'We're all big boys': Dimma defends firing back at BrownDamian Hardwick says its his job to defend his players from media criticism
By AAP
11 August 2021RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick is adamant he'll continue to go in to bat for his players amid queries over whether he gets too personal when publicly defending his charges.
Hardwick has received criticism after taking umbrage to Fox Footy commentator Jonathan Brown's suggestion out-of-form forward Tom Lynch be moved up the ground during Saturday's win over North Melbourne.
In his post-match press conference, Hardwick suggested Brisbane great Brown consider "putting his hand up to coach" as it was "easy to sit there and make judgement calls".
Hardwick previously had a crack at David Schwarz in August 2020 over comments the former Demons forward made about Lynch, while he criticised Sydney counterpart John Longmire's defensive set-up after a game against Swans last July - though he later conceded the latter comments were out of line.
Hardwick on Wednesday emphasised that backing his players was a key part of his job.
"Not really my concern. My job is to support my players, end of story," Hardwick said.
"If people get sensitive to it then part and parcel of the job as far as I'm concerned.
"We're all big boys, I'm sure Jonno Brown's OK with it.
"He'll call me a d***head the next time he sees me and I'll probably call him one as well - so we move on pretty quickly."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/662972/-we-re-all-big-boys-dimma-defends-firing-back-at-brown