Summary
KB :- Congratulations on the contract extension. What does it mean to you?
Hardwick :- It's probably just a great show of faith by the board. Not just specifically for me although it's nice but in general the football department and the way we are headed. We've done a fair amount of work but the work is also about to begin in ways. A great tick of approval for the footy dept. and how it's running at the moment.
Denham :- You lost your first 9 games in your new role (as senior coach). Did you ever doubt yourself or your long term future and mission?
The thing about about coaching is each loss is a bit soul destroying. We're all competitive beasts by nature. After every loss you certainly look at it than when you're winning. No doubt over time you look at the long term prospects and it makes it all clearer as to where you are at. You look at our playing group and our on and off development and by far we are a long way ahead of where we were 2-3 years ago. We started off 0-9 which seems an eternity away at this stage.
KB :- Parkin and Brereton said no doubt you've done a good job but questioned the timing of the signing given you had a year to go on your existing contract. Coaches are no different to anybody else. Although they are portrayed as having a tough exterior, they still have families and concerns for the future. Surely this gives you peace of mind and a mandate that you're on the right track?
It does. It certainly gives you the confidence to get things started again which is something we were very keen to do. My daughter said to me 'I hope you get the Tiger job; if you don't I think I'll stay a Tiger'. I didn't know whether to ground her or give her a cuddle (laughs). It was quite a funny one.
Denham :- When you started it must have been extremely difficult losing probably 1800-2000 games worth of experience - Bowden, Brown, Johnson, Richo, Pettifer, Pattison ??? and Raines. What was that like as you have to almost mold your own culture and team haven't you?
It was difficult but probably what needed to be done. Craig Cameron went in there before I arrived and took a big axe to the place. One thing is if you look at the history of clubs - Geelong, St Kilda and Hawthorn the most recent examples - of clubs that brought through a young group of players together. It was something we have done. The only difference is we went through a period of concessions to the new teams Gold Coast and GWS. So we entered it in a difficult time but full credit to Francis Jackson and his recruiting staff. Over the 3 years I've been there our recruiting has been very good. It's come about with a strict mandate of good character kids, physically strong and good kicks. It's taken a little bit of time but we are finally reeping the seeds of that recruiting policy and mandate.
Denham :- And your trades, they've been fantastic!
Yeah Blair Hartley is a guy we brought over from Port Adelaide. Highly regarded so it was a bit of a coup for us. To bring in the guys of the calibre of Grigg, Houli, Ivan Maric, Steve Morris and Addam Maric. Guys that have slotted in very well into our footy club and contributed well at this stage.
KB :- It's reported you're bringing Miller and Maric off the rookie list and both are in contention for round 1?
Yeah both have put their hand up. Both solid performers. Brad's probably been our marquee forward this preseason and presents well. Addam has been a breath of fresh air. His ability has never been questioned but his work ethic was one area people had question marks over. Some players need that wake up call and no doubt that's happened for Addam. The pressure acts up forward is one area we've focused on as his offensive capabilities have never been doubted.
Denham :- It's probably recognised that you have a magnificent relationship with the players but you are also just so popular with the Tiger fans. What's that all about? Is it something you've worked on? I've never known a more popular coach who hasn't played finals footy for a long time Dimma. Is it your personality or good looks - what is it?
Ask me the same question if we're 0-5 (laughs). One thing the Club, Benny Gale, Gary March and the Board has been strong on is be honest and upfront about what we want to achieve which is sustained success for our footy club. We have 42,000 members up to this stage who are starting to believe that what we're saying we are starting to deliver. It's a credit to Benny Gale, Gary and the Board that we're all on the same page. They (supporters) are seeing some upward trends so are starting the believe the journey we are on.
KB :- They will believe even more if you sign Brett Deledio.
(laughs) Look Brett is obviously a quality player. We think he will a Tiger for life. It shouldn't be too far away so we'll just hold off and wait on that one.
KB :- Have you spoken to him about it and his role at the Tiges in the upcoming years?
KB, I give him a cuddle every day. I tell him how much I love him and how much I want him in Tiger colours. He knows that and he knows how important he is to our footy club. He's a player who has already won two Jack Dyer medals. For him to become an elite player - he will be a Tiger legend one day which is good for Brett and also the Richmond footy club going forward.
