Young Tigers in fight for first-round berth by: Greg Denham
From: The Australian
March 04, 2013 RICHMOND'S best pre-season results in four years under Damien Hardwick has prompted the senior coach to declare that a number of premiership-season spots are still up for grabs.
After a competitive first week of pre-season games, a well-below-full-strength Tigers overran Essendon in Wangaratta on Saturday night.
But what impressed Hardwick more than the come-from-behind victory was the emergence and further development of several players.
"The competition for spots is definitely greater than it has been, no doubt about that," Hardwick said yesterday.
"Our list is in the best shape it's been for some time, we're into the fourth year of a rebuild and we need success at some time."
Hardwick reiterated his optimism that the Tigers are realistic finals contenders, following gradual improvement in his first three years at Punt Road, peaking last year with 10 wins and a draw.
"We've got a chance to make finals probably for the first time in 12 or 13 years," he said. "As I've said to our supporters before, I think they will enjoy the journey."
Against a close-to-full-strength Essendon, the Tigers were missing Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric, Reece Conca and Steven Morris, and rested Dustin Martin and Chris Newman for a half.
"There's probably about eight guys who will come back into our best 22 and that's really good for us," Hardwick said.
The coach was particularly taken by the encouraging form of teenage midfielder Nick Vlastuin and key defender David Astbury, who had a keen duel with Bombers forward Michael Hurley.
Hardwick said Vlastuin was in line to make his senior debut against Carlton in the first round of the season proper. He was the Tigers' first pick in the national draft last season and the ninth overall selection.
"It will be a tough ask, but he's close for round one," Hardwick said.
Astbury, 22, has been restricted to just seven senior games over the past two seasons, including the final two rounds of last year after overcoming a serious knee injury.
Hardwick said prized free-agency recruit Troy Chaplin should play a half this weekend against Hawthorn in Launceston.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/young-tigers-in-fight-for-first-round-berth/story-fnca0u4y-1226589492109
