Hardwick's post-match media conference / Big names to return next match

[one-eyed]

Dimma's post-game press conference ...

VIDEO:  http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2015-02-28/preseason-round-1-hardwick-postmatch

[one-eyed]

Damien Hardwick says big names will return in next match after resting stars against Western Bulldogs

Bruce Matthews
Herald-Sun
February 28, 2015 8:58PM

RICHMOND is holding back the core of its senior players due to the extended pre-season campaign.

Coach Damien Hardwick said most would play the NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide in Albury on Saturday week in order to be ready for the late AFL season start.

“We’re still six weeks away from the actual competition. Because we’ve got a week off, there’s no point playing them one week because we only wanted them to play two games. So we figured NAB two and three (games) was when we would put our talent on show,” Hardwick said.

The Tigers had only nine of their best 22 on show in an ultra-cautious first hit-out against an almost full-strength Western Bulldogs at the Whitten Oval.

Among the big guns missing were skipper Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance, Ivan Maric and Brandon Ellis.

“I was pretty happy. Obviously, it was a pretty inexperienced side and to see some of those players win some good contests, you can’t buy that experience,” Hardwick said.

“The majority of the players we played today probably won’t be participating early in the season, so for them to get a sniff was really positive.

“We’ve probably done it (pre-season preparation) in two stages. You go hard early and then you’re in a holding pattern for the last five weeks.

“I know it’s only two weeks delay, but it seems an incredibly long time and that’s why we’ve delayed our guys coming back. I think most teams will do that.

“You can understand with Luke (Beveridge), his players are trying to learn his game plan, but our guys are a little bit more established.”

Hardwick reaffirmed that defender Steven Morris, acting captain against the Dogs, would be used in a Jake King-style role up forward this season.

“He has been playing that role in our intra-club (matches). He had two shots on goal today when the ball wasn’t inside the forward 50 much. He makes the most of his opportunities and he puts enormous pressure on as well, so we’ll persevere with that one,” the coach said.

“I thought we missed Jake last year in that role, that pressure-type forward and intimidating force up there. He puts enormous pressure on and makes players around him better.

“He (Morris) played forward as a TAC (Cup) player, so he’s going back to the future in a way. And he’ll get better.”

And the Tigers were heartened by the work of forward Chris Knights, who kicked two goals in a rare appearance in the yellow and black.

It was his first game at this level since round 7, 2013 and his past two seasons have been interrupted by knee problems.

“There’s a couple of things he did really well and there’s a couple of areas he can improve as well. It was a step forward,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve pretty much missed him for the last year and a half, so for him to get on the track today was great. We saw the old Chris, kick it to himself over his head and away he goes, which was a really exciting bit of play and we hope to see more of it.”

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-says-big-names-will-return-in-next-match-after-resting-stars-against-western-bulldogs/story-fndv8t7m-1227243098320

[one-eyed]

Hardwick wants Morris to take King's throne

Jennifer Phelan 
afl.com.au
February 28, 2015 9:15 PM


RICHMOND fans can get used to seeing Steve Morris playing the type of role recently vacated by Jake King, Damien Hardwick says.
 
Morris, 26, largely played in the Tigers' forward half intheir 22-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in their first NAB Challenge hit-out on Saturday at Whitten Oval.
 
He also captained the team in the absence of Trent Cotchin after his elevation to the leadership group for this season.
 
Hardwick said the tough defender, who played all of last season with a serious shoulder injury, had played a similar role during his Western Jets under 18 days.
 
"He's been playing that role in our intra-clubs and he's been going really well," Hardwick said.
 
"He had two shots on goal today and the ball wasn't inside 50 a lot, so he made the most of his opportunities and put enormous pressure on, which we love as well.
 
"I thought we missed Jake last year in that role ... that pressure-type forward and a bit of an intimidating force up there as well.
 
"He just puts enormous pressure on and makes players around him better. He'll continue to learn his craft there.
 
"We'll persevere with that one."
 
Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Chris Newman, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin, Bachar Houli, Nathan Foley, Brandon Ellis, Reece Conca and Shane Edwards were held back from Saturday's game.
 
Hardwick said the majority of those who missed would be available for their next NAB Challenge clash, which is against Port Adelaide in Albury in a fortnight.
Defender David Astbury was a late omission from the expanded squad, along with Ellis, Conca and Edwards, which meant the Tigers played with a seven-man bench instead of eight.
 
Hardwick said Astbury, who is coming back from a second serious knee injury, had developed some soreness this week at training.
 
"He's just got a bit of 'DOMS' [delayed onset muscle soreness] and just with his injury history we decided to pull him out," he said.
 
