'We will learn from the Dogs' demise': Hardwick (afl site)

[one-eyed]

'We will learn from the Dogs' demise': Hardwick

afl.com.au
12 December 2017

THERE are lessons to be learned from the Western Bulldogs, but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is confident the Tigers won't suffer the same premiership hangover.

The Bulldogs slumped to 10th this season after breaking a 62-year premiership drought with a famous Grand Final win in 2016 over Sydney.

But Hardwick doesn't believe the same fate awaits the 2017 premiers.

"There are always going to be those comparisons ... and there's no doubt we will learn some things from the Bulldogs and their demise," Hardwick told The Hen House podcast.

"But there are some things that will hold us in good stead.

"Our leadership group is probably a little bit more mature than the Bulldogs had at that stage.

"We've got Trent (Cotchin), Jack (Riewoldt) and Alex (Rance) who are seasoned campaigners ... they'll crack the whip pretty strong."

Hardwick also pointed to the strength of the Tigers' VFL side who made it to the Grand Final, but suffered a nail-biting loss to Port Melbourne.

"(I could say) 'You know what boys? If you want to take it easy, I've got replacements ready to go'," the coach said.

"Competition for spots is incredibly important in a successful year."

While Hardwick is confident he has the talent within his group to challenge again, he concedes the biggest threat to the Tigers' premiership defence is complacency.

"We're really excited about (next) year but the fact of the matter is we've got to stay hungry and hunt the opposition as we did this year," he said.

"Nothing changes from our point of view.

"As soon as you think you're in the doorway of success, the door quickly slams in your face. So, we've got to make sure we don't think we're better than anyone else, we've got to work just as hard as everyone else and we've got to learn from everyone else.

"There are sides who did some things better than us so we'll go to school on those sides.

"That's where you get better."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-12-12/we-will-learn-from-the-dogs-demise-hardwick

[MintOnLamb]

Is this the beginning of a dynasty?

[yellowandback]

I'm pretty sure that the Bulldogs reserves played in a GF last year so I'm not sure that argument is nearly as strong as the one with regard to complacency.
They will also have to adjust to being the hunted next year as the new "prize" in the AFL, everyone loves to knock off the new benchmark.

[Stripes]

Competition for spots is the key. It's how the coaches create that culture where form is more important than reputation that will make the difference this year. I hope Miles and Lloyd work their ass off to fight their way back into the team only for others to knock them out of the side. I want the coaches to legitimately make every spot open and every spot up for grabs.

That's how we go back to back