Hardwick wants dour struggle against CrowsBy AAP+
28/04/2017 Damien Hardwick is warning Richmond to play to their strengths and avoid a shootout in their AFL match of the round against Adelaide.
Sunday’s blockbuster at Adelaide Oval features the Crows, the AFL’s highest-scoring team, against the Tigers, who boast the most miserly defence after five rounds.
Along with Geelong, they are the AFL’s only unbeaten teams.
Adelaide have scored the most by a significant margin and that puts them top on percentage.
While the Tigers have also averaged more than 100 points per game – a healthy output – more significantly they have the AFL’s best defensive record.
“We wouldn’t be hoping for a shootout,” Hardwick said.
“We’re going over there to win, don’t get me wrong, but we have to stop them to win.
“Ideally we probably want the game to be more of a dour-type affair, if we can.”
Adelaide will start warm favourites, but Hardwick said his team will attack the challenge with confidence.
“Our boys are up for it, they’re excited about a really high-quality side,” he said.
“We give ourselves every chance.”
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin did not train on Friday, but is expected to play.
Hardwick added fellow star midfielder Dustin Martin was continuing to improve after nursing a groin problem through the Anzac eve win over Melbourne.
One of the biggest challenges for the Tigers will be Crows excitement machine Eddie Betts, who leads the AFL goalkicking.
Hardwick said they have players who match up well on the small forward, but acknowledged the dangers that Betts poses.
“He just takes a minute to get off the leash and kick a lot of goals, very quickly,” Hardwick said.
“We’ll have plans in place for when he’s deep and up the ground, because he’s very clever around stoppages as well.
“But his ability to win one-on-one contests is probably what concerns us most.
“If the ball’s in his hands, I’m worried.”
At the other end of the ground, young Tigers small forwards Daniel Rioli, Jason Costagna and Dan Butler are also making their mark.
“What I like about how he plays, he has a propensity to make players around him better, just through his touch,” Hardwick said of Rioli.
“He’s one of those guys that you probably have to encourage to be a little bit more selfish at stages, instead of … providing opportunities to others.
“I’d rather have him that way than the opposite.”
While the Tigers have a healthy list, ruck-forward Ben Griffiths is out indefinitely because of concussion.
Hardwick also revealed that ruckman Shaun Hampson suffered another setback last week as he struggles to overcome a long-term back injury.
https://www.sportsnews.com.au/afl/hardwick-wants-dour-struggle-against-crows/381838