"We didn't want to take the risk.
 
"He was leading our best and fairest in round eight last year [before he got hurt] so we just want to make sure he gets some form up and plays some games to make sure he can put his hand up for that round one spot."
 
Hardwick also praised the performance of defender Todd Elton, who took on Tom Boyd after thriving in a backline role over the past year.
 
"I thought he was outstanding on Boyd today," he said.
 
"He's a guy who's been on our list for three years, but I thought he had the better of the duel, which we're really excited about.
 
"We've found a player who can play key back on a good player."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-28/Morris-to-replace-the-king?utm_medium=RSS

[The Big Richo]

So who takes the small forward?

We have been awful at that in the past and Morris has done a good job of it. If we go back to Newman we are dead.

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Butler will play this role eventually.

[blaisee]

Hunt  or drummond

[Yeahright]

So who takes the small forward?

We have been awful at that in the past and Morris has done a good job of it. If we go back to Newman we are dead.

Probably Hunt because we have the superstar in Grigg to play that run with role

[the claw]

we dont need one tackling sml fwd we need every fwd to play as a defensive unit and apply pressure especially the smls and flankers.

look at the premiers, bruest, rioli , puopolo all really  quick all kick goals have great goal sense  and all of em are tackling machines who always chase and harass.
it isnt hard to work out what players need for the role.
for us its especially important because riewoldt is slow and we play two 200cm blokes fwd.

when was the last time we actually had a player lay more than 100 tackles in a season. hawthorn have 3 sml fwds alone who when fit  lay close to 100 every yr.

[the claw]

Damien Hardwick says big names will return in next match after resting stars against Western Bulldogs

Bruce Matthews
Herald-Sun
February 28, 2015 8:58PM

RICHMOND is holding back the core of its senior players due to the extended pre-season campaign.

Coach Damien Hardwick said most would play the NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide in Albury on Saturday week in order to be ready for the late AFL season start.


“The majority of the players we played today probably won’t be participating early in the season, so for them to get a sniff was really positive.



http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-says-big-names-will-return-in-next-match-after-resting-stars-against-western-bulldogs/story-fndv8t7m-1227243098320

yep the side is already made up. dont expect too many changes people.
damien has played all the kids together and wonders of wonders they have got beat. he now  has his excuse to not play em again.

[tony_montana]

we dont need one tackling sml fwd we need every fwd to play as a defensive unit and apply pressure especially the smls and flankers.

look at the premiers, bruest, rioli , puopolo all really  quick all kick goals have great goal sense  and all of em are tackling machines who always chase and harass.
it isnt hard to work out what players need for the role.
for us its especially important because riewoldt is slow and we play two 200cm blokes fwd.

when was the last time we actually had a player lay more than 100 tackles in a season. hawthorn have 3 sml fwds alone who when fit  lay close to 100 every yr.

agree, if youre going to play 3 tall slow players the other 3 better be exceptional with defensive pressure

[Penelope]

Damien Hardwick says big names will return in next match after resting stars against Western Bulldogs

Bruce Matthews
Herald-Sun
February 28, 2015 8:58PM

RICHMOND is holding back the core of its senior players due to the extended pre-season campaign.

Coach Damien Hardwick said most would play the NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide in Albury on Saturday week in order to be ready for the late AFL season start.


“The majority of the players we played today probably won’t be participating early in the season, so for them to get a sniff was really positive.



http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-says-big-names-will-return-in-next-match-after-resting-stars-against-western-bulldogs/story-fndv8t7m-1227243098320

yep the side is already made up. dont expect too many changes people.
damien has played all the kids together and wonders of wonders they have got beat. he now  has his excuse to not play em again.

pretty sure they said first game mostly youngsters and older established players would be introduced over the next two.

so why need excuses when it has been the stated plan all along?

[Tigeritis™©®]

Damien Hardwick says big names will return in next match after resting stars against Western Bulldogs

Bruce Matthews
Herald-Sun
February 28, 2015 8:58PM

RICHMOND is holding back the core of its senior players due to the extended pre-season campaign.

Coach Damien Hardwick said most would play the NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide in Albury on Saturday week in order to be ready for the late AFL season start.


“The majority of the players we played today probably won’t be participating early in the season, so for them to get a sniff was really positive.



http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-says-big-names-will-return-in-next-match-after-resting-stars-against-western-bulldogs/story-fndv8t7m-1227243098320

yep the side is already made up. dont expect too many changes people.
damien has played all the kids together and wonders of wonders they have got beat. he now  has his excuse to not play em again.

So does that mean Hamspud or sideshow bob won't be playing seniors?