Hardwick's aftermatch press conference / Tiger stars set for return

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VIDEO: Dimma in the aftermatch press conference

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2013-03-02/preseason-2-hardwick-post-match


Tiger stars set for return
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
8:30pm AEDT Saturday, March 2, 2013


RICHMOND is set to welcome back up to eight members of its best side as its preparations advance for round one.

The Tigers beat Essendon by eight points in Wangaratta on Saturday in round two of the NAB Cup, but remain far from full strength, unlike the Bombers who were missing only two first-choice players.

Captain Trent Cotchin, vice-captain Brett Deledio and ruckman Ivan Maric all missed the Bombers' clash, as did defender Steven Morris, recruit Chris Knights and young midfielder Reece Conca.

With defenders Dylan Grimes and Troy Chaplin also close to returning, coach Damien Hardwick said things were going to plan.

"There's probably about eight guys who will come back into our best 22 and that's really good for us," Hardwick said after the Essendon win.

"We've gone about it in a certain way, so we'll probably play pretty much full-strength sides in [the third and fourth rounds of the NAB Cup.]"

Chaplin, who crossed from Port Adelaide at the end of last year, is likely to take the field for his new club for the first time next week against Hawthorn. Grimes, recovering from a hamstring injury, is a chance to play the following week.

"Probably the only guys who possibly won't play round one [are] Grimes and [Nathan] Foley. But other than that we're in reasonable shape which is good," Hardwick said.

Hardwick was pleased with his side's ability to close out the win against the Bombers, and praised returning defender David Astbury for his job on Essendon forward Michael Hurley.

- See more at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-03-02/essendon-v-richmond-press-conference#sthash.WNa6cxvK.dpuf

[one-eyed]

Tough Tigers learning to win close games, Damien Hardwick says

    Jon Ralph
    Herald Sun
    March 03, 2013

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says his side's ability to close out a tight contest against Essendon will do wonders for their psyche after last year's run of agonising losses.

The Tigers lost six games by 12 points or less last year, as well as last week's NAB Cup game against North Melbourne, and again trailed in the last term against the Bombers.

But after a run of eight behinds and just one goal in that last term, Ricky Petterd's supergoal for an eight-point victory sealed the Wangaratta contest.

Hardwick said after letting slip an earlier 20-point lead, then fighting back with a vastly inferior side, it was a big win for Richmond.

"It's been well documented last year we failed to finish those close games," Hardwick said.

"Today it didn't help our cause missing all those points, but we have worked on a couple of things to help us with closing out and it certainly came to fruition today, which was good.

"There were certain stages I thought we dominated the game and then let the Bombers come back in. We were really pleased with what we got out of the game so overall it was really positive for us."

Essendon had just David Zaharakis missing from its best side, while Richmond had rested Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric and Reece Conca, with Nathan Foley, Troy Chaplin and Dylan Grimes still to return.

The Tigers now play Hawthorn next week at Aurora Stadium and, like Essendon, escaped without any injuries or match review panel heat.

Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/breaking-news/tough-tigers-learning-to-win-close-games-damien-hardwick-says/story-e6frfkp9-1226589135420#ixzz2MOWILEBI