Dimma's aftermatch media conference / Importance of good start not lost on Dimma

[one-eyed]

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick was naturally relieved about the result.

"I had faith in the boys that they'd come out with the desired result, but there were a couple of stages there where they were just getting forward of the ball," he said post-match. "We got belted in contested ball in the last quarter and they controlled the game. We were fortunate enough to come out with the result, which was pleasing."

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-03-28/tigers-in-a-thriller


Importance of good start not lost on Hardwick
By Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
11:00pm AEDT Thursday, March 28, 2013


RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has challenged his team to take advantage of its first round one win since 2008, after holding on against a Carlton side that wouldn't give up. 

The Tigers prevailed in a thriller at the MCG and broke a nine-game losing streak against the Blues on Thursday night, but not without some nervous moments.

Hardwick said he had faith his players would hold on as a 42-point lead was whittled away, as the rampaging Blues kicked eight of the last 10 goals to cut the final margin to just five points. 

It was the Tigers' first win in their season opener since Hardwick took over for the 2010 season and he didn't want to see it go to waste.

"You've got to take advantage of it," Hardwick said on Thursday night.

"There's no doubt early wins are important to get your season up and going, we spoke about that.

"They can enjoy the win tonight, but we've got St Kilda in seven days' time as of tomorrow. We've certainly got an opportunity to get some wins."

Hardwick said he was disappointed "to a degree" that Richmond had let Carlton back into the game, with his team "unable to control the ball at any stage" in the frantic final quarter.

"There's no doubt I reckon there were stages where we controlled the game and probably should have been a lot further ahead on the scoreboard," he said.

"Carlton are a very good side and they've got an outstanding list. They just don't give up and Mick Malthouse sides don't - we just had to control the ball.

“Our guys knew what to do, but we just couldn't get the run in our players. We had a number of players cramping, as did Carlton."

Hardwick praised key forward Jack Riewoldt, who finished with 0.4 but still played "one of the best games he's played in 12 months".

"He played a pretty significant role tonight, Jack, by dragging a couple of their defenders up the ground," Hardwick said.

"I thought he was outstanding. It allowed Ty (Vickery) and Luke McGuane to get down deep, which was great … he won a lot of crucial contests."

The coach was also pleased with midfielder Brett Deledio, who kicked two brilliant running goals from beyond 50m.

The vice-captain was one of the most influential players on the ground despite having a modest 17 disposals. 

"I thought he was a big game player; when his touches were there they counted," Hardwick said.

"Brett's come on enormously with his leadership. He wants to lead and it's showing in his footy now, which is really important."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-03-28/damien-hardwick-postmatch

[one-eyed]

Hardwick pleased with 'important' early win

   Emma Quayle
    The Age
    March 28, 2013 - 11:57PM

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has told his players they have the chance to build some rare early-season momentum, after the Tigers held off Carlton to win their first round match by five points.

The Blues kicked five goals in the final quarter after trailing by 36 points at the final break, and would have won had Matthew Kreuzer and Chris Yarran not missed shots in the last three minutes.

Instead, the Tigers scrounged their first round-one win in Hardwick's time as coach, and their first since 2008.

"It's good. You've got to take advantage of it. There's no doubt early wins are really important to get our season up and running and we spoke about that," said Hardwick, who was confident his players would find a way to win.

"Our guys knew what to do but we just couldn't quite get the run in our players to get up, we had a number of players cramping, as did Carlton. It's amazing - round one games, they do open up late.

"There's always been a trend I think, the amount of goals that happen late in games and probably to a degee our players went a little bit defensive in their attacking mindset, which cooled our run a little bit as well.

"There's no doubt I reckon at stages we controlled the game and probably should have been a lot more ahead on the scoreboard. But Carlton are a very good side. They've got an outstanding list, some really high quality players and they just don't give up. Mick Malthouse sides don't, that's what they do.

"So for us to come away with the win tonight was a really good result for our footy club. We've got a long way to go, we understand that, but we haven't won a round one encounter since I've been here and I don't know when the last time was, but it was a good result."

Hardwick praised Brett Deledio's ability to feature in the game's "big time" moments and was pleased the performance of Ty Vickery, who after having shoulder surgery late last year took nine marks and kicked three first half-goals that helped the Tigers break away.

"Ever since he went down last year we knew how important he was to our side. He moves well for a big man, he's only 22 years of age, he's only going to get better. He's going to be a long term player for us," said the coach, who was also pleased with the part Jack Riewoldt played in dragging Michael Jamison and other Carlton players away from goal to open space for his teammates.

"He played a pretty significant role, Jack tonight, by dragging a couple of their defenders up the ground. I thought he was outstanding. It allowed Ty and Luke McGuane to get down deep which was great and I think it's one of the best games he's played for 12 months," Hardwick said.

"He played team-first footy and we can be really harsh on him at times but he was outstanding tonight, won a lot of crucial contests, gave Ty and Luke McGuane some room to move and we were really pleased with the way he played."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/hardwick-pleased-with-important-early-win-20130328-2gxrj.html#ixzz2OrPoRRz4

[Ruanaidh]

Said something really stupid in the Presser disparaging Nahas 'playing-on' after Jack was awarded a free kick at half-back. Nahas's 'play-on' gained us 70 metres, clearing the Carlton 'press' and leading to McGuanes tackle that saved the game for us. If he hadn't taken advantage the ball would have been sent back to Jack, within the Carlton press??????? He also looks panic-stricken in the close games.......but so was I at the time

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Said something really stupid in the Presser disparaging Nahas 'playing-on' after Jack was awarded a free kick at half-back. Nahas's 'play-on' gained us 70 metres, clearing the Carlton 'press' and leading to McGuanes tackle that saved the game for us. If he hadn't taken advantage the ball would have been sent back to Jack, within the Carlton press??????? He also looks panic-stricken in the close games.......but so was I at the time

Just shows he is still learning the caper. People forget that not only will the team improve with more games under the belt, but so will Dimma!

[Ruanaidh]

Said something really stupid in the Presser disparaging Nahas 'playing-on' after Jack was awarded a free kick at half-back. Nahas's 'play-on' gained us 70 metres, clearing the Carlton 'press' and leading to McGuanes tackle that saved the game for us. If he hadn't taken advantage the ball would have been sent back to Jack, within the Carlton press??????? He also looks panic-stricken in the close games.......but so was I at the time

Just shows he is still learning the caper. People forget that not only will the team improve with more games under the belt, but so will Dimma!

That's true......and we also have our not-so-secret weapon in Chocco who was on the boundary at that crucial time. I expect he will have a sobering influence in times of high stress.