Riewoldt's role won't change, says HardwickNathan Schmook
March 25, 2014 2:52 PM
RICHMOND won’t change the way it uses key forward Jack Riewoldt in Thursday night's blockbuster against Carlton at the MCG, with coach Damien Hardwick committed to finding goals from a variety of sources this season.
Riewoldt made an underwhelming start to the season in round one, kicking one goal in the 18-point loss to Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium and taking three marks.
Playing a more "selfless" role in the forward line, the dual Coleman medallist increased his goal assists in 2013 but kicked just 58 goals – his lowest return since 2009.
Hardwick said maintaining an unpredictable forward line, which will again include tall targets Ben Griffiths and Ty Vickery, would be vital against the Blues.
"He (Riewoldt) will be playing exactly the same role as he played last year … he'll be in the forward half," Hardwick said on Tuesday.
"We'll continue to flick around our side and try and get the best match-ups available and try and get as many goals as possible from a various amount of sources.
"The game these days, there's no genuine full forward. (Jarryd) Roughead on the weekend verse the Brisbane Lions was full-forward and on the wing and on-ball.
"That's our game. Unfortunately the way the game goes, it's played like a giant under-9s field. Everyone goes up, everyone comes back. Where you fit is where you fit."
While Riewoldt's role won't change for Thursday night's clash, Hardwick said the Tigers’ forward entries would need to after a wasteful performance against the Suns to open the season.
The coach said poor ball use in the forward half was the major reason for the round one loss and he singled out young midfielders Reece Conca and Brandon Ellis in his post-match press conference.
On Tuesday, he said the pair would not have been surprised by what they heard.
"It's a performance-based industry as we know and nothing I said in the media they haven't heard five times worse in this room," he said.
"They're resilient young lads, they're very good players, they're going to be good players for a long time.
"There's no doubt the future of our footy club is reliant on those two players.
"They're quality kids, they're quality high draft picks that we expect a lot from."
Club champion Daniel Jackson trained with the main group on Tuesday and is "touch and go" to return from a hamstring injury after playing three quarters of a VFL practice match on Saturday.
Hardwick said the inclusion of hard nut Matt Thomas, who has made an impressive start at Punt Road, would allow Jackson to return to his tagging role at times.
Forwards Jake King and Aaron Edwards will also be considered at selection, Hardwick said, as the Tigers seek redemption for last year's elimination final loss.
"It's an opportunity for our players to step up and play in front of big crowds, which they enjoy," Hardwick said.
"We've got to make sure we start nailing these games and that way gain the momentum that takes us into the season.
"We don't want to go back 0-2. We want to make sure we're 1-1 and attack the season head-on from there."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-03-25/jack-going-nowhere-hardwick
