Hardwick's post-match media conference / 'Second-tier' Tigers get the job done

[one-eyed]

Dimma's post-match presser:

VIDEO: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2017-04-16/round-4-hardwick-postmatch

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'Second-tier' Tigers get the job done for Dimma

AFL.com.au
16 April 2017

RICHMOND may be 4-0 for the first time since 1995, but coach Damien Hardwick is not entirely happy with his team's performance.

The Tigers were far from convincing in their 52-point victory over the Brisbane Lions, interspersing long periods of errors with flashes of brilliance.

Hardwick thought it was only an "OK-type performance", but after a comparatively quiet game from gun Dustin Martin (16 disposals), it was a promising sign that the team did not have to depend on their stars.

"If you said to me yesterday we would win by 50-odd points I'd take it, but we probably played in spits and spurts," Hardwick said.

"We looked good at stages and then we were inconsistent at stages. We're happy with the win, don't get me wrong, but we're looking to play a little better than that next week."

"The great thing I love as a coach is that we don't rely on – probably as we did in years previous – the same players getting kicks and kicking goals.

"I don't like the term 'second-tier' but they're very important players for us to get consistently better, so I'm really happy with those guys and how they've gone about it."

The Tigers' young forwards put in another promising performance, with Jason Castagna (four goals, 16 disposals), Daniel Rioli (two goals) and Daniel Butler (one goal and 14 touches) causing havoc inside 50.

Hardwick said he's happy with the new-look forward line's efforts after the first month, with leader Jack Riewoldt also having his best game for the year with four goals.

"They're going to be inconsistent at times, but we're pleased as a package [that] they're hitting the scoreboard.

"But more importantly, defensively they're causing the opposition an enormous amount of grief."

Richmond sits second on the ladder with one game remaining for the round, and now turns its attention to Melbourne, a bogey team in recent times.

The Tigers can sometimes be their own worst enemy with their disposal and decision-making, an issue Hardwick is keen not to repeat against the Demons.

"I think on tonight's performance we saw when we play our best we're very dangerous, but we can also hurt ourselves at various stages.

"We're four rounds into a long season. We just need to keep our eye on the ball and we haven't beaten Melbourne for the last three years, so that'll certainly be my focus."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-16/secondtier-tigers-get-the-job-done-for-dimma

[one-eyed]

Success tasting sweet for Damien Hardwick and his Tigers after their best start to a season since 1995

Andrew Stafford
The Age
April 17, 2017

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick made a little bit of history with his group against the Brisbane Lions, with his team notching four wins to open a season for the first time since 1995.

But he was the last person to be getting carried away despite the comprehensive 52-point win at the Gabba.

"Outside the footy club, things will be beaten up, but the reality is we're four rounds into a long season, so we've just to make sure we keep our eye on the ball," he said.

He pointed to his side's next assignment against Melbourne, who the Tigers have struggled against in recent years. "I think we haven't beaten them for the last three years [and] they'll be smarting after a loss on the weekend, so there will be two teams going hammer and tongs."

Still, Hardwick was pleased with his side's even performance overall, though was critical of patches within the game where their pressure slipped.

"If you'd said to me at the start of the game we'd win by 50-odd points, you'd take it, but we probably played in spits and spurts I thought, tonight.

"We looked good at stages then probably a little bit inconsistent at stages. We're happy with the win, don't get me wrong, but we're looking to play a little bit better than that next week.

"Parts of our game we were probably a little bit unhappy with tonight, but the positive being we're four-zip, which is a good result."

The win was achieved without many standout players, notably Dustin Martin who was beaten by Mitch Robinson.

"The thing I love as a coach is we don't rely on, as in years previous, the same old players getting kicks and kicking goals.

"It's great to see some of those – I don't like the term second tier, but they're very important players for us to consistently get better, so I'm really happy with those guys and how they've gone about it.

"I thought Dion [Prestia] stepped up to fill that void a little bit, he had 20-odd touches, seven tackles and looked really clean around the scrimmages, and those sort of players are important to us, because we can't consistently rely on the same guys to win us games week in and week out."

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/success-tasting-sweet-for-damian-hardwick-and-his-tigers-after-their-best-start-to-a-season-since-1995-20170416-gvlwbn.html

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Outside the footy club, things will be beaten up, but the reality is we're four rounds into a long season, so we've just to make sure we keep our eye on the ball," he said.


stuffn genius.
Vince Lombardi vibe.