Hardwick's post-game presser

[one-eyed]

Dimma's post-match presser:

* Certainly a different game to our other prelims. Talked post-game about the achievement of making the Grand Final this year.

* It was a brutal game. To come out on top was pleasing. Conditions pretty tough especially in the first half.

* Assistant coach Adam Kingsley put things together regarding the stoppages. Really pleased with that part of the game.

* Nank was incredible in that last 5-6 minutes behind the ball.

* Port set up well behind the ball. Thought our forwards did a pretty good job.

* Deliberate out of bounds?
  Tough one. Was surprised by it as you could tell by me (Dimma) going off in the box. At least if the umpires are consistent then it's okay.

* Lynch is a big boy. Water off a duck's back.

* We have a special group of players. Dimma said he's never seen a team jell so tightly together. We struggled in Melbourne with the restrictions early on in the season because we were training separately. Enjoyed it in Queensland because we were training together.

* Differences to the last time we played Port?
  - didn't play the ground well.
  - didn't get to train to prepare as well given we were playing off a 4-day break.
  - younger team too.

* Hartlett & Duursma's comments?
  We want players to be themselves and show their personality. Saw it as a bit of fun.

* Chol will be considered again for next week.

* Difference between the 2018 flag defence (which failed at the Prelim stage) and the current 2020 flag defence?
  We're better now. Better team/list. Everyone plays their role.

* Commentary on Riewoldt's form?
  Jack bringing the ball to ground is very important. He was up against two and three opponents too. Write Jack off at your own peril.

* The AFL season (as a whole) this year has been an incredible achievement.

* Commended Ken Hinkley as a coach and Port as a team.

* No injuries. We got through unscathed.

[one-eyed]

VIDEO of Dimma's presser: https://www.afl.com.au/video/518894/dimma-on-lynch-booing-all-part-of-the-theatre-?videoId=518894&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1602853436001

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'We'll lap it up': Grand Final-bound Tigers ready to embrace 'special week'

Damien Hardwick says he's delighted with how the reigning premiers have responded since being forced to relocate to Queensland

By Riley Beveridge
afl.com.au
17 October 2020

IT MIGHT be Richmond's third Grand Final in four years, but coach Damien Hardwick has no doubts that a unique week lies ahead for the Tigers as the clubs aims to continue its remarkable recent spell of success at the Gabba next week.

Richmond will have the chance to compete for yet another premiership, having overcome a fierce test at the hands of Port Adelaide in the first preliminary final, claiming a gruelling battle by six points on Friday night.

But with the Grand Final relocated outside of Victoria for the first time in the game's history due to the ongoing implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing and celebrating the special week that lies ahead is bound to be different for the Tigers.

"The boys were talking about having a motorcade around our facility," Hardwick laughed, joking about the annual Grand Final Parade.

"We're not too sure, to be honest. It's going to be a special week, but it's going to be different. There's no doubt.

"But I think overall, to get a season underway and to play under the circumstances we have, it's an incredible achievement and we'll enjoy every moment we've got. These sorts of moments don't come around very often, so we'll lap it up as best we can."

Richmond was forced to overcome a slow start to its season in order to return to the Grand Final this year, having won just one of its first four games following an interrupted opening to the campaign.

However, the reigning premiers have responded brilliantly since being forced to relocate to Queensland and the lifestyle of the AFL hubs.

The Tigers now boast a 12-3 record since leaving Victoria, with Hardwick saying the special bond of his players has been strengthened after being forced to relocate and live on the road.

"We really struggled when we were under the protocols in Melbourne because we were disconnected," Hardwick said.

"We came up here and all of a sudden we get our players together and we understand who we are again and what we do. It's worked really well for us.

"Don't get me wrong, it's been incredibly tough. But the fact of the matter is our guys have gelled really well up here and they've enjoyed it."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/518223/-we-ll-lap-it-up-grand-final-bound-tigers-ready-to-embrace-special-week-

[one-eyed]

Hardwick hails his grand final-bound Tigers as the best yet

By Steve Barrett
The Age
October 17, 2020

Elated Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has declared his grand final-bound side is better than the formidable Tiger outfits which claimed AFL premiership glory in 2017 and 2019.

Forcibly removed from their MCG fortress due to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the road for 103 days and counting, Richmond have responded to every challenge thrown at them with aplomb, including everything valiant minor premier Port Adelaide could dish up in Friday's bruising preliminary final classic.

Hardwick's proclamation serves as a scary proposition for Brisbane and Geelong, who will do battle in Saturday night's preliminary final at the Gabba.

"I think our game's better and I think the playing group has improved," Hardwick said of his team, bidding to join the Lions, Cats and Hawthorn as a 21st-century powerhouse.

"We've got some guys who have stepped up and become important players for us.

"We're more consistent across the board and don't rely on any one player to step up and dominate like other sides to go.

"I think we get a real soldier-like performance from all our players."

Hardwick described his tight-knit, high-achieving group as special and having benefited from the large volume of time spent together, predominantly in the Queensland hub.

"I've been around footy a long time but I've never seen a group that gels like our boys," he said.

"They're a special group.

"We really struggled when we were under the protocols in Melbourne because we were disconnected, but then we came up here [to Queensland], got our players back together and started to understand who we are again and what we do.

"It's worked really well for us."

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/hardwick-hails-his-grand-final-bound-tigers-as-the-best-yet-20201017-p565z7.html