One-Eyed Richmond Forum

Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on June 15, 2018, 01:33:02 PM

Title: Hardwick's press conference 15-6-18 / Dusty & Rioli certain starters: Dimma
Post by: one-eyed on June 15, 2018, 01:33:02 PM
'Certain starter': Martin back for Cat clash

Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Jun 15, 2018


RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin is considered a certain starter for the Tigers' clash with Geelong after missing last week's loss to Port Adelaide.

A minor calf injury ruled out last year's Brownlow medalist from his side's 14-point defeat at Adelaide Oval, and the 26-year-old instead spent the weekend in New Zealand visiting his father.

But he has been named to take on the Cats at the MCG on Sunday, and coach Damien Hardwick said the brilliant midfielder will return for the clash.

"Our expectation is he'll play. He'll train today and get through that we believe, so he's a certain starter at this stage," Hardwick said on Friday.

The injury had started to nag Martin "a little bit" in recent weeks according to Hardwick, but the Tigers felt if last week's clash was not in the Friday night slot then he may have been passed fit.

"It probably developed in the St Kilda game (in round 10), was a little bit worse in the Essendon game (in round 11), [but] to be fair it wasn't significantly worse. But if the game was on Sunday last week he quite possibly could have played," he said.

"It was a conservative call by us and probably a smart call to nip it in the bud and cop your one week instead of making it a two or three-week injury.

"Our medical guys have been really good with making those calls, so we back them in. Dustin will freshen up and play a significant part in our game plan this week."

David Astbury trained on Friday but will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness after an ankle injury last week, but the Tigers will welcome back premiership hero Daniel Rioli to their forward line for his first senior game of the season after a long-term ankle injury.

Hardwick said it was good the Tigers could "get the band back together" with their trio of small forwards – Rioli, Jason Castagna and Dan Butler – and that Rioli's absence had been felt.

"It's funny, we generally show clips of the last time we played the side [we're coming up against that weekend] and trying to find defensive clips without Daniel laying one, two or three tackles has been incredibly tough," he said.

"He's one of those players whose statistical output doesn't look great but he makes those players around him better. And he makes our system better, so we're looking forward to having him back."

Premiership midfielder Dion Prestia, who has played only four games this season, trained with the main group on Friday and is expected to return from injury after the Tigers' round 14 bye.

Hardwick said he will ramp up his "footy skills" work in the next two weeks in a bid to have a big say on the Tigers' back-to-back hopes in the second half of the season.

While the Tigers seem unlikely to deploy a hard tag on any of Geelong's star midfield trio Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood, Hardwick did echo the thoughts of Dangerfield, who this week again called on AFL games to be shorter.

"We've spoken about it as a coaching fraternity for the last two-to-three years, the game is far too long. You only have to look at how it goes – some sides, for example, play 33-minute quarters and others play 28-minute quarters," Hardwick said.

"Over the course of a week that doesn't seem significant but over the year it can be quite significant. When you look at games with young sides, the blowouts tend to happen in the last five minutes of quarters.

"If it's all about what's best for the competition, I think it's a no-brainer from my point of view."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-15/certain-starter-martin-back-for-cat-clash
Title: Re: Hardwick's press conference 15-6-18 / Dusty & Rioli certain starters: Dimma
Post by: one-eyed on June 15, 2018, 01:34:47 PM
From: Foxsports
Josh Gabelich
June 15, 2018 12:59pm


THE FINAL puzzle piece from Richmond’s drought breaking premiership is back.

Livewire forward Daniel Rioli will play his first senior game since breaking his foot in last year’s grand final.

The 21-year-old played every game during the Tigers’ dream run to the big dance, before ending the decider on crutches, but with a premiership medallion draped around his neck.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said he was tempted to recall Rioli for last Friday night’s trip to Adelaide, but erred on the side of caution due to a five-day break between games.

But with another run in the VFL in the bank — his fourth this year — Rioli will face Geelong in Sunday’s blockbuster clash at the MCG, joining Dustin Martin and Jack Graham back in the side.

