AS IF Richmond needed anything else to cause them even more pain.
The Tigers have had the season from hell in 2016. Well, the season from hell would probably be an improvement on what they’ve gone through this year.
Seven wins and 11 losses from 18 games means they’ll miss the finals for the first time since 2012. They’ve been bundled out in the first week of the finals for the past three years, but this year was supposed to be different.
It’s been different alright. They won’t even get the chance to lose a final this time around.
Richmond, the board and coach Damien Hardwick have been savaged in the wake of their humiliating 111-23 loss at the hands of the GWS Giants last Saturday. Hardwick only signed a contract extension in March that was going to keep him at the club until the end of 2018, but whether that eventuates remains to be seen.
They’ve been hammered in the press, and while Hardwick recently labelled all that criticism “external noise”, there’s no way it can’t be taking its toll on himself, the players and everyone else at the club.
Enter Jonathan Brown.
Just when you thought Richmond’s current woes were enough for one season, the former Brisbane Lion came in and levelled the club with a low blow by dragging up something from the past.
Speaking on Nova 100’s Chrissie, Sam and Browny on Friday morning, Brown said he was sick of seeing Richmond in the news.
“Probably the easiest final I ever played in was the 2001 preliminary final against Richmond, easiest final, we could have shut it down at half time we were that far in front. I think we won by about 70 points (Brisbane won by 68 points, 136-68) ,” Brown said
“I’m just sick of reading about Richmond every single bloody day.
“What they roll up every weekend is absolute tripe.”
Labelling a game against Richmond as the easiest final he’s ever played has to hurt considering the experience Brown has when it comes to playing during September. He played in four consecutive grand finals from 2001-2004 — including three straight premierships — so he’s clearly got a few finals games to choose from.
Ex-Tiger and now media personality Kevin Bartlett has repeatedly lashed his former club since their loss to GWS on the weekend. He labelled their effort “pathetic” and has since called on the board to show the fans and members its vision for the future.
Brown said media scrutiny was more likely to affect players’ performance than trouble at board level, but recognised instability of any kind isn’t helpful.
“What has more of an impact (on the playing group) is the media speculation about their own performance, but I will say to be a successful club it does help if you’ve got a stable board and you’ve got a board that doesn’t stick their nose in too much,” Brown said.
“You do need a strong board, you need a uniform board, because of the old saying the fish rots from the head. That’s true in football talk as well.
“I’m not saying the board members from Richmond are poor, however you would prefer as a player to have board stability, put it that way.”
The Tigers play Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/jonathan-brown-added-insult-to-injury-for-richmond/news-story/e1402f0b9428458ac52ec1eecae9beb9
