Hardwick's press conference 16-8-18 / We've still got to settle on our best side

[one-eyed]

Dimma's presser today:

VIDEO: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2018-08-16/hardwick-previews-essendon

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Hardwick said despite sitting a game clear on top of the ladder and having locked up a top-two position, the reigning premiers still had work to do ahead of finals.

"We've still got to settle on our best side. We've still got to get those players available and playing their best footy, so there's always something riding on (the remaining matches)," he said.

"Our guys are a very proud group, very process driven, so we take the scoreboard out of it, so to speak, so they'll come out and play their best footy.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-16/safetyfirst-for-tigers-with-midfielder-ruled-out

[one-eyed]

Injuries a thorn in Richmond’s side

Andrew Faulkner
The Australian
August 17, 2018

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has claimed underdog status against the Bombers tonight and what’s more he’s done it with a straight face.

His Tigers might be the undisputed flag favourites but Hardwick says Essendon are playing better than anyone. Yes, they are 11th and, according to Champion Data, have a less than five per cent chance of playing finals.

But Hardwick said yesterday Essendon had made giant strides since losing to Richmond by 71 points on June 2.

“They’re probably in better form than us to be honest,” Hardwick said yesterday. “So we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.”

Coaches routinely overpraise their opponents before a match but Hardwick said it like he meant it.

And his point is supported by some evidence. Since the Tigers towelled up Essendon in round 11, both sides have won seven matches and lost two.

However drill down further and you’ll see that the Tigers have beaten Geelong (twice), Collingwood, Sydney and Adelaide in that period.

Whereas four of the Bombers’ seven wins have been against Brisbane, Gold Coast, Fremantle and St Kilda.

Richmond’s dubious underdog claims are perhaps more to do with what’s at stake at the MCG tonight: remaining in the finals race for Essendon and finishing first or second for Richmond.

“We’ve still got to settle on our best side,” Hardwick said when asked about what remained for the Tigers in the minor round.

Gee, poor old Richmond, the clubs ranked 2-18 say. Some challenge. But such is their depth, settling on a 22 is a headache for the Tigers’ selection panel.

Last week they made four unforced changes — and five in total — to the side that beat the desperate Cats the game before. The recast team beat the Suns by 74 points.

They still haven’t bedded down their line-up and made another five changes last night.

“I know the common perception is we’ve had a really good run with injuries, but the fact of the matter is we’ve had a lot of players out for chunks of the year,” Hardwick said.

“That gives us a great opportunity. Because you never know what circumstances are going to present with injury come the pointy end.

“So we’re finding that out at the moment, and it’s great (for players) to get opportunities to see what they can do in the big stuff.”

Onballers Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia (both hamstrings) will miss tonight’s match but Hardwick hoped both would play against the Bulldogs next week.

Defender David Astbury (Achilles) is another out but is only expected to miss tonight’s game. Kane Lambert (ankle) will likely be unavailable until the finals.

Ruckman Ivan Soldo makes way for the recovered Toby Nankervis. Also into the side are Sam Lloyd, tall defender Ryan Garthwaite, Liam Baker and Reece Conca.

“We’re in a really good position where we’ve got a lot of players who can come in and play roles for us,” Hardwick said.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/injuries-a-thorn-in-richmonds-side/news-story/95f81015be74bf0916dc20bcc4f5614e