This isn't on the web so I scanned it ....
Richmond
By Glenn McFarlane
Thu 18 Mar 2010, Page N31
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IS IT ANOTHER FALSE DAWN?
The last time a new Richmond coach arrived, he promised to change the losing culture at Punt Rd, invest in kids and to never deviate from the long-term vision.
For reasons many and varied, the plans came to nothing.
This 2010 new dawn at a club that has almost had a patent on them over the past generation has a realistic, long-term chance of success if the Tigers stick to Damien Hardwick's pledge to avoid short-cuts.
That doesn't mean there won't be more pain for Tiger supporters. There will be plenty of it, particularly this year.
But Hardwick plans to bring accountability and a team-first mantra to a list that has had a major turnover since the club's 15th placing last year.
Matthew Richardson's retirement leaves a gaping hole in attack. Jack Riewoldt, Mitch Morton and Jayden Post will play roles in trying to even the spread of goals in the future.
Hardwick will also need to start planning to plug holes in defence for this year, and beyond.
The midfield looks settled, so long as it can stay fit and healthy.
But Angus Graham and Tyrone Vickery need to reinvent the club's ruck stocks, with some assistance from Troy Simmonds.
This season won't deliver what long-suffering Richmond fans want, but Hardwick will be hoping it will at least provide a platform for the future.
Can Dustin Martin make an immediate impact?
Without putting too much pressure on the Tigers' No.3 draft pick, there is no reason to think that he won't. He is solidly built, attacks the football fiercely, is highly driven and played senior football for Castlemaine two years ago. When asked last year which AFL player he feels he resembles, Martin chose Geelong's Joel Selwood, another product of the Bendigo region. If he is half as good as Selwood was in his first year, Tiger fans will be delirious.
Will it be Groundhog Day by Round 7?
Possibly, but the Tigers have to play with an eye on the future as much as the present. Richmond has won three games and drawn two in 18 matches in the first six rounds over the past three seasons. This year Richmond faces three 2009 finalists (Carlton, Bulldogs and Geelong) and has away fixtures against Sydney and Fremantle in the first six rounds. Regardless of the win-loss ratio by Round 7, Hardwick and his new team need to stick to the plan.
FANTASY PICK
Dustin Martin
We've heard plenty about the No.3 draft pick's tatts and his tough attitude, but he also has elite skills. Should get a chance to show them early.
INSTANT RECALL
2009 B&F - B.Deledio
GOALS NO.1 - M.Morton > 41
MARKS NO.1 - J. Riewoldt > 127
DISPOSALS NO.1 - B.Deledio > 533
Finished: 15th
