Hardwick's post-game presser

[one-eyed]

Dimma's post-game presser just now:

* Our pressure was very good. Did prep our players about St Kilda playing the best footy you'll see against West Coast in the 2nd half of that game. We played high and our pressure was good. We gave a few goals away we shouldn't but we got better as the game went along.

* Early on felt we dominated for periods of the game but didn't get the reward on the scoreboard and then gave silly frees away to give them goals.

* Pleased with how Balta fought back against King after 1/4 time.

* Win built on the back on clearances. 12-15 in the first half and we were fumbly but we turned it around in the second half which was pleasing.

* Thought we played well last week. We played winning footy without winning against a very good side in Port. So we were confident coming into the game.

* Loss of Marshall was crucial for the Saints and Jones is a good player. They are better with Marshall and Jones in their side. St Kilda are better side than they showed tonight.

* Dusty spent more time in the middle of the ground. Got stronger after 1/4 time. Great understanding of the game and he did that well.

* Sheds played well. Got better with his hands as the game went along.

* Shai was good tonight. Impressive player to watch.

* Great to see Graham play good footy tonight. We're a better team when he is playing well.

* Pickett jumped well and tried hard in the ruck. Something we didn't know before the game that we now know.

[one-eyed]

Damien Hardwick post-game video:

Watch here: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/911791/round-5-hardwick-post-match

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You were confident you would find an extra gear. Do you think that happened tonight?

I thought the pressure was really good and St Kilda played some of the best footy I have seen this year in 1.5 quarters against West Coast but we know we play well and I thought we did give away a couple of goals in the first quarter and a couple of contested situations behind the ball we are not great but the guys got better as the game went on and some real positives for us.

Were you pleased with the way that your side weathered the storm? Then you were four goals up by half time.

I think we felt we dominated some long periods but could not quite get the scoreboard result we were after and then a couple of indiscretions in terms of free kicks and some loss contests and I was pleased with the fightback and a good young player against another good young player, sometimes they can drop their head and I thought they fought back well and I thought they fought back well and had a good second half. It was pleasing.

On the response from the Port game into this week:

Sometimes you can win without winning and they play a good, hard, tough brand of footy and the form is improving and it looked and felt like a Richmond game.

You had 21 clearances against one in your favour:

I think the players had their hands on the ball but pressure-wise, the Saints are good in that part of the game but then we had Sam and the midfielder is getting to work and doing a great job.

You have not tended to crush teams quite as much as that. Does that give you a particular pleasure?

Yes and no. I think we played really well. You have got to remember that Saints are down some personnel and so the loss of Marshall heard them, no doubt, and Zak Jones as well. We played really well but I think they have got some players they would love to have plain, no doubt.

Once we are on top, I thought we looked really strong. St Kilda are a better side than what they put out tonight and I think they will look better again and improve.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2021-live-updates-st-kilda-richmond-face-off-in-maddie-s-match-20210415-p57jh9.html