Hardwick's post-match media conference / Thumping loss doesn't reflect progress

[one-eyed]

Thumping loss doesn't reflect Tigers' progress

afl.com.au
30 April 2017

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick is adamant Sunday night's 76-point thumping at the hands of premiership favourites Adelaide isn't a true reflection of his side's progress.

As they have done with every team they have played this season, the Crows tore the Tigers apart with their slick ball movement and transition out of defence.

The Tigers have just six days to regroup ahead of another tough encounter with reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs, at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

"We're a lot better than what we displayed tonight," Hardwick said.

"Adelaide probably played, apart from that first quarter, a complete brand of football that showed us a lesson.

"But it also shows us a way forward, which in a funny way you're half excited to give them the next chance to make sure we give our fans a good crack against the Bulldogs."

The Tigers have enjoyed an impressive start to the season with five straight wins to give their fans plenty of hope.

Their victory over poor travellers West Coast at the MCG was their only win against a team that made the finals last year.

The Tigers suffered a harsh reality check in front of a crowd of more than 51,000 people at Adelaide Oval against a team Hardwick rated as the best in the competition.

"We had a lot of passengers today," Hardwick said.

"There's no worse feeling as a coach than when you start throwing magnets around.

"You're trying to put belief in your players, but then you feel you need to try something to stimulate something.

"You know as soon as that starts to happen, you go to A, B, C, D, E, F, G, but the reality is, the die is cast a lot of these times if you're not getting your hand on the ball."

The Tigers burst out of the gates and took a nine-point lead into quarter-time.

But the Crows gained the momentum through an improved work-rate and smashed the Tigers at the contest.

"The reality is we're 5-1 now," Hardwick said.

"We've played some pretty good footy over the first five to six weeks of the season.

"We've got some reasonable performances at VFL level so we'll be looking there to get some players that are in some good form to play.

"We can't afford to have players play like they did tonight for a sustained period.

"We've been fortunate at this stage we haven't had the need to call upon our VFL players, but we'll certainly have a look and see what presents itself this week."

Hardwick singled out skipper Trent Cotchin for praise as he racked up 26 possessions, including 15 contested, to go with nine tackles.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-30/thumping-loss-doesnt-reflect-tigers-progress

[one-eyed]

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick concedes Adelaide in a different class

MICHELANGELO RUCCI, CHRIS VERNUCCIO,
Herald Sun
May 1, 2017

A WEEK that started with great anticipation turned into a nightmare for Richmond after Adelaide dished out a 76-point hiding and Toby Nankervis certain to come under match review panel scrutiny.

The Tigers went into the Adelaide Oval clash unbeaten but were handed a brutal reality check where they sit in the competition by the Crows, who sit atop the ladder as the only team on 6-0.

After leading by nine points at quarter-time, it was all downhill for Richmond as Adelaide piled on a 15.14 to 4.1.

It was an extraordinary turnaround after the Tigers were smashed in contested possessions (-37) and inside 50s (-20) and the disposal count (-152) in those three quarters.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lamented he had “too many passengers” but said the result does not reflect where the 5-1 Tigers truly stand in this year’s premiership race.

He insisted Richmond is “a lot better than we showed tonight”.

“We are not that far off the pace,” Hardwick said.

“The statistics tell it — we were belted in contested ball in the second and third quarters.

“And we were outscored by 70-odds points while they belted us around the contest.”

Richmond has an added concern with Nankervis likely to be in trouble for a swinging elbow to the face of Crows opponent David Mackay.

Frustration got the better of the Tiger ruckman when Mackay held onto a tackle for too long.

The incident saw Mackay come off the field with a blood nose.

Hardwick paid tribute to captain and Brownlow medallist Trent Cotchin for putting “his head down” to set an example for the Tigers against the hardworking Crows.

“But we had a lot of passengers tonight to be fair,” said Hardwick, who felt unable to make any moves to change the game while so many players were out of the contest.

“We’ve played the No. 1 team in the AFL — and we’ll take a lesson from that.”

Hardwick recognised Adelaide as the unquestionable benchmark in the 18-team competition.

“They are top of the ladder for a reason. And we understand how they play,” Hardwick said.

“Their ability to score — and score quickly. Their potency to open up the middle of the ground (with handball through the midfield), we understood that.

“We know how they play. But trying to stop that is a different match.”

