Damien Hardwick is ‘too supportive’ of Richmond’s playing group, says Tigers legend Kevin BartlettBen Cotton and Ben Waterworth
Foxsports
15th September 2016RICHMOND great Kevin Bartett says coach Damien Hardwick has been “too supportive” of the playing list, labelling 2017 a make or break year.
“The attitude at Richmond this year has been all wrong and the coach has to make sure he does something about it, because he’s got 12 months to get it right,” Bartlett told foxfooty.com.au.
“Next year is a big year for Damien, because he’s got to get it right. If he doesn’t get it right in 2017, he won’t be there in 2018 — irrespective of what the contracts are.”
Barlett said the players weren’t playing for Hardwick across a disappointing year, where the Tigers missed the finals.
“What worries me most of all is the unacceptable attitude of the players and the way they’ve approached the game,” he said.
“It looked like half the time they were disinterested and not playing as a unit. You’ve got to have some pride in the way you play and willingness to compete.”
Hardwick told AFL 360 in August that Richmond’s list was as good as he’s had at his disposal.
“He said a few weeks ago he had the best list of players and talent he’s had since he’s been coaching the club. He said that publicly, but I’d be surprised if he thought that privately,” Bartlett said.
“Then after the Swans he said they weren’t very good and we don’t have enough good players and we need to rebrand, restamp the Richmond Football Club. You can’t send out mixed messages.
“Richmond has got a strong list, but there’s not enough evidence of it. You’ve got to be honest to yourself and honest to the players.”
Richmond slid to 13th on the ladder in 2016 with an 8-14 record after playing finals in the previous three seasons.
Hardwick was handed a two-year contract extension in the pre-season, tying him to the club until the end of 2018.
There has been much speculation that Richmond should look at trading key personnel, most notably Brett Deledio, in a bid to rebuild their list.
But Bartlett does not agree with that strategy.
“I’ve always been of the opinion that you don’t try and trade away your best players,” he said.
“The Tigers have five top-line players: Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Brett Deledio. I personally would hang on to those five and everyone else it up for grabs.
“But there have got to be some tough decisions made at Tigerland and what direction they want to take the club in, because they are a million miles away.
“It’s fanciful to think they’ll play finals next year, they’re more likely to finish bottom four.”
Richmond has already made list changes, informing Liam McBean and Adam Marcon they won’t be offered new contracts for 2017. Troy Chaplin announced his retirement earlier in the season.
“When you consider a side like the Western Bulldogs, who have had a serious injury run this year, and the way they play each week — they put themselves on the line and play together with terrific enthusiasm,” Bartlett said.
“They have a fantastic urgency to play for one another. That’s not the Richmond Football Club, even though it’s had a few injuries and played some new players.”
Richmond appointed Neil Balme to the role of General Manager of Football earlier this week as part of CEO Brendan Gale’s revamp of the club’s football department which has undertaken a full review.
“They’ve got to work out why a bunch of players that most people think have a certain amount of talent played so consistently poorly,” Bartlett said.
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