Dimma's post-match presser:
VIDEO:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2017-07-16/round-17-hardwick-postmatch-------------------------------------------------------------
Damien Hardwick happy with win over Brisbane looking forward to GWS Giants testRebecca Williams,
Herald Sun
16 July 2017RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick declared the Tigers “owe” Greater Western Sydney ahead of Sunday’s big clash against the Giants as his team hit back against Brisbane after last week’s horror show.
The Tigers responded to last round’s capitulation to St Kilda with a 31-point victory against the Lions at Etihad Stadium to move into fifth place on the AFL ladder and stay in touch with the top four.
It sets up a critical clash on Sunday at the MCG with the third-placed Giants, who scored a three-point win over the Tigers when they last met in Sydney in Round 9.
“(It’s a) big game, GWS. They would be disappointed with their loss, probably just couldn’t capitalise on their chances they had and we probably owe them one as well,’’ Hardwick said.
“It’s going to be a huge contest, I just hope the fans come out and see a cracking game. It’s a really important game for both footy clubs.’’
While Hardwick remained frustrated by his team’s errors across half-forward and connections inside 50m against the Lions, he was happier with what his team delivered around the contest after being hammered in contested play against the Saints.
They won the contested possession count by 30 and the clearance tally 41-26.
“We had better balance in and around the contest and I thought that our guys hunted the contest a lot more,’’ Hardwick said.
“I think the only quarter we were a little bit down in that was the second quarter, but Brisbane upped their workrate and started to get some scoreboard ascendancy from that period, but I thought after that we were pretty strong in that facet of the game, which is good, we’ve just got to make sure we consistently take that forward.’’
Hardwick lauded the performance of midfield star Dustin Martin for his 40-possession and two-goal show, while also singling out captain Trent Cotchin (28 possessions and one goal) and Dion Prestia’s run-with role on Dayne Zorko, who was held to just 11 touches for the game.
“He (Martin) was really solid around the ball, he probably got to work I think the second half, a little better than the first, it was OK, but I thought he certainly for the contested ball that we were craving up and going a little more in the second half, third quarter, in particular,’’ Hardwick said.
“I thought Trent was outstanding, a bit more explosive in and around the middle a lot of the time. It was a good contest.
“I was really pleased with Dion’s game, for him to tag Zorko and keep him to 11 touches, I thought it was the best game that he has played for our footy club and I’m really happy that he got the performance that we were hoping he would bring.’’
Hardwick was also pleased with what Anthony Miles (24 possessions) delivered after his recall to the team.
“He was pretty solid, one thing ‘Milesy’ does very well is hunt the ball in and around the contest,’’ Hardwick said.
“He has been working really hard at VFL level at his spread away from the contest and I think that was evident today. So I was really pleased for him.’’
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/damien-hardwick-happy-with-win-over-brisbane-looking-forward-to-gws-giants-test/news-story/1a185a83a8479711a88ccfe75c478a5b
