Hardwick's post-match media conference

[one-eyed]

Dimma just had his presser:

* Graham - we packed him up at half-time. Spoke to Jack on the phone and he said he could go. Simply incredible.

* We didn't look like it at half-time. Made a couple of changes that worked. Played a Richmond game after half-time.

* Lynch - unbelievable. Looking back to our injury adversity in the earlier part of the year, we wouldn't be here without Lynch. He had no preseason. If you had said he'd play every game I would've been shocked. He's only going to get better too.

* They cut through us. Took to half-time to get the message to sort out what we needed to do.

* Soldo has grown as a player. He's playing in a GF. Dimma said he shakes his head. Nank has had an injury-interrupted year. Both boys stood up after half-time.

* Dusty won some crucial contests. No hammy concerns. He's all good. Gets the opportunity to play again on the big stage.

* One of the better wins in the last 3 years. 21 pts down and not playing well. Our leaders stood up and got it back to looking like a Richmond game.

* The other team can throw the first punch but it's how you absorb that punch. Last year we didn't against Collingwood. We've learnt to stick to the process and not panic and try to get that differential back in one quarter. Without the runner, our leaders control that.

* We'll access both Graham and Broad over the next 8 days then let the media know.

[one-eyed]

Dimma's presser: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2019-09-20/pf-hardwick-postmatch

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Hardwick said last year's preliminary final loss had taught them to bite off what was required in the comeback in small chunks rather than get desperate to overcome the deficit in a rush.

He said the Tigers also gained confidence in victories against West Coast in round 22 and the Brisbane Lions in the qualifying final when they managed to win despite giving up an early lead

"Everyone looks to throw the first punch but it's whether your team can absorb a punch," Hardwick said.

"We've shown that."

"That is the one thing we have really gained whereas I look at the corresponding game last year versus Collingwood and we just didn't get the game back at any stage.

"That is the growth of our players and we spoke about it at the end of the game."

After half-time the Tigers reduced Geelong's space restricting their ability to switch the ball and find teammates with uncontested marks.

They also used the ball in a more intelligent manner going forward with their key forwards pushing up at the ball and finding space on the 50-metre arc rather than sitting back where the Geelong defenders outnumbered them.

Hardwick reserved special praise for the efforts of Graham after the game, with his young midfielder returning to the field after quarter time despite suffering a dislocated shoulder.

Graham looked in immense pain as he came from the ground after an awkward tackle early in the game, but played out the match to finish with seven disposals and five tackles.

"If I'm going to be honest, we packed him up at half-time," Hardwick said.

"We saw him walking off the ground and we spoke to him over the phone, asking him whether he could go on. He said, 'yep, I can do it'.

"Where it ends up with Jack, we're not too sure. But what I know is that there will be a chapter in our history that has a massive positive thing for Jack Graham.

"That effort was simply incredible."

One of the keys All Australian was defender Bachar Houli, who had an outstanding game.

Hardwick also noted Houli was among Richmond's best in their three elimination final losses from 2013-15.

"He's just become an incredible Richmond player ... he just gets better with age," Hardwick said of the 31-year-old.

Hardwick added that given their injury problems this year, it had been a great effort just to make the grand final.

The coach noted in his playing career at Essendon and Port Adelaide, he played in seven preliminary finals for only three wins.

"They're bloody hard to win ... this side is a hell of a side," Hardwick said.

"Whichever way we go, I'm incredibly proud of these blokes.".

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/jack-graham-in-doubt-as-tigers-prepare-for-afl-grand-final-20190920-p52tib.html
https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-20/tigers-lose-premiership-defender-for-final-quarter
https://www.espn.com/afl/story/_/id/27661910/tigers-rest-vfl-grand-final-players