Richmond revival based on smart recruitment, and lucky callsGreg Denham
The Australian
15 June 2017Richmond’s resurgence this year can be attributed to several things, but none more important than a smart recruiting drive and a couple of “lucky” calls.
Credit for the Tigers’ flying start to the year must also be given to the appointment of general manager of football operations Neil Balme, who is not only an astute operator, but an extremely calming influence.
The arrival at the club of Dion Prestia from Gold Coast, Josh Caddy from Geelong, Toby Nankervis from Sydney and a bunch of livewire forwards has invigorated the Tigers, who, at the halfway mark of their season, are looking every bit finals players.
But it is the revivalists — senior coach Damien Hardwick and midfielder Dustin Martin — who have led the charge. And both “lucky calls” could have quite easily not still been at Punt Road.
Richmond host Sydney at the MCG on Saturday in one of the most crucial contests of the round. The result may well determine how high the Tigers finish. If the Swans are to “do a Richmond” and play finals, they have little margin for error.
Just last week, Hardwick admitted he could have been sacked last season in the final year of his contract. But prior to a disastrous season in which the Tigers won eight games to finish 13th, he was controversially reappointed for a further two years.
But after what he described as a “year of discovery where he delved into his darkest places”, he now sits fourth with seven wins from 11 games.
“I learnt a big lesson from last year because sometimes you learn most when you’re in your darkest places,’’ he told SEN last week. “The funny thing is when you’re losing you tend to work harder and shut yourself away from everyone. You think you’re the solution to the problem but half the time you are the problem.
“Sometimes you’re not good enough at the time and I was working too hard, not listening to enough people, not getting enough advice and I was at my worst.”
Hardwick, who has never coached better, thanked his superiors — club president Peggy O’Neal and chief executive Brendon Gale, and described them as “outstanding” people.
“They could quite easily have said, ‘Dimma, it’s time’,’’ he said. “But they backed me in and I am glad they did and we are a lot better for it.”
Free agent Martin has been so good he is vying with Patrick Dangerfield for Brownlow Medal favouritism. But it was not long ago he was escorted through the GWS facilities as he weighed up his future.
When his latest contract was up for renewal a few years ago, his management seriously explored an exit strategy from Punt Road and the Giants were one option.
Fortunately for Richmond, he stayed and has been a thorn in the side of most midfield opponents this year.
While the tale of Saturday’s game could be the battle of the midfield, Hardwick yesterday said he had Swans ace Buddy Franklin covered, starting with three-time All Australian Alex Rance.
“I will back any of our key defenders versus Buddy — Dave Astbury is in terrific form, as is Dylan Grimes,” he said.
“All three of those guys are really putting their hands up to getting Buddy at any stage.”
The Swans, who have won four of their past five games after a 0-6 start, are actually in a better position than Richmond were three years ago when they rallied to make the finals. In 2014, the Tigers sat 16th after winning just three of their first 13 games, before reeling off nine straight wins to scrape into the final eight.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-revival-based-on-smart-recruitment-and-lucky-calls/news-story/bdf0f8c7c3688f3f6ddbb58b788a2d44
