Damien Hardwick does it hard in first NAB Cup match * James Bresnehan, Launceston
* From: Herald Sun
* February 14, 2010 7:56PMHAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson was not surprised to see shades of the Hawks in Richmond's game-style in thier NAB Cup clash at Aurora Stadium.
Clarkson expected rival coach Damien Hardwick to take the tactics learned at Hawthorn to his new role at Punt Rd but, on the evidence of their opening display, the Tigers have a long way to go.
The Hawk boss was even more pleased his players were able to counter-punch with a run-and-stun game that left the Tigers helpless and delivered Hawthorn a 73-point win.
"No doubt Richmond will play a similar brand to what we've played over the past couple of years," Clarkson said.
"Damien was influential in setting up some of the Hawthorn structures and no doubt he'll take them to Richmond. You'll see similar styles."
Like Clarkson in his early years, Hardwick's approach is bound to develop.
"He'll have to change over time because he'll realise the personnel he's got can either play to the game plan really well or he'll have to make tweaks, so it will slowly change," he said.
"I remember my first few hitouts at Hawthorn. We played a very similar brand to Port Adelaide, the side I just left.
"Damien had a pretty tough night, but he'll get the troops back together and get them going pretty soon."
Hawthorn's run through the midfield and defensive pressure set up an avalanche of scoring opportunities and at the same time starved Richmond.
"Our guys placed enormous pressure on their ball carriers and that caused them to not get their game going to the fluency that they would have liked and that's a credit to our guys."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/damien-hardwick-does-it-hard-in-first-nab-cup-match/story-e6frf9if-1225830246681