Hardwick's press conference June 20 / Dimma doesn't doubt Williams' devotion

[one-eyed]

Dimma doesn't doubt Williams' devotion to Tiger cause
By Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
2:48pm AEST Thursday, June 20, 2013


RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says he will back Mark Williams to perform to his utmost as the club's development manager while he is linked to the Melbourne coaching vacancy.

A premiership coach with Port Adelaide in 2004, Williams is the early favourite for the Melbourne job following Monday's sacking of Mark Neeld.

The 54-year-old, who coached the Power for 11 years before stepping down in 2010, crossed to Richmond in September last year after serving as Kevin Sheedy's senior assistant at GWS for two seasons.       

Hardwick said he was well aware of Williams' qualities and the possibility he could be lost to the Tigers, who have spoken highly of his influence on the club's young players, particularly midfielder Dustin Martin.

"It's just one of those things that happens at this time of year when a coach goes down," Hardwick said on Thursday.

"People work to their utmost in their current job and 'Choco' is no different.

"Whatever happens over at Melbourne happens. We just worry about what we can control in these four walls.

"He'll work incredibly hard doing what he does, and that's helping develop our kids.

"We've got no concerns."

Richmond faces the prospect of losing Williams and club legend Wayne Campbell, who is head of leadership development and opposition analyst.

Campbell, who was last week inducted into the club's Hall of Fame, has been linked to the Western Bulldogs' football manager job, which was vacated by James Fantasia, who crossed to Hawthorn in April.

"I've got some great coaches on my team," Hardwick said.

"It's a credit to the organisation, (chief executive) Brendon Gale and the board, that we're starting to be in this situation, which we haven't been for some time."

Richmond faces the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night and Hardwick said his team was bracing for a fierce clearances and contested ball battle.

Changes are unlikely to the team that beat Adelaide by 38 points, with David Astbury seemingly doing enough to hold his spot as a late replacement for Jake Batchelor.

Hardwick said small forward Robin Nahas, who played his fifth and last game this season in round nine, would have to wait for his opportunity, despite strong VFL form.

"At the moment he's basically competing with Shane Edwards and Jake King for a spot and we probably think those two guys have got him at the moment," Hardwick said.

"The competition has definitely increased, [but] Robin to his credit is playing some reasonable football.

"He's just got to wait for his opportunity and I've got no doubt he'll take it.

"He's certainly got some things in his game that we really like. He's a noted goalkicker."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-06-20/choco-a-tiger-hardwick

[one-eyed]

Tigers expect tight AFL tussle with 'Dogs
Melissa Woods
AAP
June 20, 2013, 1:54 pm

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is expecting a much sterner contest from the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night than their round-three AFL demolition job.

The Tigers swept aside the Bulldogs then by 67 points but, ahead of their Etihad Stadium clash, Hardwick said the Bulldogs were playing much better football.

"You've only got to look at their last month," he said.

"Although they had the bye in there, they've won two games; had a disappointing half against Collingwood but then, in the second half, beat them on the scoreboard.

"The thing that we certainly know is coming is that contested ball, they're very good, their ability to win clearances is very good. So we need to make sure we combat them in those two areas."

He pointed to young midfielder Tom Liberatore and skipper Matthew Boyd as two Bulldogs who excel in those departments.

Hardwick said the seventh-placed Tigers couldn't afford to take the Bulldogs lightly just because they sat 14th on the ladder.

"The ladder positions are up for grabs every week and we've just got to worry about what we can control and that's playing good, solid football for four quarters.

"The last few weeks have been a lot better but we certainly think we've got scope for improvement."

Hardwick said he hadn't spoken to his assistant, Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership coach Mark Williams, about his front-runner status for the senior coaching job at Melbourne.

"You'll have to ask Choco that question. I'm not his mother - I don't really know," Hardwick said.

"Whatever happens over at Melbourne happens ... he'll keep working incredibly hard at helping develop our kids."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/afl/17681550/tigers-expect-tight-afl-tussle-with-dogs/

[Ruanaidh]

Not happy at all if we lose Cambo and Williams.....I hope the powers that be are doing all they can to keep them at Tigerland.