“He’ll play, which is good. The VFL draw hurt him last week coming off a five-day break — he was probably ready last week,” Hardwick told reporters at a press conference on Friday morning.

“But again, we thought we’d give the kid the best chance to play to the best of his ability and this week provides that opportunity for him.

“He’ll bring defensive pressure no doubt. The jump from VFL to AFL’s quite significant, so he’ll be rusty and it’s going to take a little bit of time to get used to the cut and thrust of AFL footy again. But we know what a good player he can be for us.”

After playing a crucial role alongside Richmond’s mosquito fleet last year, Hardwick expects Rioli to have an impact on those around him.

“He’s one of those players. His stats output doesn’t look great, but he makes those players around him better and he makes his system work better,” he said.

“It’s good to have the band back together with (Jason) Castagna and (Dan) Butler down there. Those three operate better together.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/early-mail-ahead-of-round-13-every-afl-teams-selection-news-and-whispers/news-story/1dd67544a7e1233b87fbcf19950f3324
Title: Re: Hardwick's press conference 15-6-18 / Dusty & Rioli certain starters: Dimma
Post by: Dont Argue on June 16, 2018, 12:56:49 PM
'Certain starter': Martin back for Cat clash

Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Jun 15, 2018


RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin is considered a certain starter for the Tigers' clash with Geelong after missing last week's loss to Port Adelaide.

A minor calf injury ruled out last year's Brownlow medalist from his side's 14-point defeat at Adelaide Oval, and the 26-year-old instead spent the weekend in New Zealand visiting his father.

But he has been named to take on the Cats at the MCG on Sunday, and coach Damien Hardwick said the brilliant midfielder will return for the clash.

"Our expectation is he'll play. He'll train today and get through that we believe, so he's a certain starter at this stage," Hardwick said on Friday.

The injury had started to nag Martin "a little bit" in recent weeks according to Hardwick, but the Tigers felt if last week's clash was not in the Friday night slot then he may have been passed fit.

"It probably developed in the St Kilda game (in round 10), was a little bit worse in the Essendon game (in round 11), [but] to be fair it wasn't significantly worse. But if the game was on Sunday last week he quite possibly could have played," he said.

"It was a conservative call by us and probably a smart call to nip it in the bud and cop your one week instead of making it a two or three-week injury.

"Our medical guys have been really good with making those calls, so we back them in. Dustin will freshen up and play a significant part in our game plan this week."

David Astbury trained on Friday but will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness after an ankle injury last week, but the Tigers will welcome back premiership hero Daniel Rioli to their forward line for his first senior game of the season after a long-term ankle injury.

Hardwick said it was good the Tigers could "get the band back together" with their trio of small forwards – Rioli, Jason Castagna and Dan Butler – and that Rioli's absence had been felt.

"It's funny, we generally show clips of the last time we played the side [we're coming up against that weekend] and trying to find defensive clips without Daniel laying one, two or three tackles has been incredibly tough," he said.

"He's one of those players whose statistical output doesn't look great but he makes those players around him better. And he makes our system better, so we're looking forward to having him back."

Premiership midfielder Dion Prestia, who has played only four games this season, trained with the main group on Friday and is expected to return from injury after the Tigers' round 14 bye.

Hardwick said he will ramp up his "footy skills" work in the next two weeks in a bid to have a big say on the Tigers' back-to-back hopes in the second half of the season.

While the Tigers seem unlikely to deploy a hard tag on any of Geelong's star midfield trio Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood, Hardwick did echo the thoughts of Dangerfield, who this week again called on AFL games to be shorter.

"We've spoken about it as a coaching fraternity for the last two-to-three years, the game is far too long. You only have to look at how it goes – some sides, for example, play 33-minute quarters and others play 28-minute quarters," Hardwick said.

"Over the course of a week that doesn't seem significant but over the year it can be quite significant. When you look at games with young sides, the blowouts tend to happen in the last five minutes of quarters.

"If it's all about what's best for the competition, I think it's a no-brainer from my point of view."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-15/certain-starter-martin-back-for-cat-clash

Here we go with the ankle injury reporting again