Hardwick's aftermatch press conference / Sees positives & kids still learning

[one-eyed]

Hardwick sees positives
richmondfc.com.au
By Jennifer Witham
10:00 PM Sat 12 Feb, 2011


RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick left Etihad Stadium on Saturday night buoyed by the number of his young players who made serious claims for a round one berth despite team's elimination from the NAB Cup.

Hardwick was upbeat after the Tigers' 18-point loss to Carlton and 43-point loss to Collingwood and said he enjoyed the concept of three teams playing off in the opening round.

"The second half against Carlton was a little bit disappointing and I thought we got tired towards the end versus Collingwood; they were the fresher side," he said.

"They just found us out a bit. We had 16 first- and second-year players out there towards the end against a premiership-calibre side.

"We've got 10 to 12 blokes who could walk straight back into our side tonight."

Hardwick named Tom Derickx and Jake Batchelor as young players who impressed and said the experience of facing the Magpies was invaluable.

"There were some guys who put their hands up for round one, which is really pleasing for us," he said.

"We came in with the philosophy in this campaign that we just wanted to find out if a few players would put up their hand.

"We wanted to throw our kids in the deep end at the start and give them an idea of what the game is all about and how they've got to train to get to that intensity and I think we found that out.

"There's no greater challenge. Our last centre bounce was Helbig, Contin and Conca versus Thomas, Blair and Pendlebury.

"If you want to learn how to play footy, you learn to play against the best and although the scoreboard said otherwise, I think our players would have learned a hell of a lot out of tonight, which is great."

Hardwick also remained unconcerned about the Tigers' number of turnovers.

"I think you'll see that across the competition. You've got to remember this is our first hit out and it's still seven weeks before round one," he said.

"We're asking our guys in essence to play a fifth of the season before we actually start our season, so it is a very long time. They'll sharpen up."

Hardwick echoed Melbourne coach Dean Bailey's dislike of the out of bounds trial rule and said it became "almost comical" as players struggled to adapt.

He also said the Tigers would bring a stronger line up to their first NAB Challenge match in two weeks.

A Telstra blackout at Etihad Stadium last night meant Richmond with left with no communications from its coach's box for part of the night.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/107734/default.aspx
http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/buckley-has-winning-drive-20110212-1aril.html

[one-eyed]

Richmond 'kids' still learning, says Damien Hardwick
Rod Nicholson
Sunday Herald Sun
February 14, 2011

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick admitted he "threw the kids in the deep end" but believes the hidings at the hands of Carlton and Collingwood will serve his purpose going into the 2011 AFL season.

"Although the results indicate otherwise, we came out of the night with what we wanted," Hardwick said of the 18-point loss to Carlton and 43-point demolition by Collingwood in the NAB Cup matches at Etihad Stadium.

"If you want to learn how to play football, you play against the best.

"We had 16 first or second-year players out there and they are trying to learn how we want them to play - and that was our ambition.

"There are 10 or 12 players who (didn't play), who would walk straight into our best team."

Hardwick said he was pleased with the effort in the opening half against Carlton - kicking 3.4 to 1.1 - and described it as "very good".

"I think the kids just got tired by the second game but that showed them the level they need to reach," he said.

He said Mitch Morton was encouraging, given he booted a couple of goals in the opening match and then played well, while drifting forward in the latter match.

"We found it hard to get the ball inside our forward line, but the players are learning how we want them to play," Hardwick said.

He said he would give the players the week off and then concentrate on lead-up games to the season.

"There are seven weeks before the season proper and that's an extremely long time," he said.

Hardwick said he considered the three-team set up a successful experiment, but was confused with several rules, notably the free awarded against the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds: "That is contrary to everything we teach the kids."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-kids-still-learning-says-damien-hardwick/story-e6frf9jf-1226005114841