Hardwick's post-match media conference/ Pain of defeat propels Tigers

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Dimma's post-match presser ...

VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-07-31/full-postmatch-tigers

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Pain of defeat propels Tigers to new heights

Ben Guthrie 
afl.com.au
August 1, 2015

RICHMOND'S players used the stinging disappointment of last week's heartbreaking loss against Fremantle to topple a red-hot Hawthorn, coach Damien Hardwick says.

The Tigers' 18-point victory was built around their ability to deny the Hawks access to the ball for long periods of the game, as well as drying up the reigning premier's scoring options.

Richmond held the high-powered Hawthorn attack to just 53 points for the match after the Hawks had averaged 116 points in the previous 16 games.

"The execution (of the game plan) was really important, probably built on the disappointment of last week," Hardwick said.

"The guys were quite angry with the loss and the pleasing thing from my point of view is that they turned that disappointment and anger into a really credible performance.

"The way they went about the contest tonight – they hunted the opposition – I thought was as good as I'd seen it."

Hardwick spoke to his players in the review of the Dockers game on Monday and urged his side to respond like a good side should.

"We spoke about it earlier in the week and said that loss could make or break you," Hardwick said.

"We walked out of Monday's review as positive as we had. We felt like we could play with the best sides in the competition… but the proof was going to be in the pudding tonight."

Led by Anthony Miles (30 disposals and seven clearances) in the midfield and Brett Deledio (four goals), the Tigers outhustled and outworked their fancied opponents, winning the contested possession count 147-126.

The Tigers also beat the Hawks at their own game, racking up 98 uncontested marks to Hawthorn's 56.

Richmond's win also marks the third occasion in the past four meetings it has slayed the competition's giant.

Hardwick said the Tigers' 2015 journey was still unfolding.

"Your games along the way will help mould your side. It's another win where we build on our story as a footy club," Hardwick said.

"It's been a reasonably long journey for our patient Richmond fans, but we hope we can repay them at some stage."

The Tigers have now beaten three of the top four sides in the competition – Hawthorn, the Sydney Swans and Fremantle – and are homing in on a top-four spot.

But Hardwick is not daring to dream just yet, saying the club's focus was on a crucial matchup against seventh-placed Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

"We are not putting a ceiling on it," Hardwick said.

"The most important game is Adelaide next week. Any win away or any game away is incredibly tough. So, we are going to have our work cut out for us.

"We have to make sure we enjoy the win tonight but we move on quickly and our guys are accustomed to doing that."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-08-01/damien-hardwick-postmatch-presser#sthash.No4NyEPV.dpuf

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Damien Hardwick says loss to Fremantle kicked Richmond into gear to beat Hawthorn

Sam Edmund
Herald-Sun
July 31, 2015 11:45PM

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick said his side played angry in its stunning dismantling of Hawthorn after being stung by last week’s loss to Fremantle.

The Tigers were relentless in their third win in four games against the Hawks, pressuring the premier to a standstill at the MCG to win by 18 points.

“The execution was really important, probably built on the disappointment a little bit of last week,” Hardwick said.

“The guys were quite angry with the loss and the pleasing thing ... was they turned that disappointment and anger into a really credible performance. The way they went about the contest tonight, hunted the opposition, I thought was as good as I’ve seen it.”

Richmond jumped into the top four, having now beaten Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn in a campaign that demands they be taken seriously as a premiership contender.

“Your games along the way will help mould your side. It’s probably another win where we’re building our story,” Hardwick said.

“It’s been a reasonably long journey for our patient Richmond fans, but we hope we can repay them at some stage.

“It’s a big win against a quality football club. I suppose from our point of view Hawthorn had been in red hot form, so to stop that tonight was impressive from our boys. They played a hard, tough brand of footy that we were really pleased with.

“In fairness to Hawthorn they’ve been up for a long time.”

Asked if he knew how to unlock the Hawks, who are gunning for three straight flags, Hardwick said: “I just think there’s some sides you match up well against. We probably play a similar style, come from a similar line of coach I suppose you’d say with ‘Clarko’ being my first head coach from that point of view.”

Hardwick praised the influence of Brett Deledio, who kicked the first three goals of the match, and the return of Reece Conca who injected significant zip around the stoppages.

But the Tigers rooms were far from hysterical, with Hardwick declaring his side “accustomed” to moving on quickly. But he said the Tigers had gained belief in the loss to Fremantle.

“It could make or break you, that sort of game, and to the guys’ credit we walked out of Monday’s review as positive as we have,” he said.

“We felt we could play with the best sides of the competition.”

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-says-loss-to-fremantle-kicked-richmond-into-gear-to-beat-hawthorn/story-fndv8t7m-1227465596970