RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has thrown his support behind a mid-year trade period, saying the Western Bulldogs might have won the flag if it had been able to secure disgruntled Swan Barry Hall in mid-2009.
Hardwick said the window would provide a big benefit for clubs requiring urgent list changes and players who were not getting opportunities at their clubs.
"I think it is an outstanding idea," Hardwick said. "With (AFL football operations manager) Adrian Anderson saying there might be a (mid-year) trade period, it will be become very strategic. It would be great for clubs in the position that we are at right now, and might help some to start to get off the bottom quicker."
Hardwick cited the Hall example from two years ago when he was close to being finished with the Swans and was said to be on the Bulldogs' radar.
Hall last played for the Swans in Round 13, 2009, but was already under pressure given his on-field issues.
The Bulldogs were known to be keen on him at the time.
Instead, Hall had to wait until October to be traded to the Bulldogs, only a few weeks after they had been beaten by seven points in a 2009 preliminary final against St Kilda.
"For example, the Western Bulldogs might have won a flag if they were able to trade for Barry Hall," Hardwick said. "It may have cost them a flag because they didn't have the facility to trade then."
He said the Tigers would be active in the trade market this October, and not only for the ruckman they so desperately need.
"We will be active, whether it is a ruckman, a key back or key forward or a rover," he said. "Whoever is out there who fits our model, we will look at.
"As we have heard from the recruiting staff in the papers, the level of the draft this year isn't that deep. So we will see who is out there and if someone can help us out, we will chat to them."
Hardwick revealed he spoke to AFL umpires manager Jeff Gieschen during the week about some of the ruck decisions that went against Richmond in the clash with West Coast last week.
"Look, the umpires are pretty good. They, like myself, and the players, make mistakes," he said.
"One that the AFL probably needs to look at is the ruck rule. I am a big one for letting the big beasts having a crack at it.
"We spoke to Jeff about it, and said the ruck rule is one that caused us a bit of grief."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-coach-damien-hardwick-supports-mid-season-draft/story-e6frf9jf-1226114430734
