Hardwick's post-match media conference / 'We had a really good pre-season'

[one-eyed]

‘We had a really good pre-season’

Sam Edmund,
Herald Sun
March 11, 2017

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says his side is “reasonably placed” ahead of the Tigers’ make-or-break season.

Hardwick, in the final year of his contract at a club desperate for final success, gathered his players after the loss to Collingwood to close the book on the pre-season.

The coach told his players he was encouraged by wins against Adelaide and Port Adelaide and their fightback against the Magpies ahead of the March 23 Round 1 meeting with Carlton.

“We went through that with our players. I think we had a really good pre-season; some of the things we looked to work on over the summer we’ve ticked off and our form has been pretty good too,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do in a lot of areas. Coaches will always say that, but I think our players can walk away pretty happy with the pre-season they’ve had, knowing we’re looking to take that into Thursday week (against Carlton).”

Jack Riewoldt hurt his ankle late in the seven-point loss to the Pies after earlier being reported for rough conduct for a late collision with Jackson Ramsay.

Riewoldt appeared to almost stop by the time he arrived late for the marking contest with Ramsay and he would be very unlucky to cop a suspension.

Hardwick was hopeful neither would stop Riewoldt from facing the Blues, saying his star forward wanted to return despite the ankle problem.

“He was fine. He was trying to get back on in the end, but it was a conservative approach by us. He just came down awkwardly,” he said.

Hardwick was left to lament a shocking first quarter than cost his side the game, with the Magpies storming to a 34-point lead after only 18 minutes while monopolising possession.

“We gave up 123 uncontested marks. That wouldn’t happen again in a hurry I wouldn’t imagine,” he said.

“Defensively we’ll be a lot sharper than that next time. To give up 123 uncontested marks is world record number, really. We were happy we responded, but any time you give a side a 6-7 goal start you’re going to struggle.”

Richmond has two senior spots on its list to fill and Hardwick pointed to Jason Castagna, Mabior Chol and Ivan Soldo, who produced a late cameo yesterday, as among those in contention.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/damien-hardwick-happy-with-richmonds-preseason-after-jlt-series-loss-to-collingwood/news-story/a3a778822ed43e615203f133ccd4cd3a

[one-eyed]

Saturday's game against the Magpies marked Richmond's only loss of the pre-season after they defeated Adelaide and Port Adelaide in their earlier pre-season games.

Hardwick said he was content with the Tigers' preparation ahead of their season-opening showdown with Carlton on March 23.

"We're reasonably placed at this stage. We've still got a lot of work to do in a lot of areas, coaches will always say that," Hardwick said.

"But I think our players can walk away from the pre-season pretty happy with the pre-season they've had thus far, but we're looking forward to taking that into Thursday week.

Kamdyn McIntosh, Oleg Markov, Ben Lennon and Ivan Maric all played in a VFL practice match against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, with the Tigers opting to get more minutes into those players via their reserves team after limited game time in the first two JLT matches.

Lennon's performance was particularly noteworthy, with the powerful forward booting seven goals to push his claims for round one.

Ben Griffiths, who had groin surgery in the off-season, was another Tiger who could have played against the Magpies and will be given every chance to prove his fitness for the game against the Blues.

"Once again we've got some good headaches to have," Hardwick said.

The Tigers have two spots available on the primary list, after they placed ruckman Shaun Hampson (back) on the long-term injury list, with rookies Jason Castagna, Mabior Chol and Ivan Soldo all pressing their claims.

Chol was especially impressive, with his ability to provide a target and provide a mobile option up forward one of the standout features through the game.

"They're good questions to have leading into round one," Hardwick said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-11/sore-jack-riewoldt-a-certain-starter-for-round-one

[big tone]

‘We had a really good pre-season’

Sam Edmund,
Herald Sun
March 11, 2017

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says his side is “reasonably placed” ahead of the Tigers’ make-or-break season.

Hardwick, in the final year of his contract at a club desperate for final success, gathered his players after the loss to Collingwood to close the book on the pre-season.

The coach told his players he was encouraged by wins against Adelaide and Port Adelaide and their fightback against the Magpies ahead of the March 23 Round 1 meeting with Carlton.

“We went through that with our players. I think we had a really good pre-season; some of the things we looked to work on over the summer we’ve ticked off and our form has been pretty good too,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do in a lot of areas. Coaches will always say that, but I think our players can walk away pretty happy with the pre-season they’ve had, knowing we’re looking to take that into Thursday week (against Carlton).”

Jack Riewoldt hurt his ankle late in the seven-point loss to the Pies after earlier being reported for rough conduct for a late collision with Jackson Ramsay.

Riewoldt appeared to almost stop by the time he arrived late for the marking contest with Ramsay and he would be very unlucky to cop a suspension.

Hardwick was hopeful neither would stop Riewoldt from facing the Blues, saying his star forward wanted to return despite the ankle problem.

“He was fine. He was trying to get back on in the end, but it was a conservative approach by us. He just came down awkwardly,” he said.

Hardwick was left to lament a shocking first quarter than cost his side the game, with the Magpies storming to a 34-point lead after only 18 minutes while monopolising possession.

“We gave up 123 uncontested marks. That wouldn’t happen again in a hurry I wouldn’t imagine,” he said.

“Defensively we’ll be a lot sharper than that next time. To give up 123 uncontested marks is world record number, really. We were happy we responded, but any time you give a side a 6-7 goal start you’re going to struggle.”

Richmond has two senior spots on its list to fill and Hardwick pointed to Jason Castagna, Mabior Chol and Ivan Soldo, who produced a late cameo yesterday, as among those in contention.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/damien-hardwick-happy-with-richmonds-preseason-after-jlt-series-loss-to-collingwood/news-story/a3a778822ed43e615203f133ccd4cd3a

I know it's wishful thinking but hasn't Hardwick got 2 years left of his contract not 1 like the artical suggests?
How does an artical go to print with a huge error like that in it?