Tigers losing ground on rivals, Jewell lamentsHerald-Sun
26 April 2016RICHMOND’S last premiership coach Tony Jewell fears the Tigers have stagnated while other teams have rushed past them.
“We all thought the eight was a realistic chance but the worry was the number of sides coming at them, like the Bulldogs, Adelaide, GWS, Gold Coast, Geelong, Melbourne and even St Kilda,” said Jewell, who led the Tigers to the 1980 flag.
“I did think the eight was a real possibility, even if they lack class. (Chris) Yarran hopefully still will be a good pick-up and (Brett) Deledio has class.
“They are both good decision makers and you don’t have to be a Rhodes scholar to see that some of the skills and decision making are well short of a top four side.
“I think Damien Hardwick has done a brilliant job to make the finals the last three years but, unfortunately for him, once you do that the expectation is you will finish higher.
“When you watch the improvement in a team like Melbourne you see how much ground we have lost. All of a sudden these sides are bobbing up and looking far more accomplished than us.
“It looks like back to the drawing board. Just the same old story.”
Leon Daphne, Richmond president from 1993-99, said he had low expectations for 2016.
“We need every one of our good players out there because our list at the moment doesn’t have any depth,” Daphne said.
“Some players have lost a bit of form, but I must say I haven’t had high expectations and this team has exceeded my expectations by playing in September the past three years, which is a credit to the coaching staff and players.
“I’m just a bit disappointed we haven’t been able to build more in the six years Damien (Hardwick) has been there. Other clubs have built towards being Grand Final contenders much better than us.”
“The list needs time to be developed and added to, for we are a long way from the top teams. Adelaide and West Coast thrashed us despite the fact we brought effort.
“I do think the Tigers are trying, having a terrific go, but the skill level has dropped since last year which can be confidence.
“I don’t always like the way we play because we aren’t nearly as direct as some teams.
“We don’t seem to run as hard as the opposition which Melbourne highlighted with some terrific ball movement.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/tony-jewell-laments-richmond-losing-ground-on-its-rivals-after-loss-to-melbourne/news-story/c16a1eee0b0e62e618e2ae4475cd8f36