‘They’re all very sensitive to criticism’Riley Beveridge
FOX SPORTS
26 July 2016FORMER Richmond coach Robert Walls has slammed the club’s leaders, claiming they are too sensitive to criticism.
While many expected the Tigers to make the leap into premiership contention this season, they have instead endured a difficult campaign and will almost certainly miss finals.
Damien Hardwick’s side lost their 10th match of the year on Sunday, suffering a 70-point hammering at the hands of Hawthorn at the MCG.
They are now four games outside the eight with just five matches remaining, with Walls suggesting the bulk of the blame should lie at the feet of the side’s leadership group.
“Those players, we can all say that they’re quality players, but I think they get too much exposure at Richmond,” Walls told Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“I don’t think their B-Grade players get a look in at all.
“And I also think they’re all very sensitive to criticism. I don’t think they’re good leaders.”
Walls coached Richmond between 1996 and 1997, saying there was a fear within everyone at the club during that time that their job was at risk.
“If you go back a long way, they were ruthless in the way they culled coaches,” Walls said.
“I was only there for a short while and there was a genuine insecurity at all levels of that football club, because they knew the axe could fall at any time.
“That’s not happening anymore. They’ve gone past that, which is really good. Terry Wallace got a good stretch, so did Danny Frawley and Damien Hardwick has been given a terrific run.”
Hardwick has been at the helm of Richmond for almost seven seasons, with Walls questioning the decision to extend his contract until the end of 2017.
“Why they extended his contract, I’ll never know, but that’s what clubs do nowadays,” Walls said.
“Bottom line is, from watching them play, their senior five players get talked up a lot. But Trent Cotchin can get covered and Dustin Martin spends a lot of time in the back half.
“Jack Riewoldt’s game has fallen away and he spends more time on the wing than near the goals. As an opposition coach, you’d love to see Jack playing near the back-flank.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/former-richmond-coach-robert-walls-slams-clubs-leaders-saying-they-are-sensitive-to-criticism/news-story/9808a39f638a21d20d32880979fa82ca
