AFL coaches: the class of 2013 - Damien Hardwick (Age)

[one-eyed]

AFL coaches: the class of 2013

    Rohan Connolly and Jon Pierik
    The Age
    March 14, 2013

DAMIEN HARDWICK
(Richmond)

RECORD: W: 24 L: 40 D: 2 Win %: 36

STATUS: Out of contract 2014

STORY SO FAR: Gradual improvement has been the story of Hardwick's tenure at Tigerland, Richmond progressing from six wins to eight to 10 last year. There's much expectation for 2013 at Punt Road as a result, with anything less than finals likely to be viewed as failure. Hardwick still has a young list, but not necessarily inexperienced, the recruiting of several more experienced hands a clear indication the coach thinks this group is ready to step up to September levels.

KEY FOCUS: Cooler heads in the crisis will be a Hardwick mantra this season with a half-dozen of their 2012 defeats by only two goals or less. Cultivating support for Jack Riewoldt up forward will be a priority, North Melbourne recruit Aaron Edwards a step in that direction, as will more polish on the conversion front. Hardwick is aiming also to generate more potent attack from defence, former Port key backman Troy Chaplin a key to those plans.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-coaches-the-class-of-2013-20130313-2g11m.html#ixzz2NSzUty2J

[mightytiges]

While the media will get hysterical about it to try and put the Club under pressure, if we say did cop a bad year with injuries and as a result miss the Eight then I can't see the Club panicking and throwing the baby out with the bathwater regarding Hardwick's tenure. They'll back Dimma in for 2014. 2014 is the final year of our 5-year 3 2-0-75 plan and Dimma's contract goes until then.

[gerkin greg]

Isn't Dimma gettin the ass? I thought everyone was on the Paul Roos 2015 bandwagon