Hard work required for next steprichmondfc.com.au
8:56 PM Tue 13 Sep, 2011The 2011 season was considered an improvement, according to Damien Hardwick, but there is plenty of hard work ahead for the Tigers.
Speaking at the Jack Dyer Medal presentation evening at Crown Palladium, Hardwick said his motivation for being part of the finals was as strong as ever.
“I watched the first week of the finals last weekend and now, more than ever, I crave for this Club to be a part of the September action,” he said.
“I know our members and supporters feel the same way. Even more importantly, I know the players want it as much as we do.”
But the Tigers’ coach knows success is never handed over without hard work.
“There is a burning desire at this football club to reach our end goal, but it won’t just happen. It requires an absolute commitment from all of us, and that will underpin a very clear plan that we will not deviate from, under any circumstances.
“Our players must come back and attack the pre-season like never before. We can’t hope success comes our way, we must continue to prepare in a way that makes it inevitable.”
The Tigers won eight and a half games in 2011, up from six in 2010, but Hardwick said the win-loss column was not the sole marker of the team’s improvement.
“The emergence of Ty Vickery, Alex Rance, Robbie Nahas and Dylan Grimes was very pleasing. The challenge for these guys is to improve even further in 2012 and beyond,” he said.
“The first seasons of Bachar Houli, Shaun Grigg and Brad Miller in Richmond colours were terrific. They will have learned a lot from the past 12 months and become even more important for us in 2012.
“Our 2010 draftees - Reece Conca, Jake Batchelor and Brad Helbig, all showed they have the capacity to be long-term players at this club. They now know what it takes to play AFL football.”
Hardwick also acknowledged the support of Richmond’s loyal fan base, in a year which yielded record membership.
“I want to thank the Tiger Army for their on-going support of this football club. This Club has a support base that is the envy of so many other clubs. Rest assured, we don’t take it for granted,” he said.
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