Damien Hardwick says Richmond Tigers resurgence boils down to leadership and supportBy Mitchell Jones
11 August 2013This time last year the Tigers sat 13th on the ladder with just eight wins to their name, skip forward 12 months however, and Richmond occupy third spot on the ladder and looking to make a big impact in September.
But what has caused this turnaround in form?
Speaking on the AFL Footy Show on Thursday night, coach Damien Hardwick put the improvements down to leadership and support.
“It’s been a bit of a resurgence, it was a pretty horrific 12 months previous,” Hardwick said.
“Under some good leadership and guidance from Brendan Gale (CEO) and Peggy O’Neal (President) we’ve managed to stick fat,
“The emergence of our skipper (Trent Cotchin), Jack (Riewoldt) and Alex (Rance) have certainly taken charge and got us back to where we knew it could be”
Richmond failed to win another game after Round 20 last season leaving them with a disappointing season tally of 8-14, well down on internal and external expectations given they made the finals in 2015.
A reality that the club didn’t shy away from at the time.
“It was always going to be a stage we were challenged and it was, and it was tough times there’s no doubt about that.” Hardwick said.
“We spoke about it internally and then externally as well,”
The club re-signed Damien Hardwick at the start of the 2016 season to a two-year extension that many considered premature given what unfolded later that season.
However, Hardwick always believed his side was capable of what they are achieving today.
“We sort of believed in what we were doing although we had not quite the results we were after,” Hardwick said.
“I was pretty keen to get us back to finals,
“I was very confident in what we were doing, we had some hiccups along the way and our progression had been pretty linear up until that stage”
Hardwick’s persistence has certainly paid-off given his side is just a month away from a finals tilt that many predict could be their biggest in some years.
The coach however, is still keeping a lid on things.
“We’re really positive about where we are at the moment, but we still know we’ve got a fair way to go.” Hardwick said.
Not only is Hardwick hoping to achieve the ultimate success of a premiership for his players and club, but Richmond’s loyal yellow and black army who have had to endure so much in recent decades.
“It’s really exciting for our fans and they’ve hung tough over a 12 month block, and we’re looking forward to rewarding them with some good football going forward,” Hardwick said.
The Tigers travel to Simmonds Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on the Cats who are hot on their tails in fourth position.
If Hardwick and Trent Cotchin find themselves on that dais in the middle of the MCG on September 30, you can bank on one thing, the Tigers fans will be cheering and celebrating deep into the summer!
http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/08/11/09/57/damien-hardwick-happy-with-richmond-tigers-resurgence
