Summary
* They replayed Cotch saying - "We really haven't discussed wins at this point of the year. We more want to develop our gameplan. Where that takes us. Whether it's 10 wins, 15 wins, who knows. I think we can develop a gameplan that will deliver on matchday and get some success out of that."
* Jacko said he can see the teachings of Hardwick developing and coming along well. Damien said it will take 6 months, 12 months or 2 years to get his structures and what he is developing. We've come along way since day 1 but we haven't been able to play many games and put it in practice. So it might take a few more but we are on the right track.
* Jacko agreed with Watson that with such a young squad and learning a new gameplan guys are still thinking about what they are doing and need to do rather than it just being instinctive as it should be. With young players you get both extremes out of them. Sometimes it's confidence and form while other times it's just that inate ability coming out. So you get a guy flashing in for a quarter and you're going we are on here and then disappears for a quarter. But you know over time that consistency will come and we'll be a better team for it.
* Dr Turf asked who helps with morale at Richmond given the past few years Jacko has been there has been tough?
We have had a few tough years that's fair to say but for some reason we've been able to stick fat over the last couple. It started with Kane Johnson a few years ago. He was very good at keeping a young group fairly positive. Chris Newman did the same with all that stuff off the field. I think it helps we've had a pretty young core group. They just love playing footy. So there's always a bright side you get on a Monday and they can work on the next thing. So as dour as it can get it is just a game and you've got to look at the next week. Round 22 is the worst one 'cause if you lose you've got a long wait but otherwise there's always another week in footy.
* Watson asked if the loss the other night had knocked the confidence around. He knows from experience a big loss like that can leave a big cloud over the team. How do you pick yourselves up after a loss like that?
Pretty much that same thing. Sunday, Monday the boys are pretty flat. But we just reiterated the fact we're on a long term plan here. And the other point is Hawthorn are going to be a good side. They had a bad year last year but they still have got all their talent and structures. The kind of side that was where we are 4 years ago. They are well structured and have all the talent and that talent is out on the park. Obviously they've had a really good preseason and he reckons they'll be a top 4 side this year. We had to compete against one of the better sides and he thinks in the end we started to come good. It took us by surprise early and we've just got to chip away.
* Martin is a great kid. He's a bit different and doesn't say a great deal all of the time but he really works hard. Askes a lot of questions and implements what he is told. He'll be a good player and some of the other young guy as well. Dave Gourdis has been around for a little while. He's be one of the quickest blokes in the AFL. Get him some AFL experience and you'll never know what kind of backman he'll become. And Dave Astbury took some good marks. So it was good all-round performance by some of those kids.
* Maher asked how elite is Cotchin going to be?
It's all the .... footy brain in that kid. If I could get a bit of that I'd be a much better player. He just has some kind of ability to find targets, hit targets and set up play. If we can get him on the track for a full year we'll be a much better side for it. He's a really hard worker as well. If he's out there we'll be very happy.
* We were genuinely flat when Richo retired. He had his reasons. I spoke to him when down in Tassie for a farewell dinner and I think he said he was playing 20/20 cricket and he went to take a catch out in the deep and realised his hamstring wasn't going to stand out to the rigours of a AFL preseason or season. He's pretty happy with his decision in the end. I'm sure he'd like to be out there playing with us but for us he was an icon around the club. He was always the guy to throw the gag in to lighten the mood and whatnot. He was true champion and I was glad to have played with him.
* Jacko said he's hammy is good. He'll be playing next week. I am just looking after me as I'm old (laughs). Dr Turf said you are now after all the older players left the club. Jacko said he is now the third longest at the club after Newy and Moore. It's very odd.
