Tigers not haunted by ghosts of finals past: HardwickTravis King
afl.com.au
September 7, 2015 5:53 PMDAMIEN Hardwick insists Richmond won't carry the burden of failed September campaigns from the past two seasons into Sunday's elimination final against North Melbourne.
Hardwick has become the first Richmond coach since the legendary Tom Hafey to lead the club to three consecutive finals appearances, but the Tigers are still searching for their first post-season win since 2001.
Asked if there was a finals burden to overcome, Hardwick replied: "No, absolutely not" and said he took confidence from his side's consistency in 2015.
"I think the proof is in our performance over the season," Hardwick said.
"We've improved drastically in a lot of areas we looked to improve over the course of the summer. We've won 15 games this year against some really good opposition as well.
"The consistency of our performance has been the striking point for mine and we look forward to taking that into round one of the finals this year."
This season the Tigers have equalled their wins from 2013 and tasted victory in Perth, Sydney and Adelaide – the venue of last year's elimination final horror show against Port.
But six days out from the Roos' clash, Hardwick is refusing to look in the rear-view mirror at last year, or Richmond's second-half capitulation against Carlton the previous year.
"Those finals are in the history books, there's nothing we can do about them now," Hardwick said.
"All we build on is the consistency we've put into the regular season and make sure we take that consistency into week one of the finals.
"It's a different ball game, different side, different opposition. There's no point looking back, we only look forward to what we can achieve this year."
Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin conceded the disappointment of those finals defeats stuck in his mind, but said the playing group felt prepared for the Roos.
"To be completely honest with you, it's hard to reflect. You talk about the last couple of years and all you remember is the disappointment of losing the final," Cotchin said.
"But the reality is we know exactly what's required from us and this year's been the most consistent we've been, with the same behaviours and everyone knowing and understanding and playing their role for a long period of time.
"I think that gives you confidence."
It will be a different-looking Kangaroos line-up to the side Richmond ran over last Friday night, with North set to recall a host of big-name players.
Among them is Jarrad Waite, who returns to partner Drew Petrie and Ben Brown in the Roos' three-pronged tall attack, but Hardwick has faith in his defence to cover the aerial threat.
"We're pretty confident with (Jake) Batchelor and (Dylan) Grimes can play tall as well, that's the reason we like them in the side," he said.
Reece Conca is an outside chance to return for Richmond after two weeks on the training track in his comeback from a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, 200cm big man Ben Griffiths (finger) will train Thursday and is also hopeful of returning if the Tigers progress beyond the elimination final.
"He once again provides a different dynamic than we've already got, as compared to Ty (Vickery) and Jack (Riewoldt)," Hardwick said.
"In saying that, he hasn't played for five, possibly six weeks, so once again it's similar to the Reece Conca call - how much do we destabilise the side by bringing those guys in?
"But it's probably a fair problem to have."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-07/no-finals-hoodoo-hardwick
