Damien Hardwick says Tigers Jack Riewoldt, Chris Newman ready to face Blues; Matt White doubtful Bruce Matthews
From: Herald Sun
September 03, 2013 RICHMOND forward Jack Riewoldt will train today and again Thursday to dispel any doubts about their fitness ahead of Sunday's elimination final.
Coach Damien Hardwick said on Tuesday that the decision to leave Riewoldt out of the Round 23 clash against Essendon was to allow the goalkicker to rest his right knee and back soreness so he would be primed to face Carlton at the MCG.
"There's a possibility he could've played last week, he just didn't feel right with the back, he has had a bit of back soreness over the last few weeks," Hardwick said.
"It was worth the punt to have him up and ready for this week. It's really important that we take in fresh, fit players. So, he'll train today and Thursday and put his hand up to play.
"The knee's fine. He has had bone bruising this year, he had it last year. I think it was the first game he has missed in 100, so he's a pretty durable type of character. Trying to keep him out of last week's game was an effort in itself."
On why Riewoldt wasn't rested against the GWS Giants in round 22, Hardwick said: "He was cleared medically to play, so he was available to play. The thing last week was that he just came off with back soreness. He has had an issue there and it was an opportunity to rest him to make certain he's 100 per cent this week."
Matt White, valued for his breakaway pace, is in serious doubt with a hamstring injury.
"He's an important player for us, he has had a great year, a great run and carry player. We'll see how he trains, but at this stage he's probably 50-50," the coach said.
And Hardwick is confident former skipper Chris Newman has overcome an ankle ailment to be selected for his long-awaited first finals appearance.
"He's training today and Thursday and we think he'll be right to play. It is exciting for him, he has played 230-odd games without experiencing a final," the coach said.
"There's no player I've had a greater feel for in the fact that I think he deserves to play. He has been an outstanding contributor to our footy club, a previous captain. No doubt, he has done it tougher than most, and that's why it's just reward that he finally gets his opportunity to play."
Hardwick said the Tigers had learned valuable team and individual player lessons from the narrow defeat to Carlton at the same venue only three weeks ago.
"There's no doubt it's handy. Some things didn't go our way that day. Trent (Cotchin) didn't have a great game, Dusty (Martin) didn't have a great game, a lot of players were down on that day," he said.
"We certainly got a look into how they put work into those players. Whether they come out the same, who knows. But at least we've had a look at it three weeks ago.
"It was a good kick up the backside. Ever though we kicked eight goals in that first quarter, defensively we were not to the standard we needed to be.
"It smoothed over a few cracks. Our record defensively has been pretty good since then. It's an area we've improved enormously, not only in 12 months, but three to four years and we certainly look forward to taking that into a final this week.
"The game is going to be a great game of contested ball, a tackle-fest and that's what we're looking forward to. We've played Carlton in those games before and the last three have been decided by under two kicks, so it's probably going to be a similar type game at the weekend.
"We've got to make sure we put our heads over the ball, tackle as hard as we can and get the ball going our way."
Cotchin and the rest of the leadership group have addressed the lack of finals experience in the Tigers' group by emphasising it's all about preparation leading into the game.
"Naturally, there's going to be a bit of anxiety, but we're just really excited about the opportunity. It's very different to previous years, a couple of jokes were flying around that the boys would've been having a few drinks yesterday," he said.
"In my time at Richmond, you see how passion and proud our supporters are and to be starved off that opportunity for 12 or so years is a long time."
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-says-tigers-jack-riewoldt-chris-newman-ready-to-face-blues-matt-white-doubtful/story-fndv8t7m-1226709588645