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-coach-damien-hardwick-concedes-adelaide-in-a-different-class/news-story/40ac646c5632e8750222656a3b56f71d

[one-eyed]

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick tormented by Adelaide's domination

Ashley Porter
The Age
May 1, 2017

Damien Hardwick said watching his unbeaten side get ripped apart by a ruthless Adelaide was the greatest torment in his 163 games as coach of Richmond.

Hardwick said the Tigers went into the game knowing what the Crows were capable of, and how they executed their game plan, but was left feeling helpless at times during the 76-point loss.

Full of praise for the Crows, he said there was no worse feeling for a coach when you start throwing magnets around.

"You try to put belief in your players, but then you feel like you have got to try and find something and stimulate something," he said.

"You know as soon as that starts to happen you can go to A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H but the the reality is that the die is cast a lot of the time.

"If you are not getting your hand on the ball through the middle of the ground or defensive end you can change the magnets as much as you want. You have just got to get the ball and get it going your way. We just weren't able to do that.

"There is no doubt that their workrate from contest to contest certainly taught our blokes a lesson. We will certainly learn a fair bit off the tape.

"They are the best side in the competition. Are we 70 or 80 points off them? No, I don't think so. We did not play anywhere near our best footy. Our first quarter reflected that we play good, hard, disciplined footy. They lifted their workrate and we just could not go with them."

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-coach-damien-hardwick-tormented-by-adelaides-domination-20170430-gvvy05.html

[Diocletian]

Oh look, they're a bloody good side...

[WilliamPowell]

While part of me agrees that yesterday shouldn't mean we ignore the improvements we've made eg F50 defensive pressure, better game style etc

Facts are after taking some baby steps forward in the first 5 rounds we took one mighty leap backwards

Let's see how we respond, that will tell us more than yesterday did (IMHO)

[Tigeritis™©®]

Reality tells us two things............ 

1) Hardwick must go (who else would want Morris in the team and constantly overlooks Miles)

2) If any other team may have forgotten, Adelaide just reminded the whole competition;
We still are just a carton of eggs.

[Simonator]

While part of me agrees that yesterday shouldn't mean we ignore the improvements we've made eg F50 defensive pressure, better game style etc

Facts are after taking some baby steps forward in the first 5 rounds we took one mighty leap backwards

Let's see how we respond, that will tell us more than yesterday did (IMHO)

I really don't see it as a leap backwards. I see a young side who will be inconsistent came up against the best side in the comp ( quite easily the best atm) and got well beaten for 3 quarters. It's not a step backwards because this is where we are at , probably top 8 but can't match it with the best for 4 quarters. I like Dimma said I can't wait to see how the go against the dogs.

[🏅Dooks]

While part of me agrees that yesterday shouldn't mean we ignore the improvements we've made eg F50 defensive pressure, better game style etc

Facts are after taking some baby steps forward in the first 5 rounds we took one mighty leap backwards

Let's see how we respond, that will tell us more than yesterday did (IMHO)

I really don't see it as a leap backwards. I see a young side who will be inconsistent came up against the best side in the comp ( quite easily the best atm) and got well beaten for 3 quarters. It's not a step backwards because this is where we are at , probably top 8 but can't match it with the best for 4 quarters. I like Dimma said I can't wait to see how the go against the dogs.

Young side? Just because you play a small handfull of 20 year olds doesnt nean we are a young side.

[Diocletian]

Morris ain't no minor that's for sure....

[Simonator]

True. Maybe not young but inexperienced. So many players with less than 50 and plenty with less than 100. Nankervis has only played 18 games !!

[Gracie]

True. Maybe not young but inexperienced. So many players with less than 50 and plenty with less than 100. Nankervis has only played 18 games !!

we had 8 players with 35 games experience or less. Adelaide had two. They had three between 35 to 50

[georgies31]

Like I said question is how we respond next 2 weeks if we go in our shell or we continue on.That's the big issue for me.

[(•))(©™]

While part of me agrees that yesterday shouldn't mean we ignore the improvements we've made eg F50 defensive pressure, better game style etc

Facts are after taking some baby steps forward in the first 5 rounds we took one mighty leap backwards

Let's see how we respond, that will tell us more than yesterday did (IMHO)

Those "improvements" U desperately refer to, are only applicable to bottom 8 sides.

To translate, same story different cover.

[lamington]

Morris to come in was a huge mistake. Ellis playing on Lynch was a mistake. The vlastuin as a forward move is a mistake. Miles is in our best 22 and can jag a goal so I expect him to be the first player back in to go against the dogs

[(•))(©™]

He's gonna have a look at the vfl and see what presents itself this week.

Wtf does that even stuffn mean?

That he has nfi.