Tigers will still play finals: HardwickHerald-Sun
11 April 2016DAMIEN Hardwick has guaranteed Richmond fans his club will still make September despite an early-season personnel shuffle.
The Tigers have hit Groundhog Day, besieged early in the year for the third consecutive season.
But Hardwick said on Sunday the injection of youth into some key roles would take patience — hence half a step back before two steps forward.
Small forwards Daniel Rioli and Jayden Short have come into the side, Ben Lennon is being tried at half back, and injuries have forced Kamdyn McIntosh into defence.
The Tigers had eight changes in Saturday’s team to the one that lost a third consecutive elimination final to North Melbourne.
Hardwick believes the Tigers can quickly school those players and surge back into September contention.
Patience is wearing thin among Richmond fans who believed they were in the premiership window but Hardwick believes they will understand.
“It’s not so much accepting it, it’s the reality of where we are at. Don’t get me wrong, we will still make the eight as far as I am concerned,’’ Hardwick said.
“The last three years we have been found short when the whips are cracking.
“We don’t want to make up the numbers, we want to be a legitimate contender.
“I have got no doubt we have got the personnel in place to take us forward, but there will be a little heartburn.”
Damien Hardwick tries to rally his players against the Crows. Picture: Getty Images
Hardwick hit the radio airwaves to push that message after media were banned from player interviews after Saturday’s loss to Adelaide.
The Tigers take on West Coast on Friday night at Subiaco Oval, with Hardwick’s immediate concern eradicating those unforced errors that cost them against the Crows.
“The decision-making errors we can live with at times, it was the skill execution yesterday,’’ he said.
“Champion Data has a stat called giveaways. We had 11 handball errors. The AFL average last year was four.
“To give up 11 handball chain errors that players should hit 99 per cent of the time, when we gave up that ball we were caught off side.
“It becomes infectious at stages. But they are a very resilient group. We have been in this situation before and we will get out of it.
“We will travel over to Perth and get the result we are after.”
Brett Deledio remains several weeks away, while Ivan Maric would be unlikely to play Friday off a five-day break after a VFL return yesterday.
Hardwick admits his continuing absence and lack of quick progress is disheartening.
“He did use the big ball yesterday (after kicking a children’s ball) but it is one where it’s incredibly frustrating for us and Brett,’’ Hardwick said.
“It was a big step yesterday but he hasn’t played much footy, only a half over the pre-season.
“He is an incredibly important player for us but we want to make sure when he’s available to play we want it to be for the rest of the year.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/damien-hardwick-is-confident-richmond-will-play-finals-this-season/news-story/04b26c38a79acc19019190d3b3e63697
