Hardwick lauds Tigers midfield strengthBy AAP/Sports News First .
17 March 2012 06:29PM ESTRICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says it's a sign of the strength of the Tigers' burgeoning midfield that Dustin Martin can have a quiet day and no one misses him.
The Tigers beat Greater Western Sydney 20.20 (140) to 10.6 (66) in their final practice match at Canberra's Manuka Oval ahead of their season-opener in just under a fortnight.
The usually-prolific Martin was kept quiet by GWS' Jacob Townsend to 21 disposals after playing close to a full game quarters.
But rather than look at the negatives, Hardwick said it demonstrated the depth of Richmond's midfield.
"We probably trialled a few things with Dusty today - pushed him forward, probably kept him forward a bit too long, but he still made a solid contribution," said Hardwick.
"The thing about our midfield now, much like other sides, is that we can afford Dusty to have a quiet day.
"(Trent) Cotchin, (Brett) Deledio stand up - so it's become a real weapon of ours that if (the opposition) tag one, it certainly encourages the others to stand up."
Deledio, meanwhile, delivered a best-on-ground performance in his first game back since a hamstring strain ruled him out at the start of the pre-season.
He finished with a match-high of 33 disposals and a handy four goals to back up key forward Jack Riewoldt, who ended with six.
Hardwick said Deledio could have played last week in Richmond's practice match with Geelong, but chose not to rush the star midfielder back.
"We thought we'd give him the extra week to strengthen that hamstring up and he was really impressive," Hardwick said.
"We look forward to him playing up around the wing and up forward.
"It's formidable.
''Bringing in guys like Brandon Ellis and Steve Morris, who was good again today, certainly allows him [Deledio] to push more into the midfield and also up forward,'' Hardwick said.
"It's beginning to become a real strength of ours having those players that can rotate through there [the midfield]."
Long-suffering Tigers' fans are more hopeful than ever that 2012 will deliver them their first finals campaign in more than a decade, but Hardwick has yet to fulfil the promise, saying: "We're certainly making some inroads, but it is what it is.
"It's coming - we know it's coming. We've just got to make sure it comes sooner rather than later."
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2012/03/17/hardwick-lauds-tigers-midfield-strength/http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/folau-reported-in-giants-loss-20120317-1vccq.htmlRichmond coach Damien Hardwick said the Tigers would have some goal-kicking practice to attend to before the start of the season.
'I think we kicked nine (behinds) and three on the full in the first quarter and we had 35 marks in the inside 50, so our shooting for goal will definitely be a focus point his week,' said Hardwick.
'But (the win) was important for the belief of our guys, the confidence going into round one.
'It's always good to end up on a winning note.'
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Sport/2012/03/17/GWS_ponder_AFL_start_without_Izzy_729915.html
