Best win of year: Hardwickrichmondfc.com.au
By Jennifer Witham
11:19 PM Sat 10 July, 2010RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says he has a new contender for the Tigers’ best win of the year given the courageous circumstances surrounding Saturday night’s 19-point triumph over Fremantle.
The Tigers lost Ben Griffiths to a shoulder injury and Ben Nason to a badly cut cheek in the first half, and were restricted in the final term when several players cramped.
Hardwick said he was proud of his players after the thrilling victory, which came after the scores were deadlocked with six minutes remaining.
“I said last week was the best win … tonight was a testament to our playing group, the bravery they showed to be down two troops before half time,” he said.
“It was just outstanding, the mental strength to get through that. It was very, very good.”
Hardwick said a win over a top-four side was “a fantastic learning experience” for his young side, which has now won four games in a row.
“Freo were missing five or six guys that can quite easily slot back into that side but it’s a great scalp for our guys because they’re a top four side,” he said.
“The great thing about young players is they thrive on a challenge, for example to play on a [Matthew] Pavlich or a David Mundy, who was excellent tonight.
“We still know we’ve got a long way to go; there’s going to be games we win and unfortunately we’ll lose at stages too.
“To knock off a top four side is great and I’m sure there’s some sides at the bottom end of the eight that will be thanking us tonight.”
The Tigers were fired up, albeit a little undisciplined, in the opening term.
Hardwick said their attitude was pleasing after the week leading into the game was disrupted by Ben Cousins’ hospitalisation.
“We were a little bit off early but it was just pleasing the fight the guys showed and the belief they had in themselves,” he said.
“There were a couple of times where we could have dropped the ball, like when we were two goals down halfway through the second quarter and could have crumbled.
“But the guys, the fight and belief in each other, it’s starting to evolve and it’s really important for this footy club going forward.”
Griffith dislocated a shoulder and will be scanned on Monday while Nason was sporting a swollen eye and cut on his cheek after the game. Matt White was also icing his face after being accidentally poked in the eye by Shane Edwards in a high-five gone wrong.
Richard Tambling was a late withdrawal with knee soreness but is expected to play next week.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/97911/default.aspx
