VIDEO: Hardwick's press conference today...
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/roar%20vision%20archive/tabid/11454/contentid/448335/default.aspxFrom News Ltd...Hardwick insisted Vickery, who has kicked just five goals in six games this year, is on the verge of a breakout performance.
"We went through some vision with our midfielders today and the harsh reality of the key forward is that some times you will get used and there's other stages where you won't,'' Hardwick said before training this morning.
"A big game for Ty is just around the corner. We showed some vision to our midfielders today and in the first quarter (last week) he was open about three or four times by about 15m and we just couldn't quite spot him up inside 50m.
"He fulfils a role and by him going out of the side it has created a hole for us so we need to find another player to play that role.''
The Swans have been hit hard by injuries as well.
Captain Adam Goodes is out for six weeks with a quad injury, while ruckman Shane Mumford (back) and forward Gary Rohan (leg) are on the long-term injury list.
Hardwick said he wasn't paying attention to "Twitter talk'' that gun forward Sam Reid might also miss because of injury.
What the coach had taken notice of, however, is the fact that former Richmond Tigers forward Mitch Morton could be in line to make his Swans debut after kicking 10 goals in the reserves last week.
Hardwick said it would be great to see the 25-year-old back out on the field.
"He's got some qualities that not many other players have, he's a guy that could quite easily come in and kick four or five goals at AFL level,'' he said.
"If he comes in we'll certainly look at him match-up wise because he's certainly capable of winning the game off his own boot.
"He's a player that it just didn't quite work out for here. He's a good guy, Mitch, and we wish him all the best up in Sydney, just not this week.''
In a boost for the club, key defender David Astbury will make his return in the Coburg reserves this weekend almost a year after a knee reconstruction.
"He'll play a half this week which is a great step forward,'' Hardwick said.
"Betweek him and Kel Moore (hip), we haven't had those two guys for 12-18 months. People often forget when they talk about our key-position (players) that we're really excited by the thought of those two guys coming back.''
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-forward-tyrone-vickery-out-with-calf-strain/story-e6frepf6-1226351891618From Fairfax...Tall key position Ben Griffiths, who would have been one option to replace Vickery, has suffered another injury setback with a knee ligament problem sustained in the reserves ruling him out.
But the Tigers can console themselves with Sydney suffering a much bigger blow with Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes' injury ruling him out for several weeks.
Along with the loss of ruckman Shane Mumford, it means the Tigers are going into the match against the Swans - who have lost just once in six games this season - as unlikely favourites.
Sydney have struggled badly at the MCG in recent seasons, and the Tigers have won their past two matches against the Swans at the ground.
Hardwick believes the Tigers need victories to reward their solid performances this season after posting just their second win of the year last weekend against Port Adelaide.
"This is our crucial bloc - there's a lot of sides (we play) around where we are so our next four to five weeks is crucial to where we go," Hardwick said.
"We've still got a tough draw but we need to start winning these games. We've been relatively consistent in our performance but we need to start getting some wins on the board."
Hardwick is also mindful of Sydney's midfield - led by in-form Josh Kennedy - whom he worked with while an assistant coach at Kennedy's old club Hawthorn.
"Having known Josh from his Hawthorn days as a player who can push forward, and he's a clearance machine also, he's a player we've taken enormous note of," he said.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/afl/13651892/vickery-ruled-out/
