'We need to get better': Hardwick unapologetic over Tiger sanctionsJared Lynch
July 5, 2012 - 11:05AMRichmond coach Damien Hardwick is making no apologies for the Tigers' sacking of errant midfielder Daniel Connors for missing a training session after taking sleeping tablets.
"This club, for whatever reason, has been in the wilderness for about 20 years and we have got to do everything better than everyone else to get back where we need to belong," Hardwick said before training at Victoria Park this morning.
"We are getting this group to play a brand of football that we think is going to take us to premiership success. When that may be we are not too sure, but a lot of that comes through the character of the group and the standards you set.
"We don't apologise for taking a hard stance. We need these guys to get better, we need to get better as a club and this is the way we are going to do it."
"...The harder you are on a playing group the better results you get.
"Football's not for everyone.
"...I've got no doubt the short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain."
Tuesday's indiscretion was one too many for Connors, 23, who is yet to decide whether he will pursue his football career at another club. But unlike his previous misdemeanors, which included a boozy brawl with former teammate Ben Cousins two seasons ago, no alcohol was involved and the sleeping tablets had been prescribed by the club doctor.
His teammate, Dustin Martin, who had been out with him on Monday night also took sleeping tablets, which were not prescribed, after he had several bourbon and Cokes while playing pool at a friend's place.
Martin also arrived an hour late to training and was subsequently banned for two matches, his first sanction at the club.
Although on face value it may seem being axed from the club and banned for two matches are harsh penalties for sleeping in, Hardwick assured reporters there was nothing more sinister lurking beneath the sanctions.
"We ask the players to be honest on the field and we ask them to be honest off the field. I asked the blokes straight in the eye what happened and they gave us the truth, so that (inference) is absolute rubbish," he said.
Hardwick said he had no concerns about Martin's off-field behaviour in the past six to 12 months.
"Most 21-year-olds are pretty up and about and Dustin is probably no different. They live a pretty subdued lifestyle, the guys in the AFL system," he said.
"There's not many 21-year-olds that get the scrutiny of AFL footy and many, like the rest of you guys at 21, you make mistakes."
Hardwick admitted he was disappointed Martin had mixed alcohol with taking medication he was not prescribed for, and said that was unacceptable - not just for an AFL player, but for society in general.
"He's learnt a very harsh lesson, the kid. He obviously knew that I was dissappointed and more importantly his 21 teammates that face the opposition this week are really disappointed that he's not out there."
Read more:
http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/afl-news/we-need-to-get-better-hardwick-unapologetic-over-tiger-sanctions-20120705-21iti.html#ixzz1ziN6XFwfhttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/no-apologies-from-richmond-coach-damien-hardwick-for-tough-stance-on-daniel-connors-and-dustin-martin/story-e6frf9jf-1226417782501
