Dimma's post-match media conference / Dimma defends 15-man Tigers

[one-eyed]

Dimma's post-match presser:

VIDEO: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2016-03-10/nab-3-hardwick-postmatch

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardwick defends 15-man Tigers

Nathan Schmook 
afl.com.au
March 10, 2016 11:32 PM


RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has defended his club's decision to field 15 players for periods of Thursday's NAB Challenge loss to Port Adelaide, saying his eyes were firmly on round one and protecting the health of his players. 

The Tigers' injury problems became so severe against the Power that Hardwick requested the game be cut short in the final 10 minutes.

The plea was denied by the AFL, with football operations manager Mark Evans then stepping in to make sure the Tigers fielded as many players as they could until the end of the match. 

Hardwick said he had pulled star players Alex Rance, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin off the ground to make sure they got their rotations after being stretched through the fourth quarter.

"It seems like a big deal, but our main priority is the health and safety of our players for round one, not to win a NAB three game," Hardwick said.

"Some of our players hadn't had a rotation for a quarter, and we had another player who was cramping.

"So we just thought 'let's get them off and have their rotation and send them back on if they're OK'.

"My priority is to get a fit and fired-up Richmond side for round one, not to win a practice match."

The Tigers were left nursing injuries on Thursday night to Shane Edwards (collarbone), Reece Conca (hamstring), Shaun Grigg (hand) and Jacob Townsend (concussion).

They also put vice-captain Brett Deledio in cotton wool after playing 50 minutes in his first pre-season game, while ruckman Shaun Hampson cramped late in his return from an ankle injury.

Hardwick said more players on the bench could have been a solution on Thursday night, but admitted the situation was rare.

"We have got a limited rotation of 90, so does it make a difference having 10 on the bench," he said. 

"I'm not quite sure why we're limited in numbers.

"It would have been nice for the sake of the game if we could have grabbed three blokes (to put on)."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-03-10/hardwicks-health-call

[Diocletian]

oh look...

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Let's hope that makes a 10 goal difference....

[tdy]

I don't really understand why there would be a player ki m it or a rotation limit in a pre season game. Take the whole list give me all a run IMHO. AFL  rules are backward in this regard.

[(•))(©™]

George Bushesque

[Penelope]

I don't really understand why there would be a player ki m it or a rotation limit in a pre season game. Take the whole list give me all a run IMHO. AFL  rules are backward in this regard.

probably the most sensible post on the topic to date

[Stalin]

I don't really understand why there would be a player ki m it or a rotation limit in a pre season game. Take the whole list give me all a run IMHO. AFL  rules are backward in this regard.

gambling

[mat073]

Are we supposed to put injured players back on the park for a stupid insignificant NAB challenge game.

A few years ago in a game against Adelaide- an injured Foley reappeared on the field and this site went into meltdown.

Can't have it both ways.

[Chuck17]

What about when Tuck played with his shoulder injury, I still hear the resonating echos of chicken littles all over the forum

[Hard Roar Tiger]

They weren't all injured.
What gives Richmond the right to pick and choose when it fields a full team?
There are basic standards clubs sign up by being in the competition - I'd imagine making an effort to play 18 on the field is one of those conditions?
It's also pretty disrespectful to the Power.
If they were worried about injuries to key players then they should've put those players into the intraclub.
Making it up on the fly isn't very professional

[(•))(©™]

Went Into meltdown. What a crock.

[🏅Dooks]

Are we supposed to put injured players back on the park for a stupid insignificant NAB challenge game.

We DID in fact have 18 fit players. We chose to rest our stars rather than send them back out.

And if Nab cup games are so "stupid and insignificant", why even bother posting here before Round 1?

[Stalin]

They weren't all injured.
What gives Richmond the right to pick and choose when it fields a full team?
There are basic standards clubs sign up by being in the competition - I'd imagine making an effort to play 18 on the field is one of those conditions?
It's also pretty disrespectful to the Power.
If they were worried about injuries to key players then they should've put those players into the intraclub.
Making it up on the fly isn't very professional

The rules say you need to play a minimum 14 players

Hate te game

[Mardi Gras Tiger]

Are we supposed to put injured players back on the park for a stupid insignificant NAB challenge game.

We DID in fact have 18 fit players. We chose to rest our stars rather than send them back out.

And if Nab cup games are so "stupid and insignificant", why even bother posting here before Round 1?

Exactly! Bring on Round One

[Hard Roar Tiger]

From The Age today....

"The Tigers football boss also expressed the club's regret to his Port Adelaide counterpart Chris Davies, who reportedly accepted Richmond's explanation.
Richardson said that while the club had not intended to make a mockery of the pre-season and had been forced into a difficult position through injuries during the game, he accepted the AFL's concerns at the unprofessional appearance of the club's conduct during the last quarter."

Kinda sums it up to me. Dimma should retract his ridiculous attempt to justify that calamity