Hardwick's media conference today ...
VIDEO:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2014-05-29/hardwick-press-conference-may-29th---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tiger players call on Hardwick to 'give them a whack'Jennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
May 29, 2014 3:02 PMAN INTENSIVE week of soul-searching led to Richmond's players asking coach Damien Hardwick to be much tougher on them.
And skipper Trent Cotchin wasn't spared any home truths, advised by his peers to be more aggressive at times.
Following on from the Tigers' shock loss to Melbourne and ahead of their 113-point win over Greater Western Sydney, the players and coaches undertook some "constructive feedback" meetings, in which Hardwick was encouraged to put the heat on his players more frequently.
Known as a tough and tenacious defender when he played, the Richmond coach took the advice on board.
"We have those feedback sessions regularly in footy clubs; they're the things we go through," Hardwick said.
"If the feedback is something that can help improve me and help improve our footy side then by all means we'll do it.
"I must admit I've never been called ‘soft’ before.
"There are facets of my coaching that I can improve. The day I stop coaching is the day I probably get out of the game.
"I ask my players to improve on a weekly basis and I've got to do the same.
"If I don't, I'm doing my players an injustice, really. There's always something I'd like to improve on every year."
Cotchin told Channel 7 earlier in the week that Hardwick was open to the feedback that suggested he "whack" the players more.
"The fantastic thing about our group and 'Dimma' is that people are comfortable to actually talk to him about where he can improve," Cotchin said.
"They've said, 'mate, if you're thinking something, just whack blokes'.
"We feel that as individuals he can probably put the heat on. He has done it at times, and it's worked."
Hardwick said the assessment of Cotchin needing to become more demanding and aggressive had also already paid off.
He said it was evident the captain had taken his physicality up a notch against the Giants.
He also said the continuing evolvement of the 24-year-old as a player would improve his abilities as skipper.
"The thing I think our players enjoyed seeing was him taking out that aggression on the opposition players," Hardwick said.
"Trent's a ball player first and foremost and his leadership is more through doing; the way he plays inspires others.
"If he can add this to his bow and his playing group is crying out for it, then we're going to be all the better for it.
"He's a wonderful captain, he's a young captain and he's going to be an even better captain in the future."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-05-29/ive-never-been-called-soft
