Hardwick's press conference 1-6-17/ Dimma backs Nank's tank & Tiger backline

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Dimma's presser today:

VIDEO: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2017-06-01/hardwick-previews-north-melbourne

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Has 'Nank' got the tank to beat Goldstein?

afl.com.au
1 June 2017

RICHMOND ruckman Toby Nankervis could be the key to victory in Saturday night's clash against North Melbourne, with coach Damien Hardwick putting a premium on the coalface battle.

Nankervis has been one of the recruits of the year since crossing from Sydney, but he faces a challenge against All Australian big man Todd Goldstein at Etihad Stadium.   

The Tigers have won the clearance battle once in the past five games (against Fremantle), and have come out in front in contested ball only once (against Greater Western Sydney).

Hardwick said getting on top in the midfield would be the key to notching back-to-back wins, with Nankervis particularly important to the Tigers' chances.

"Goldstein played 97 per cent game time last week in the ruck, he might have had one rotation, so it's going to be a big job for 'Nank'," the coach said.

"He mightn't get him in the hit-outs, but we're really confident in 'Nank' at ground level.

"It's going to be another good contest for him. He's held his head up high in the first 10 rounds and we're looking for that to continue.

"We've got to make sure we control that inside contest as best we can and then manage the outside of the contest also."

Nankervis ranks No.20 in the AFL for hit-outs (26.4), but among that ground of ruckmen he ranks No.6 for clearances (3.8 ), No.5 for tackles (4.0) and No.5 for disposals (15.0).

Goldstein averages more hit-outs (33.2), but is shaded by Nankervis in clearances (2.9), tackles (3.1) and disposals (13.8 ).

North Melbourne has won its past two matches against the Tigers, including the 2015 elimination final, and seven of the past eight clashes between the teams.

Hardwick said history would have no bearing on Saturday night's game, with 11 changes to the Richmond team that faced the Kangaroos in 2016 and the 22 that beat Essendon in round 10.   

"We're a different side this year and they're a different side to what they were last year as well," the coach said. 

"The run of games really has no bearing on this result.

"We're really happy with the way we're playing and the template we're bringing to the game as well."

Asked how he felt about the latest round of speculation on Dustin Martin's future, which included a reported offer from Essendon of $1.6 million a year, Hardwick said: "It makes me wish I was Dusty I suppose. It'd be nice".

"It's the age that we're in. The figures that get bandied around, nobody's anymore aware than us," the coach said.

"Those figures are easy to say. Whether they're true or not, I don't know. I know it's easy for an SEN commentator to say … but there's no foundation. I'm not too worried about it."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-06-01/has-nank-got-the-tank-to-beat-goldstein

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Richmond Tigers defenders up for clash with North Melbourne

The Age
1 June 2017

North Melbourne in general, and Jarrad Waite in particular, have caused Richmond no end of problems in recent years.

The Kangaroos have won seven of the past eight matches between the two teams, with the sole Tigers' success coming when North Melbourne rested 12 players heading into the 2015 finals.

The enigmatic Waite has also historically saved many of his best performances for games against Richmond, whether wearing the navy blue of Carlton or the royal blue and white stripes.

But with a defence led by superstar Alex Rance in rare form, conceding just 81 points per game this year, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick is confident he has the personnel to get the job done on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.

"We're really happy with Dave Astbury, Dylan Grimes and Alex Rance and they will take those guys (Waite and Ben Brown) and we back those guys in to beat their quality opponents," Hardwick said on Thursday.

"We're pretty happy with our backs at the moment; they're playing some good footy and we're reasonably confident they will be able to take care of those guys."

Rance has been rated as the best defender in the AFL and Hardwick said he would be at home amongst a group of the all-time best fullbacks.

"I wouldn't have seen many better one-on-one defenders and then have the ability to use the ball and start counter-attack so he's certainly up there with those guys" Hardwick said.

"He's 27, three-time All Australian, he's playing some really good footy and his best footy is probably still ahead of him.

"We're very lucky to have him."

Hardwick said Rance had come a long way since making his AFL debut in 2009.

"I often joke to him that in my first year I was prepared to trade him for a six pack of Coronas at one stage," Hardwick said.

"He has worked really hard and has been working on his balance and footwork with (assistant coach) Justin Leppitsch and has taken his game to the next level."

Fifth-placed Richmond snapped a four-game losing streak with last weekend's triumph over Essendon at the MCG, while the 13th-ranked Kangaroos have won four of their past five matches

"We are different sides this year so the run of games really has no bearing on this result," said Hardwick.

"We're really happy with the way we're playing and the template we are bringing to the game.

"We're hoping for a different outcome and we know if we play our best footy we will certainly give ourselves a chance to win."

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-tigers-defenders-up-for-clash-with-north-melbourne-20170601-gwi0tx.html

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More from Dimma

Looking ahead to Saturday night’s game against North Melbourne, Hardwick said the Tigers must take their chances in front of goal.

The Tigers had 29 more inside 50s than Essendon last week yet scored just one more goal.

Hardwick said fixing that would be a focus at training this week and beyond.

“We got to take our chances when we go forward,” Hardwick said at Punt Rd.

“We probably didn’t do that as well as we would have liked last week, something we spoke about to our players and we’ll be training over the course of this week and the weeks going forward because we’re probably not making the most of our chances inside 50 at the moment.”

The Tigers have lost seven of the past eight games against North Melbourne and Hardwick is wary of the Kangaroos scoring power.
Dustin Martin’s longer-term future remains in limbo. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

But that record stands for nothing on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.

“Each game is different obviously, we’re a different side this year, they’re a different side compared to what they were last year as well,” Hardwick said.

“The bearing of the run of games really has no bearing on this result, we’re happy with the way we’re playing, the template we’re bringing to the game as well so we’re hoping for a different outcome this time.

“We know if we play our best footy we certainly give ourselves a chance to win.”

The Kangaroos blitzed Carlton last week, booting seven goals to two in the first quarter to set up the hard-fought victory.

“I think the thing with North (is) at some stage they’re going to get a run on, that’s the way they play,” Hardwick said.

“They’re a good counterattacking side and they are going to get a run on of goals, we just got to accept that, understand when that happens we try and negate that as best we can and try and deflect the scoreboard damage as best we can.”

The Tigers could be tempted to recall Ben Lennon to provide a marking target inside 50.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/damien-hardwick-says-no-foundation-to-rumour-of-massive-16-million-offer-for-dustin-martin/news-story/67818339dbced83e0c8504ffa4784296