Richmond coach Damien Hardwick explains why he won’t rein in suspended Tigers defender Rhyan MansellMarc McGowan
May 12, 2022 - 1:21PM
NCA NewsWireRichmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick won’t demand Rhyan Mansell changes the way he plays despite him being suspended for an ugly cheap shot on Magpie Jack Ginnivan.
The fringe Tigers defender copped a one-match ban after twice deliberately striking Ginnivan to the back of the head with his right forearm and elbow in scenes not seen in the AFL for some time.
Match review officer Michael Christian assessed the incident as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact, which triggered the sanction.
The exciting Collingwood forward has become a lightning rod for headlines with his precocious playing style and mannerisms and was on the end of physical treatment from Richmond for much of Saturday’s game.
“Ryan was disappointed. He came and apologised (but) he is a fierce competitor. Sometimes you step over the line,” Hardwick said.
“He gets suspended for it and he deserved the week, no question. He was really disappointed in his actions but the fact of the matter is Rhyan Mansell, to succeed, has got to be tough and uncompromising.
“Now, he overstepped the line. Every now and then players are going to do this, whether it’s Rhyan Mansell or another fierce competitor.
“I can’t ask him to take that away from his game because otherwise he won’t be playing AFL footy.
“Just make sure it’s within the rules or pushing the rules as close as you can be to that line. We don’t want to go over it.”
Mansell, 21, was playing just his second senior game of the season and 15th overall since being plucked out of the SANFL as a pre-season supplemental selection period recruit just before last season.
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-richmond-coach-damien-hardwick-explains-why-he-wont-rein-in-suspended-tigers-defender-rhyan-mansell/news-story/45d55399866f9c3a401a1104236bc71d