I still don't think Hardwick will coach a flag.
Good for you.
On the law of probability, you will be correct. However, the same could be said of ANY coach Richmond hires.
Let me be clearer, I don't think Hardwick has the skill set to be capable of taking a side to a Premiership.
Let's face it, we are all enjoying a side fighting for a spot in the eight right now, when they should be well and truly cemented for another finals campaign.
I'd like to see him replaced, but only for a coach who has the elite level in them that Hardwick lacks, like Thompson.
Good players make good coaches.
Look at Melbourne. The got Tyson, Salem, and that bloke from Adelaide (who can play a bit). They have improved because their playing personnel has improved a bit. They have the super coach Roos who has made them a better defensive unit. However, the playing group determine the results.
Geelong in 2007 is an excellent example. They were poor in the first few games even with the mighty Bomber Thompson as coach. The playing group got together, disciplined Stevie J and from then on hardly lost a game. Real improvements come from on field leadership, not from the coaches box.
For Richmond to improve, we need our on field leaders to demand excellence and to demand sustained effort. We need to find players who have these qualities in the draft too. That's what will improve us. Not continually sacking coaches. The coach stays as long as he hasn't lost the playing group.
