Hartigan takes a step up
3:19:46 PM Wed 10 May, 2006
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to richmondfc.com.au
Richmond youngster Brent Hartigan says he wants to be part of a Tiger defensive unit that opposition sides fear.
Speaking to richmondfc.com.au, Hartigan said he is relishing the opportunity to play in the club's back six, adding that he wants the defensive team to build a reputation as an uncompromising unit.
"I'm really enjoying the defensive role and I think the back six are playing good footy. We talk together and we want to become a hard, tough defence and we want forwards coming up against us saying, 'it's going to be a pretty tough day for us today against Richmond'," Hartigan said.
"I'm really enjoying the freedom to run off, be creative and take a risk."
Hartigan, who won 21 disposals against Essendon at the MCG last Saturday night - his best performance thus far in 2006 - said he was fully aware he needed to take his game to the next level this year.
"I think I have to get that level now, being a third-year player and there are several of us that are around our age and we've got to take the next step for our club to get better and keep improving," Hartigan said.
"It was a bit of a slow start (for me). I didn't play the first game and I tried to work my way back in … I was just working at getting my defensive pressure right and the rest will look after itself.
"It's a bit of a squeeze now with positions in the side, so I've got to go out there and try and play my best game every week now.
"(Richmond coach) Terry (Wallace) was pretty happy with the run and carry I provided and also being able to play and settle in different positions. At one stage, I was playing up on the wing and half-forward, which I haven't experienced much in the past.
After playing 19 matches in his first AFL season in 2004, Hartigan battled hamstring problems last year and managed just eight appearances. But he said a smarter approach to his pre-season has helped his cause in 2006.
"Having the hamstring last year wasn't ideal early in the season, but I just tried to work harder in the pre-season and I was speaking with the conditioning staff, so I've tried to manage my body and make it stronger," Hartigan said.
"It's my first full pre-season, so I'm feeling the benefits of it now.
"I had a body that needed a lot of extra attention and I had to look after it a bit better and now I know my body and know what I can do with it."
Hartigan said the club remained positive during the winless opening three rounds of the season and this was an important factor in helping to create a turnaround with three successive wins.
"We've always been a pretty upbeat, tight bunch of guys and everyone gets along really well and enjoys spending time together and we just knew that we needed to put our heads down and our butts up and we'll get ourselves out of it," Hartigan said.
"It wasn't a massive hole that we were in and Terry kept stressing to us to keep working hard on the track and that's been a major focus - going out on the Wednesday and working really hard and putting the way we train into games.
"Winning a few games, getting the confidence and getting the ball rolling has helped."
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