The “great problem” that Richmond hasBy Andrew Slevison
SEN
31 May 2019Tim Watson and Garry Lyon believe coach Damien Hardwick has some healthy competition for spots at Richmond.
The Tigers dropped Daniel Rioli for tonight’s Round 11 clash with North Melbourne after he returned for last weekend’s Dreamtime meeting with Essendon following injury and a week in the VFL.
Lyon posed the question: “No Dan Rioli, what do you make of that?”
To which Watson replied: “I tell you what I make of it, I say the standards and the benchmark has lifted at Richmond.
“If he doesn’t deliver what Damien Hardwick wants, and he obviously didn’t deliver what he wants, he’s saying, ‘I’ve got Liam Baker doing that now’.
“He did the same thing with Shai Bolton. He said Shai Bolton was doing a lot of great things at the lower level but he wasn’t doing his tackling and that type of thing.
“Rioli comes back into the side (last week). You would think Rioli back into the side, premiership player, he’s not going to go out of the team.
“That’s a great sign, though isn’t it? When you can apply that type of pressure to your players for a spot in the side.”
Rioli has been replaced by fellow premiership Tiger Dan Butler who will be determined to re-establish himself in Hardwick’s 22, according to Lyon.
“Butler comes in, Rioli goes out, so it’s a beautiful shot across the bow,” Lyon added.
“He’s just gone, ‘Right, you small forwards, there is competition for spots here’.
“How do you reckon Dan Butler is going to play tonight? Like his life depends on it.”
The former Melbourne captain also believes what is happening at Richmond is poles apart to the situation Adelaide has had recently with their senior players.
“Can I compare it to Bryce Gibbs? Rioli comes in and goes out,” Lyon said.
“Bryce Gibbs is dropped twice, doesn’t really know why, has the meeting with the coach, goes back to the SANFL, plays one game and then has a bye, and now he’s back in.
“Tell me about selection integrity there. Polar opposite to what we are seeing at Richmond.”
Essendon great Watson said further: “All those small forwards playing currently are doing exactly what they are required to do to keep their place in the side because they know the pressure is on.
“It’s a great problem to have.”
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/05/31/the-great-problem-that-richmond-has/
