Drops offs killing Tigers: Hardwick / aftergame media conference

[one-eyed]

Drops offs killing Tigers: Hardwick
richmondfc.com.au
By Murray Belkin
5:45 PM Sun 18 April, 2010


RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick was left to rue what might have been as Melbourne ran away with a 55-point win at the MCG.

The Tigers coach was pleased with the performance of his young side for three quarters, but a seven-goal-to-nil third term effectively ended any chance of the Tigers breaking their duck for season 2010.

“For three quarters we were okay, but in that third quarter we let ourselves down badly,” he said.

“If you take the third quarter out of the game, we lose by 11-points.”

“The thing we have to get better at - and it goes with an young inexperienced side - is that when that does happen you need to be able to stop the run on and that is something we need to address.”

Hardwick was quick to focus on the positives of the performance with the Richmond coach singling out the performance of defender Kelvin Moore, who was sensational across half-back.

“He was outstanding - it was the best game I’ve seen him play in my short time here,” he said.

“I thought he competed really hard and put his body on the line a number of times".

But with the Tigers line-up featuring 10 players who had played less than 20 games, Hardwick also saw reason for optimism especially after the performances of his debutants - Matt Dea, Troy Taylor and David Astbury.

The Tiger coach believes they have uncovered a gem in Astbury, with the key position forward kicking two goals in the first quarter and finishing with three for the match.

“I thought he was very good for a first year key position player,” he said.

“His leadership, his ability to demand the ball and tell other players where and when to go was outstanding.”

Hardwick laid down the challenge for the three first-gamers to back up their performance next weekend as the Tigers travel west to take on the high-flying Dockers next Sunday.

“We have some work to do with those boys - they have to build on those games. But from a Richmond football club point-of-view we are very happy with their performances today,” he said.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/92577/default.aspx

[Penelope]

wonder if what Hardwick is saying will sink in for some.... nah just sack 'im

[jackstar is back again]

wonder if what Hardwick is saying will sink in for some.... nah just sack 'im

Yep he was thrilled with the performances of the first gamers.
Dea didnt get a kick and played nearly the entire game.
Yep, Hardwick is following  well in Wallaces foot steps really,
How on earth could anyway say that about Dea
he gave Melbourne 3 goals in the first quarter and refused to kick for the entire game.,
Might further add that handballing backwards shouldnt be a possesion

[Penelope]

actually I'm pretty sure i saw him get a kick and thought at the time he did a better job by foot than by hand, but i may have been mistaken. It's not really relevant though, I dont judge players by one game, particularly their first.

[jackstar is back again]

actually I'm pretty sure i saw him get a kick and thought at the time he did a better job by foot than by hand, but i may have been mistaken. It's not really relevant though, I dont judge players by one game, particularly their first.

No kicks on the AFL site.
he didnt attempt to kick.
What is relevant he gave the opposition 3 goals on a platter, and was left out there to be slaughtered

[Go Richo 12]

actually I'm pretty sure i saw him get a kick and thought at the time he did a better job by foot than by hand, but i may have been mistaken. It's not really relevant though, I dont judge players by one game, particularly their first.

No kicks on the AFL site.
he didnt attempt to kick.
What is relevant he gave the opposition 3 goals on a platter, and was left out there to be slaughtered

Worked for Zac Dawson!

[Penelope]

AS for whether he got a kick or not, as i said i may be wrong, perhaps I'll download the game and have a look when it's available,it's really not that importasnt, but as i said, i don't judge a player on one game, particularly his first.

[jackstar is back again]

Yep , and you wonder why we got beaten by Melbourne by 10 goals

[Penelope]

No, I dont wonder why we got beaten by Melbourne by ten goals. I certainly are not blaming any first gamers, first yearers, or even second yearers.

[Gigantor]

Other than a shocking third term i though we matched melbourne today.At this stage i put the third term fade to youth

[Smokey]

Other than a shocking third term i though we matched melbourne today.At this stage i put the third term fade to youth

Yep, more than matched them.  And we have matched our opponents for longer in each successive game we have played so far this season.  Next week will be a big test.

[Gigantor]

smokey i agree with you..it seems to be getting better ever so slightly every week

[Penelope]

The next few weeks are going to be ugly, i feel. I can tell you though, I feel a hell of a lot better about our future than what I did half way through last season.

Gigantor has hit the nail on the head. The difference today was the slightly more experienced bodies able to maintain their intensity for the whole game. We are just going to have to live those fade outs for a while yet

[wayne]

Geez Collingwood can carry Presti and Ball, two guys who don't like to kick.

Dea was only in his first game.

[TigerTimeII]

i think its time certain supporters stopped pretending to be rfc fans and stuff off

their continual bagging and know it all attitude is getting rather boring

some ppl can never be pleased, ffs hardwick is doing what al our past few coaches were ment to do, rebuild properly for our next premiership