AFL Tigers coach backs Riewoldt to liftGreg Buckle
AAP
April 26, 2012 Richmond AFL coach Damien Hardwick is concerned about the defensive aspects of Jack Riewoldt's game but has full confidence the 2010 Coleman Medallist will regain top form.
Riewoldt has booted 78 and 62 goals in the past two seasons but his first four games this year have yielded only six majors.
Hardwick pointed out on Thursday that no player had scored more than 13 goals this season, which indicated key forwards weren't dominating games as they once did.
But he added Richmond's three key forwards - Riewoldt, Ty Vickery and Brad Miller - were not playing to their potential.
"Our guys will come through it," Hardwick said.
"Our scoring capacity is there. We've just got to get our key forwards more into the game.
"They've got to work harder. We've got to deliver the ball a little bit better also."
Riewoldt was held to one goal against defending premiers Geelong last week and the 23-year-old could do more off the ball, his coach says.
"His defensive area of his game is the area that we're probably a little bit concerned about," Hardwick said.
"The goals will come.
"He has just got to get his kicking boots on. I think he kicked ... two out on the full.
"But if he keeps working on the defensive aspects and the intensity of his work-rate, that's where he'll get the results on his scoreboard.
"He can play better. There's no doubt about that.
"He has just got to get the little things right and the big things will come which is the scoreboard.
"It's pretty hard to dull Jack's confidence on the field. He's fine," Hardwick added.
"He knows his form will turn around."
The Tigers have a 1-3 record this season, enduring a tough first five rounds including matches against grand finalists Collingwood and Geelong and premiership contenders Carlton and West Coast, plus a win over Melbourne.
Richmond host the Eagles on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
"I woke up screaming throughout the night, for the first three nights," Hardwick said of his reaction to seeing the draw for the 2012 season.
"We've improved as a side.
"We've just got to make sure we try to get over the top of one of these sides and hopefully this is the week versus West Coast."
http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-sport/afl-tigers-coach-backs-riewoldt-to-lift-20120426-1xmv5.html
