Hardwick tough, but not too tough: Riewoldtrichmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen | Tue 12 January, 2010RICHMOND players have already seen a mean streak in new coach Damien Hardwick at pre-season training but he is not as tough as many players were expecting.
Key Tiger forward Jack Riewoldt has moved to dent the tough man persona that is starting to build up around Hardwick.
"He's not as hard as everyone thought he was going to be," Riewoldt told richmondfc.com.au after Tuesday training at Punt Rd. "But he has got that mean streak about him that we've seen a bit of, that intensity."
There's a lot down at Richmond that's new in 2010 - not just a new coach, but a mostly new coaching staff and - with the departure of club legend Matthew Richardson - a new post-Richo era.
The Tigers snapped up Danny Daly - who supported the Tigers in his younger years - from North Melbourne to be the forward coach, Brendon Lade (ruck and midfield) from Port Adelaide and Justin Leppitsch (backline) from the Lions to revamp their coaching panel.
"We've got a young coaching staff and a new vibrant game plan, which we're all looking forward to putting into place, hopefully in round one," Riewoldt said.
"Danny's going really well, he's really good - he's obviously learning the game-plan just as we are at the moment.
"It's good to have a new face and someone with a few new ideas to come to the club to show us how to run the forward line this year."
Richardson played just six games in 2009 before his troublesome hamstring tendon ended his season and, ultimately, his career.
But Riewoldt said the departure of the larger-than-life figure would open the door for others, including himself.
"We're looking at it as a positive - it's sad to see such a great player and a champion of the club go, but on the other hand, we've got a lot of young players coming through and if they're going to step up, this is their chance.
"Last year was a big stepping stone for me - obviously Richo only played the six games at the start of the year, and after that I felt that it was my role to stand up as the key target in the forward line.
"But there's Mitch Morton as well, and young Dave Astbury is coming through, and Jayden Post is there as well, so we've got a lot of young talls that can play, and hopefully we can fill that void.
"Jayden is moving alright - he's got a lot to learn, as we all do, with this new game plan, but he's fit and well and looking good on the track."
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