony_montana on January 12, 2013, 09:57:12 AM
How about Balmey?

In all seriousness, if Dimma and co fall over the next couple of years, I expect Balme will see out his football days in some capacity at Richmond.
He sure didn't shy away from the idea when he was recently asked about in on SEN. Kept his options well open.

I hope that doesn't eventuate though as it will mean Hardwick has been a success..

He could always replace Helmut...
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: gerkin greg on January 12, 2013, 10:12:59 AM
How about Balmey?

In all seriousness, if Dimma and co fall over the next couple of years, I expect Balme will see out his football days in some capacity at Richmond.
He sure didn't shy away from the idea when he was recently asked about in on SEN. Kept his options well open.

I hope that doesn't eventuate though as it will mean Hardwick has been a success..

He could always replace Helmut...

 :dancing
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Gigantor on January 12, 2013, 10:36:40 AM
I reckon part of the reason why big bad Mal got away with what happened to Northey was because many of us supporters saw him as the new graeme Richmond,and that got us excited,For GR stood for all that was great about Richmond .Unfortunately big bad mal was hardly GR,not even coming remotely close.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Penelope on January 12, 2013, 10:38:54 AM
i reckon you are right Gigantor. The Sun even ran an article about how Mal Brown was the next Grahame Richmond in waiting.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 12, 2013, 03:29:35 PM
Mal Brown played how many games for Richmknd?
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: bojangles17 on January 12, 2013, 03:51:31 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

Was two wasnt it, the maggot left with a year of his contract remaining ::)

he walked out because the club would not extend his contract and there was a big push, headed by Mal Brown, to have him replaced.

Northey wanted some job security and had earned it. Mal Brown stirred the pot, caused northey to walk, then slunk back into the primevil swamp from whence he crawled.

The maggot in this saga was Brown, not Northey.
Northey held the club to ransom after being offered a bagful of loot by the lions. He was contracted and was a maggot to negotiate with more than a year to run on his contract. He was a found out in the end as a kook and rightfully sacked.  ::)

So didn't making a prelim justify some sort of job security especially how the club hasn't played finals for 12 or 13 yrs back in 95.

He was robbed no matter how you sugar coat it

Robbed, he walked out on a contract and he was a maggot for doing so, whatever way you wanna sugarcoat it :lol
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Penelope on January 12, 2013, 04:47:14 PM
why did you back mal brown in all this BJ?
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: taztiger4 on January 12, 2013, 06:14:33 PM
Mal Brown played how many games for Richmknd?

14 IIRC
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 12, 2013, 06:15:53 PM
Mal Brown played how many games for Richmknd?

14 IIRC

Prffftttt he can f off back to NCC
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Bengal on January 12, 2013, 07:06:33 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

When Hardwick makes finals then I'll listen.

Until then it's swooper for me followed by Frawley.

Frawley  bwahaha :wallywink  He should have had us in the finals a lot more. he took us from a finals team to the bottom

Was a good coach though. It's not his fault the list was poo

the list was good when he began..  poo when he finished..  a lot of players walked during his time iirc
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Phil Mrakov on January 12, 2013, 07:13:11 PM
He'll be sacked if we come 12th :D

Go back to predicting crop harvests Nostrafarmus. He is currently surpassing all KPI's and has 100% commitment from the players and the club. If we do come 12th, other heads will roll before Dimma's. Probably the most liked and respected coach since Tommy Hafey.  :thumbsup

Swooper says hi

Catch him at the Charcoal Chicken did you M? He only coached us for 3 years.  ::)

When Hardwick makes finals then I'll listen.

Until then it's swooper for me followed by Frawley.

Frawley  bwahaha :wallywink  He should have had us in the finals a lot more. he took us from a finals team to the bottom

Was a good coach though. It's not his fault the list was poo

the list was good when he began..  poo when he finished..  a lot of players walked during his time iirc

Was a good gameday coach though
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Penelope on January 12, 2013, 07:26:32 PM
 :lol
his game plan was "kick it to richo"
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: the claw on January 12, 2013, 09:29:56 PM
hardwicks job is safe as houses even if we fail to make the 8 this yr.they extended his contract to stop exactly this sort of conjecture. doesnt seem to have done the job.

i have to say though there will be real heat on not just hardwick but jackson and cameron if we miss both 2013 and 2014.