KB :- There's been lots of talk about the recruiting indigenous players. I know the Tigers lost a couple in Relton Roberts, Troy Taylor and also Richard Tambling to Adelaide. What's your thoughts about it and are the Tigers one of the best clubs in position to recruit indigenous players from remote areas with the indigenous centre?
No doubt! We've got a great resource now and Belinda who works with the indigenous institute certainly helps us in that area. We brought down a boy in Gibson Turner from Alice Springs. There's no doubt we are still learning. It's like every AFL club out there, there's no right or wrong answer. It's a bit like on-the-job training. Each kid is different much like every recruit we bring in regardless of race, creed, etc... It's a lot harder these to acclimatise to AFL. It's a very hard game. So we are learning not just off indigenous boys but off everyone who comes in. Having said that our institute is a great help with its resources and we use them whenever we can.
KB :- Are they harder to handle and look after? Because there's a disturbing report in the Age today about one AFL club having said they'll only recruit an indigenous player with a white parent. Can you believe that?
I can't believe that. I'm not saying the Age journo isn't telling the truth, it's just that I find it hard to believe. Take Gibson for instance. They're kids who you enjoy being around. The community as a whole is vibrant. As soon as you see Gibson walk around the rooms you see the smile on the faces of the other players.
Denham :- Griffiths has had a rotten couple of years with injury. Recruited as a key forward, I notice you're playing in the VFL in defence. What's his progress and do you want him to play as a key defender?
We were lacking bigger bodied guys in defence. Cam Mooney said an important thing last night - if you want to be a really good forward you need to play back in defence at some stage. I'm going to take that up with Jack Riewoldt and see how he takes playing at CHB tomorrow. I pretty much know his reaction (laughs). With Griffs it's a real learning process for him. He's a big-bodied guy and we've got to improve his competitiveness. We think we've got a player. You've got to remember he's only 20 years of age and he'll be a long-term player for us.
KB :- Sports scientists have been in the news. Jumping up and down. We've heard comments from Malthouse, Anderson and Demetriou. Are sports scientists overtaking the game?
No I don't think so. I think every club is a little bit different. Matt Hornsby is our fitness coordinator and he does a terrific job. We certainly have robust discussions there's no doubt as from a football perspective I will push the boundaries whereas from a physical perspective Matt will be trying to pull them back. Look it is a fine line but robust discussion is something that we love and we love a challenge. Certain clubs are a little bit different in their structure and we're probably one that is a little bit more traditional.
KB :- Brad Scott said during the week the biggest threat to the game is the threat of gambling. Do you agree with that?
I think it's a trend we should probably keep an eye on no doubt. Guys with high disposal income and time on their hands, it's probably something we can look at. I know with our guys on their day off it's mandated that they have to have some form of study to undertake. It got to one stage last year where Jack Riewoldt dropped out of one of his courses and we sat him down and made him do a 1000 word essay on why life and work balance was really important. Jack left my office and Danny Daly walked back in said Jack's given me this assignment to do so he could play that week (laughs). Footy is such a demanding and all-encompassing sport that it's important that players have something else in their life. We've just got to keep the guys as busy as possible.
KB :- Mick Malthouse said you should be coaching from the coaches box. KB said he always liked coaching from the coaches box but you Dimma like a lot of younger coaches these days coach from the boundary. Are we going to see you in the coaches box this year or are you going to remain on the boundary?
It's probably a bit different. The reason I've been down at the bench at times is because we have a developmental group. As such it's a lot easier to coach them from the bench than over the phone. It's easier to explain things to them. One thing I will say about it is that with the NAB Cup games you've got 3-4 young players and you can teach them a hell of a lot easier off the bench. As a group experience I'll be more up in the box this year but from a developmental point of view it's pretty naive to say you have to coach from the box all the time. We're the only sport in the world that does it. A lot of sports coach from the sidelines so you need to try these things and see how they go.
KB :- The Tiger membership is on a healthy rise and the contract extension will only give supporters greater confidence. I've been very conservative with my Richmond to win by 108 points in round 1 prediction and bump it up to 120 points after speaking to you today.
Thanks KB (laughs)
Denham :- It may be 120 points against GWS in Canberra tomorrow. I'm looking forward to your thoughts of the new team Damien.
We're looking forward to the challenge and it should be a good game.
