Richmond coach Terry Wallace won't walk
Zac Milbank | May 18, 2009
SHATTERED Richmond coach Terry Wallace will tell the Tigers' board tomorrow night that he refuses to "give it away".
Despite his Tigers - who led by nine points 25 minutes into the final term - losing to Port Adelaide by three points at AAMI Stadium yesterday, Wallace reaffirmed his desire to see out the final year of his contract.
"I've gone public and said that's where I stand," Wallace said last night.
"I don't see any sign of players giving it away, so nor should I."
Wallace -- who said the heartbreaking loss "cut deep" - revealed he had invited himself to tomorrow's board meeting at Punt Rd to hose down any speculation emanating from outside the club.
"I invited myself along to it," Wallace said.
"It's just a board meeting and I thought with the circumstances of the season it was probably pertinent that the board members heard from me about my state of mind, where I'm at and what messages are going to the coaching group and also to the playing group.
"If they (the board) are hearing that second and third-hand, or through a report, I don't know whether that's the same as hearing it personally.
"It was my initiative, I just thought the timing was right to have a chat and let them know where things are at."
A clearly drained Wallace paid tribute to his players' "spirit levels", particularly during a gutsy third term in which the Tigers produced seven goals to transform a 31-point deficit into a four-point lead at the final change.
"You have your highs and your lows in this game and this one was one which was very cutting," Wallace said.
"Five goals behind, playing on the fourth team's home ground, it's a long way back in wet conditions but I thought our spirit levels were outstanding. They just willed themselves to come over, prove a few points and show they were desperate to keep the season alive.
"(But) the reality of it is you pick yourself up and you get yourself ready for another encounter."
Richmond looked to have its second win of the year in the bag until Warren Tredrea goaled to steal the win with less than a minute left.
Upgraded rookie Robin Nahas, who thrived on the slippery conditions and booted five goals from eight kicks, brought a smile to Wallace's face.
Asked if he preferred Nahas's goalkicking or tackling, Wallace said: "I like both.
"Usually the game starts with the tackles and finishes with the goals, it's not normally the other way around.
"If you're doing the right thing often enough the goals come at the end of the day and that's exactly why we brought him to the club.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25497748-19742,00.html
