McQualter's first post-match presser:
WATCH HERE: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1345189/round-11-mcqualter-post-match---------------------------------------------
How Tigers tried to honour 'Dimma'By Sarah Black
afl.com.au
28 May 2023INTERIM Richmond coach Andrew McQualter referenced the departure of Damien Hardwick in his pre-match address before the side took on Yartapuulti on Sunday.
McQualter said he would focus on the week-to-week routine of the season, rather than consider his own possible application for the permanent role.
He praised his side's "never-give-up attitude" despite struggling to clear the ball out of defence in the last term, resulting in a 10-point loss.
"It was fun. I think if I do it for too long, I won't keep this thick, luscious hair that I've currently got, that might get challenged," McQualter said.
"It has been a tough week, an emotional week for the club. 'Dimma' (Hardwick) has been such an influence on so many people at the club's lives, and it was a challenging few days, no one saw it coming.
"I think once we got back to work on Wednesday, the leaders of our club were amazing and we understand the club has a purpose and we have to keep moving forward. We did that, we prepared for the game and the players were amazing.
"We spoke about it pre-match, we spoke about honouring 'Dimma' and what he's given the club for a long period of time. The players love him, so there's a reason why we did that, he's given so much to our club."
“I thought the guys fought really well tonight, though we didn’t play our best game of footy, but the fight they showed was huge ... That never-give-up attitude they showed was really evident.”
Hardwick had posted a photo on Twitter in club gear, beer in hand at 10am, which McQualter joked would have been his sole drink before nodding off.
McQualter added he loved the opportunity he’s been given at the helm.
“I’m just going to put my head down and just do what I have to do for the club right now, which is week to week prepare our players to play a game of footy, so that’s along with our assistant coaching group, so that’ll be my focus.”
https://www.afl.com.au/news/938123/how-tigers-tried-to-honour-dimma-what-keeps-ken-up-at-night
