Hardwick's press conference - Sept 10 / Tigers may turn to Conca for North clash

[one-eyed]

Dimma's presser today ...

VIDEO: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2015-09-10/hardwick-press-conference-september-10th

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Tigers may turn to Conca for North clash

AFL.com.au
September 10, 2015

RICHMOND may turn to Reece Conca for Sunday's elimination final against North Melbourne despite the midfielder's hamstring problems restricting him to just two games this season.

The experienced Conca has not played since round 19 after hurting his hamstring in his second game back, but Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says he is a good enough player to be in the mix.

"He's a player that we feel can help us," Hardwick said.

"He's an important player to us, he's a capable player, but match fitness is obviously a key indicator on that one."

Conca hurt his hamstring early in the 2013 elimination final but was a good performer throughout 2014.

Hardwick said the selectors would select the fittest team it could and take into account the forecast temperature of 24.

That might count against Conca with the Tigers relatively injury free and in winning form having won their past four games.

Hardwick said the Tigers' form gave them confidence they would perform well in front of a crowd at the MCG that is expected to reach 80,000.

He said those playing in their first final knew what needed to be done, despite the coach conceding that the intensity of such games rises.

" Our game preparation doesn't change, the way we play doesn't change, so their roles and expectations stay exactly the same," Hardwick said.

"The mental preparation of this game is of no greater value than any game that we normally play, so they will just go about their business and prepare thoroughly."

Hardwick said the Tigers would also consider bringing in another tall forward such as Liam McBean, Shaun Hampson or David Astbury, who has played mainly as a defender, given the marking power in North Melbourne's defence.

The Tigers have not won a final since they defeated Carlton in 2001, having been eliminated in the first week of the past two finals series.

Hardwick said the pressure on the senior coach was always there, regardless of the time of the year and what was at stake.

"We just have to prepare thoroughly for this game and make sure we get the win that we deserve," he said.

"We have trained incredibly hard over the course of the year. I have incredible faith in our players and coaching staff to get the job done," he said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-10/tigers-may-turn-to-conca-in-bid-to-conquer-north

[Francois Jackson]

Ooh dear god

[Bateman]

Doesn't he remember the exact game 2 years ago #mandownfor3quarters

[one-eyed]

Damien Hardwick may roll dice on Reece Conca for Richmond’s elimination final

Bruce Matthews
Herald Sun
September 10, 2015


RICHMOND has a tough decision on whether to gamble by calling up injury-prone Reece Conca for Sunday’s elimination final.

The Tigers must weigh up Conca’s recent hamstring problems against his value as a versatile addition against North Melbourne at the MCG.

“He’s a player we feel can help us. He hasn’t played for four weeks and has barely played any footy over the course of the year. So once again it’s going to be a decision we have to look at,” coach Damien Hardwick said.

“He’s an important player to us, he’s a capable player, but match fitness is obviously a key indicator. Tough match committee this afternoon.

“It’s a calculated risk and we have to make sure we take in the fittest side we can. It’s going to be hot conditions, a game that’s full of run on a big ground the MCG that’s different to Etihad (Stadium).”

More certain is key defender Troy Chaplin will be ready for the return against a vastly changed Roos team after he didn’t join Tuesday’s training session.
Damien Hardwick says Troy Chaplin will be fine to tackle North Melbourne. Picture: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images

“It’s always a precaution with Chappy. He rarely trains Tuesday, so he’ll be fine today,” Hardwick said.

Richmond is focusing on a faster start than the stuttering opening quarter against North Melbourne last Friday night before the Tigers regrouped to pull away for a 41-point win.

“We were probably a bit stand-offish at the start. North had 33 tackles in the first quarter which was a staggering amount and we probably coughed up the ball a bit more than we would like. We’ll start better this week, we’ll be more into the contest,” Hardwick said.

“The contested nature of the game probably ramps up a little bit. All that are in the eight are obviously good sides and the contested ball numbers probably go up about 10 per cent.

“The great thing for us in terms of preparation is our last two games have been those sorts of numbers. So it’s a matter of maintaining your composure around the contested nature of the game. We didn’t do that well early doors last week and managed to get our game back on track.

“From a game-style point of view, nothing will change from ourselves and North’s point of view. While the personnel will change, the way they play the game is pretty much the same. So, the planning will be pretty much identical to last week.

“There a couple of things we’ll tinker with that we didn’t do so well and North will obviously be the same.”

Hardwick said that tinkering may involve the forward setup to try to stretch the Roos’ backline group.

“We’ve got some decisions down there, whether we bring in (David) Astbury or (Liam) McBean, these type of players to help us with another tall. (Shaun) Hampson is also a possibility,” he said.

“We’ve been pretty happy with the mix of our forward line, we’ve got a great spread of goalkickers and I think that’s a great strength of our forward line, the unpredictability.”

Hardwick said the duel between Tiger big man Ivan Maric and Roos counterpart Todd Goldstein would be pivotal to which team advances in their finals campaign.

“Goldstein is in great form. The last time even though we lost the game, I was pretty happy with Ivan’s form versus Goldstein on that occasion,” he said.

“Look, it’s going to be crucial, no doubt about that, he’s an incredible player, an incredible athlete who has done a staggering amount of centre bounce work over the course of the year, but I’ve got extreme faith in Ivan to do the job.

“We’re really fresh, a nine-day break helps us all and we’re looking forward to making sure we train well today and prepare well for the game on Sunday.

“The mental preparation for this game is no greater value than any game that we normally play. They will just go about their business and prepare as best they can, which is thoroughly.”

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-finals-2015-damien-hardwick-may-roll-dice-on-reece-conca-for-richmonds-elimination-final/story-fni5f9jb-1227520824345?sv=6e39ebd8a0047a860ebaf7a8023a68c3

[No More]

I would play conca, if he goes good we could trade him back to WA 

[JP Tiger]

*gulp!  Elimination finals & Conca just don't mix!  Especially when coming back from a visit from his favorite injury ...   

[(•))(©™]

Lmao
Turning to a bloke who hasn't played footy all year and is a known wacko.

FMD, dimmer.

Wtf are you on?

[No More]

They want to play him so they can get good value in a trade.

[(•))(©™]

Not a difference will it make

A polished turd is just that.

[🏅Dooks]

Should tell him to go the biff.