‘I’d love to play under Dimma’: BrownyMax Laughton
FOX SPORTS
17 August 2016BRISBANE Lions champion Jonathan Brown says he would love to play under embattled Richmond coach Damien Hardwick.
Hardwick’s Tigers have slumped to an 8-12 record in 2016 after qualifying for three straight finals series, with some critics calling for change at the club.
But on Monday night’s On the Couch, Hardwick forecast a return to September action next season.
“I personally think it will be a quick bounce,” Hardwick told Fox Footy.
“I think we will be back in finals next year. I would be disappointed if we weren’t.
“The potential I see in the players … I think we will be playing finals next year.”
It was that sort of confidence in the players that pushed Brown to praise Hardwick on Nova 100’s Chrissie, Sam & Browny on Tuesday morning.
“I’d love to play with this bloke because he has been whacked around and has been fairly criticised … however a bloke to come out and back his team like, I wouldn’t mind playing for this bloke,” Brown said.
“(By saying) it’s OK to accept pressure, and don’t have to run away from the pressure, I think he is letting his boys know, we are not rebuilding for two or three years, we are coming back strong next year. As a supporter … I’d be pretty proud of my coach last night.”
The former Coleman medallist said he appreciated how direct Hardwick was about the topic of finals footy.
“I think he will receive some criticism about that but again, if I am one of his players, I don’t want him dilly dallying around that subject,” Brown said.
“I like that as a player, that is filling me with confidence, you know what we have delivered some absolutely bloody crap on the field this year but our coach is still backing us in which is good as a player.”
Brown connected Hardwick’s confidence to something legendary Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews told him early in his career on a similar topic.
“We were going well and we came up against a side, we were the favourites, that kept saying all week in the press that we are the underdogs we’ve got nothing to lose,” Brown said.
“Leigh Matthews got us in a meeting that Friday, that is an absolutely load of crap, you’ve got everything to lose.
“People who come out and say ah we’re the underdogs he said they are scared, they are afraid of the pressure, they won’t run towards the flames, they are not ready to accept the pressure, embrace the pressure, otherwise you won’t be able to perform under pressure.
“From that day on I used it as a thing, accept your expectations and take them on.”
Brown also praised Hardwick’s backing of captain Trent Cotchin who many have criticised during a disappointing season.
“I’ll tell you what I liked last night, he backed his captain in Trent Cotchin,” he said.
“(He) said he will definitely be the captain of the Richmond football club and was strong, was emphatic.
“If I’m Trent Cotchin sitting at home, Geez that gives me a lot of confidence, a lot of strength and security that I’m the right man for the job. Fantastic big tick there.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/brisbane-lions-champion-jonathan-brown-says-he-would-love-to-play-under-richmond-coach-damien-hardwick/news-story/05dc51d78450eeb9d3cfa7ae39af4b59
