Ross Smith - new assistant coach [officially confirmed]

[Jackstar is back again]

can tell you who is leaving , but whats the point. who cares

Come on Jack tell us. You have news to tell us on every other thread. Spill your guts mate.

check your PM

[gerkin greg]

once you've checked your PM can you post it for us Tucker?

[Jackstar is back again]

once you've checked your PM can you post it for us Tucker?

Not likely he will

[Coach]

wheres my PM JJ

[tigs2011]

can tell you who is leaving , but whats the point. who cares

Come on Jack tell us. You have news to tell us on every other thread. Spill your guts mate.

check your PM

Wanna send me a PM too? I don't mind a bit of ranga. Just kidding *vom*

But seriously send one my way please?

[bojangles17]

pm me too please, would like to know

[Smokey]

good to see dimma surrounding himself with experienced, capable, and  succesful assistants that he knows and trusts.

the football department will be strengthened with this appointment

Also good to see the RFC hierarchy don't pay much attention to the Chicken Littles on here who were screaming for Hardwick's head circa mid-2011.   

[Coach]

Go all in JJ

[tigtuff12]

...good addition - was hard at it as a player & the roos loved his leadership...good reports out of hawthorn as well & can only help having people involved who have a) won flags & b) been involved int he rebuild/development of a young side...another couple of appointments like this (craig, knighta back in development role etc) and I think we are assembling a good nucleus off field...now if only we can delist/trade out a few duds & get a good nucleus ON it...hmmmmm

[10 FLAGS]

good to see dimma surrounding himself with experienced, capable, and  succesful assistants that he knows and trusts.

the football department will be strengthened with this appointment

Also good to see the RFC hierarchy don't pay much attention to the Chicken Littles on here who were screaming for Hardwick's head circa mid-2011.   

Mate we still got people who reckon that Rawlings should have got the job ahead of Hardwick and your wondering about afew who wanted Hardwick out. Hardwick done a good job up till now.

[Jackstar is back again]

Lets see what happens if we dont play finals in 2012.

[10 FLAGS]

I think Hardwick will be in real trouble if he misses out in 2012 especially if Malthouse is not coaching and is unsigned by another club.

[Loui Tufga]

I can't believe people think Hardwick will be in trouble if we don't make finals! The man is a bloody coach not a miracle worker and considering what shape the list was in when he took over it would be totally unfair to give him the arse considering how much dead wood he has cut from it and how much still needs pruning. He has basically had nothing to work with and I think he has done a great job just to get us to where we are so quickly. Hardwick should be offered a 2 year extension out of good faith for what we set him up with in the beginning!

And as for Malthouse I hope he stays the eff away! The last thing we need is that prick sniffing around in the middle of next season de stabilizing the club all because he thinks he has unfinished business.....Lets not forget he has been given the arse from the AFL's most successful club of the era both on and off field......Maybe there is something in that for all of us  

[10 FLAGS]

I can't believe people think Hardwick will be in trouble if we don't make finals! The man is a bloody coach not a miracle worker and considering what shape the list was in when he took over it would be totally unfair to give him the behind considering how much dead wood he has cut from it and how much still needs pruning. He has basically had nothing to work with and I think he has done a great job just to get us to where we are so quickly. Hardwick should be offered a 2 year extension out of good faith for what we set him up with in the beginning!

And as for Malthouse I hope he stays the eff away! The last thing we need is that prick sniffing around in the middle of next season de stabilizing the club all because he thinks he has unfinished business.....Lets not forget he has been given the behind from the AFL's most successful club of the era both on and off field......Maybe there is something in that for all of us

People have that view because history shows our club doesnt have long term timelines when it comes to coaches. Personally I think its grossly unfair if he doesnt continue because the first 2 years of his contract have been sacrificed for development... but we are Richmond and at Richmond coaches who dont make finals usually dont stay long. IMHO we should miss the finals again next year and go full bore on the draft then put the line in the sand in terms of winning for the following seasons.

[Loui Tufga]

Agree Next year will be more make or break for our list management IMO, we need to get at least 3 picks right this season then go all out next year. It will be interesting to see if we play it safe or take a risk or two in this years draft? either way it need's to work out for our recruiters or heads will have to roll in that department