Damien Hardwick says Tigers answer the challenge Glenn McFarlane
From: Sunday Herald Sun
May 13, 2012 RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick praised the efforts of his players, saying an emerging belief played a key role in the 29-point win over Sydney at the MCG.
While stopping short of saying it represented his most satisfying win as a senior coach, Hardwick admitted he enjoyed it because he had enormous respect for the Swans.
"What I take the most enjoyment out of is beating a quality football side like Sydney," he said.
"You don't often say how much you admire a club, (but) I love the way they play and what they represent.
"For our club to get one over them was a good result.
"These are the sort of games you need to win to ... challenge for the eight. So it was a great win for our club, but it doesn't get any easier from here."
The Tigers went into the game with a plan to hit the contest early.
That's what they achieved, opening up a five-goal-to-nil first term, and having 77 more touches in the first half hour than their opponents.
Hardwick said that early intensity set the tone for the rest of the game, even when the Swans cut back the margin to 14 points at the last change.
"We went in with a plan to control the ball as good as we could (early) and to spread the defence and it worked quite well," he said.
"It was good to dominate that (first) quarter, it certainly gave us the break in the game.
"Sydney obviously made some adjustments, as we knew they would, and the game tightened up into an even contest.
"Our players have shown over the course of the year that they will get headed at stages, but they will certainly dig deep and get the result back on track.
"We have fallen short a couple of times, but it was pleasing to see them respond when they (the Swans) challenged."
Hardwick said Richmond's midfielders did a great job on shutting out Sydney's engine room, reserving a special mention for Shane Tuck, who made some mistakes, but kept Josh Kennedy to 21 touches.
He said Jack Riewoldt, who kicked a game-high four goals, was working hard defensively, and admitted that ruckman Ivan Maric had already become a favourite.
He acknowledged the task ahead this Saturday at the MCG against Essendon, impressive winners over West Coast yesterday, was going to be tough.
"They are a formidable side, 'Hirdy' (James Hird) has got them playing some really good footy," Hardwick said before leaving to watch the Dons demolish West Coast.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/damien-hardwick-says-tigers-answer-the-challenge/story-e6frf9jf-1226353870329
