Dimma's presser today:
WATCH: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1294588/-a-great-honour-to-be-a-part-of-this-great-club-hardwick----------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Depth in talent’: Damien Hardwick backs Tiger cubs to step up on big stageRichmond coach Damien Hardwick says the loss of four key Tigers presents an exciting opportunity under lights at the MCG.
Ed Bourke
HeraldSun
March 30, 2023 - 12:01PMRichmond is confident in the young players it has lined up to replace an important quartet of missing Tigers on Friday night against Collingwood
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said he was excited for his young charges who will be called up from the VFL for the blockbuster clash at the MCG.
Richmond will be without Dustin Martin (general soreness), Jacob Hopper (knee), Jayden Short (calf) and Nathan Broad (suspension) following a bruising encounter with Adelaide, but Hardwick was determined to put a positive spin on their absences.
“It’s a challenge no doubt, they’re really quality players who have gone out,” Hardwick said.
“But what we’re really happy with is one thing we sort of spoke about at the start of the year … the depth of talent that we have at the development level.
“We’re really excited that those guys who we are bringing in, they’re playing above the level of VFL, so that’s a positive for us. We’re really excited to give those guys a chance.”
Jack Ross, who had 29 disposals and a goal last weekend in the VFL, Tyler Sonsie and Noah Cumberland are all likely to feature on Friday night, but their opportunities could be short-lived with Martin and Hopper expected to return for round 4.
“I think once again the short week, and if they had a couple of days extra they would’ve been fine,” Hardwick said of the duo.
“With the cut and thrust of the early part of the season, we’d rather them just take the one week rather than pushing them and possibly missing more.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a conservative approach, it’s the right approach … we’re very confident both those boys will be available next week.”
Hardwick will coach his 300th game against the Magpies and will share the milestone with 100-gamer Jack Graham, who he said was “an incredible Richmond man”.
After a tumultuous off-season where he weighed up a move to Port Adelaide, Graham has made an impressive start to the season at half-forward, where he is averaging 6.5 tackles and five score involvements.
Hardwick said he was likely to keep the 25-year-old in the role rather than add him to the midfield mix in Hopper and Martin’s absence.
“We’ll keep him probably where he is, but we’ve also got that up our sleeve in case things don’t go as well as planned,” Hardwick said.
“We watched his highlights video – sometimes it’s good as a coach to sit back and realise how good a player is.
“I get to see him every day, but it’s a good reminder to realise what this guy brings … I don’t think there’s a better player in our footy club at delivering that ball inside 50.”
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/depth-in-talent-damien-hardwick-backs-tiger-cubs-to-step-up-on-big-stage/news-story/c32ef22da05377d3c0e480957e7696f0
