Hardwick's post-match media conference / Hails mature win; Hopeful on Vickery

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Dimma's post-match presser ...

VIDEO:  http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2015-05-24/round-8-hardwick-postmatch

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Vickery escapes serious injury as Hardwick hails mature Tigers

Tom Wilson 
afl.com.au
May 24, 2015 9:46 PM

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has praised the maturity of his players after they exorcised the demons remaining from their horror 57-point elimination final loss to Port Adelaide last year.

However, the victory was soured by a knee injury to big man Ty Vickery, although the club believes he has escaped serious injury despite hobbling from the field with a sore knee in the second quarter.

"It was as mature a win as I have seen from the footy club," Hardwick said of the Tigers' 33-point win at Adelaide Oval.

"Port is a proud footy club and they were playing for a club legend (Kane Cornes).

"It was us against a wall for a while and I thought our leaders stood up when it mattered most."

Vickery appeared to wrench his right knee while falling in an attempted tackle and Hardwick bemoaned the interruption to the big forward's season after he had finally hit his straps.

"He'll have scans later in the week," Hardwick said.

"As far as we know he's avoided serious damage - probably looks like a cartilage issue.

"It's disappointing because he's form had been pretty solid last week and he started off pretty well today."

Hardwick was thrilled with the support offered by midfielders Brandon Ellis and Shaun Grigg for Brett Deledio, who was best afield backing up his game against Collingwood in round seven.

"To back up that performance shows that he (Deledio) is a quality AFL player," Hardwick said.

"Probably doesn't get enough plaudits from the media or his coach."

Defenders Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes and Jake Batchelor all came in for praise from the coach, despite Richmond conceding 10 more inside 50s than Port At the other end, Hardwick was thrilled with Jack Riewoldt's good form after he bagged another four goals without a miss, taking his season tally to 20.

"I thought he was terrific," Hardwick said..

"He's been really solid in his contested work, he's hitting the scoreboard when it matters most and he's playing a really good role for us."

A season-defining fortnight could lie ahead for the Tigers with games against Essendon at the MCG and Fremantle at Domain Stadium before the bye. After two straight wins, their confidence is building and their season is back on track at 4-4.

"We've been really strong at not riding the emotional rollercoaster," Hardwick said.

"This season has been incredibly even, any side on any day can beat another."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-24/vickery-escapes-serious-injury-as-hardwick-hails-mature-tigers

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Damien Hardwick says the win over Port Adelaide was Richmond’s most complete performance in his time as coach

Richard Earle
Herald-Sun
May 24, 2015 9:41PM


EMBOLDENED Richmond boss Damien Hardwick has swooped on the folly of riding AFL’s “rollercoaster” weeks after club and coach were prematurely written off as 2015 road kill.

Hardwick lauded the most complete effort of his five year reign with Richmond prevailing by 33 points despite encountering a wounded Port side wanting to send 300-game champion Kane Cornes off in style at Adelaide Oval.

“It was as mature a win as I have seen from our footy club. Port are a proud footy club and been disappointed after their loss to Brisbane and playing for a club legend in Kane Cornes,” noted Hardwick after the Tigers jumped into the eight with consecutive victories.

“Our guys absorbed a lot.”

Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale was forced to declare ‘full’ board support for Hardwick after the club’s ANZAC round loss to Melbourne. However the Demons upset Western Bulldogs yesterday and the Tigers’ triumph against Port illustrated the knife edge nature of this year’s competition.

“I think our leaders were very capable of maintaining consistency which is something we have been very strong on as a footy club, not riding the emotional rollercoasters,” said Hardwick with the Tigers now 4-4 this campaign.

“People have to realise this season is incredibly even. Consistency of performance is something we are craving.”

Hardwick sees an evolution in Richmond with second tier players including “terrific” Brandon Ellis 30 touches and ‘wonderful’ clearance king Shaun Grigg stepping up.

However Hardwick noted it was Brett Deledio and Jack Riewoldt who proved matchwinners with Trent Cotchin blanketed by retiring Cornes.

The Tigers struggled during Deledio’s calf injury absence but have been decidedly composed and confident on the elite midfielder’s return with victories against Collingwood and Port.

“He was outstanding, played a great game last week to help us get over the line and to back up that performance shows why he is a quality AFL player. He probably doesn’t enough plaudits from the media or his coach,” said Hardwick of Deledio with 28 touches and 15 contested possessions.

Returning from a back strain, Port full back Alipate Carlile was always going to face a tough match up on Riewoldt. The Tigers spearhead slotted four goals for a season tally of 24 while proving a presence at ground level with 16 touches.

“I thought he was terrific. He has had a pretty good year, Jack, kicked 14 goals straight after having the yips. He was solid and he keeps winning the ball, contests and more importantly hitting the scoreboard when it matters most,” said Hardwick.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-says-the-win-over-port-adelaide-was-richmonds-most-complete-performance-in-his-time-as-coach/story-fndv8t7m-1227367573937