Midfield rebirth key to Caddy Tiger moveJay Clark
Herald Sun
February 1, 2017RICHMOND recruit Josh Caddy says the Tigers can form one of the AFL’s most formidable midfield combinations next season as they aggressively push for a return to finals.
Entering his third club in his seventh season, Caddy said he was initially reluctant to leave the Cats, but made the shock switch in part to reclaim a permanent midfield berth, alongside childhood friend and former Gold Coast teammate Dion Prestia.
And the clearance-winner has already made a strong connection with coach Damien Hardwick, saying: “He is very personal and close with the players, probably more so than other coaches than I’ve had”.
Caddy, 24, said he was not satisfied playing forward 50 per cent of his game time last year at Geelong and was looking forward to a more permanent onball role.
“You deal with it, get over it and just play, and that’s what I did in the second half of the season,” Caddy said.
“But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit frustrated at times with playing a lot of time forward last year.
“I missed a couple of weeks with injury and Sam Menegola came into the side and was playing really well and had to stay there, which was fair enough.
“And Scotty Selwood started playing a tagging role, which probably wasn’t me either, but I did get frustrated, no doubt.
“I think playing in the midfield allows me to play my best footy and I believe I can give a team value in the midfield.”
About changing colours again, the No. 7 draft pick said: “It’s not ideal moving clubs regularly”.
“I’m at my third club and I’m only 24, but I just had a good think about it and I thought it made a lot of sense.”
The Tigers will wear a new PUMA playing jumper in 2017, featuring a more vibrant yellow stripe.
Josh Caddy shrugs a tackle during Richmond training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
The tough-nut said Richmond had the talent and the drive to win finals in 2017 after tumbling down the ladder and turning to youth in the second half of last year.
While Prestia has been on a modified program as he recovers from knee surgery mid-last year, Caddy said the early signs in match simulation training were encouraging.
“I believe we have got a really good group of midfielders and with a bit of luck with injury we can be one of the better midfields in the comp,” he said.
“Everyone was disappointed with last year, but they (Tigers) played finals the three seasons before that.
“Now we just want to play finals and turn things around from last year for our supporters who haven’t had much success for a long time.”
Thriving in his new environment, Caddy said he had not missed a single training session over summer and praised the style of new coach Hardwick, who survived a searching review of the football department late last season.
“He’s really approachable and he’s got good relationship with players,” he said.
“You feel really comfortable talking to him and respect very word he says too, because he has got that respect for you.
“He’s been really good for me and already I can’t wait to play for him.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/former-cat-josh-caddy-lured-to-richmond-by-promise-of-more-midfield-time/news-story/a18dd0a4cc6fea4419c80b3a003b02c4