even me who has babbled on about list dynamics age groups and games played etc  think the list dynamics are getting close to where they need to be to realistically challenge. even i concede finals are a possibility but think 2014 the more realistic time.
we are entering a stage where a lot of the list requirements are being met.

still the real concern remains the over all quality.   the lack of up to standard players or/and  developed  players in key areas plus midfield depth.
i still believe more  games into juniors and development players is required.

if we make finals this yr i will be over the moon and consider us to be tracking in front of where we should be.
the concern with finals this yr is the very real possibility of doing an essendon the following yr. geez wont the crap hit the fan if that happens.

imo theres about 6 teams trying for one or maybe two spots.  6 into one doesnt go. at 5 clubs there will be a lot of disappointment. missing wont neccesarily mean wrist slashing depending on over all performance and improvement  both as a team and individuals.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Mr Magic on January 12, 2013, 11:05:39 PM
Fence sitting again. ;)
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: YellowandBlackBlood on January 13, 2013, 08:46:42 AM
hardwicks job is safe as houses even if we fail to make the 8 this yr.they extended his contract to stop exactly this sort of conjecture. doesnt seem to have done the job.

i have to say though there will be real heat on not just hardwick but jackson and cameron if we miss both 2013 and 2014.

even me who has babbled on about list dynamics age groups and games played etc  think the list dynamics are getting close to where they need to be to realistically challenge. even i concede finals are a possibility but think 2014 the more realistic time.
we are entering a stage where a lot of the list requirements are being met.

still the real concern remains the over all quality.   the lack of up to standard players or/and  developed  players in key areas plus midfield depth.
i still believe more  games into juniors and development players is required.

if we make finals this yr i will be over the moon and consider us to be tracking in front of where we should be.
the concern with finals this yr is the very real possibility of doing an essendon the following yr. geez wont the crap hit the fan if that happens.

imo theres about 6 teams trying for one or maybe two spots.  6 into one doesnt go. at 5 clubs there will be a lot of disappointment. missing wont neccesarily mean wrist slashing depending on over all performance and improvement  both as a team and individuals.
OMG, I find myself agreeing with you! ;D
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Tigger on January 13, 2013, 01:01:59 PM
I was critical on extending Hardwick's appointment last Feb/March before the season had started.

I was scared that we might have done a "2009" and lose our first few games etc.

We didn't, the extension last year was an inspired decision.

Whilst I am still a little cricital of Hardwick as a match day coach (a little too much faith in a player when things arent working) - I think that his leadership of the the RFC is ticking all the boxes.  After years of failure - at least last year our team was good value.  Aside from the first game against the Blues (and even that game we were one straight kick from Dusty away from levelling the scores in the final quarter) we were pretty much in most games for most of the game.  Very competitive.

The new depth we picked up over trade period and hopefully the natural progression of our younger players mean we should be a 2 to 3 goal better side this year.

Will we make finals - I truly believe we will.  Our draw is easier than last years.  But that doesnt mean things will happen just cos we turn up.  Our football department is too smart to think we are an automatic inclusion in the 8.

Time will tell if Hardwick improves as a match day coach - but we look the best we have in years.  For once 2013 does not look like a false dawn.

Proper structures are in place.  The football department spend is more than ever allowing us to 'compete' with some of the bigger clubs.

Gale and co are doing a mighty job.  The board is settled and harmonious.

As for who will go out of the 8 to let us in - I dont care.  Someone will go out- obvously north and the cats are the 2 most likely given their draws and lists. In reality it could be anyone.  Hawks may bomb or even the pies.  A few injuries here and there and down the slide they will go.

We will play finals in 2013.  I just hope the injury gods are kind to us this year.
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Bengal on January 13, 2013, 04:00:53 PM

We will play finals in 2013.  I just hope the injury gods are kind to us this year.

 :pray :pray :pray :pray :pray :pray :pray
Title: Re: Coach Hardwick
Post by: Hellenic Tiger on January 13, 2013, 04:32:52 PM
We have taken on and off field steps of improvement each year under Hardwick's tenure.

If you look at it from a win loss ratio perspective we will improve 2-2.5 games again this year as we have for the last 2.

One thing that may surprise us also is that either this year hopefully this or next year we may get that year of fast racked development for the group where we improve in a win loss ratio perspective by 4 games plus from the previous year and we define telly make finals which would mean we beat a Collingwood, Geelong,Carlton Fremantle or West Coast whom we have defeated very little in recent history.

It's all about rewriting history for both Damien and the playing list.