March hits back at Tiger critics
ADAM COOPER, AAP
April 20, 2007
RICHMOND president Gary March has hit back at media critics of the club.
He said commentators had gone "out of control" and written a "lot of garbage" about the Tigers this week, in relation to the club's playing list and a rivalry with the Western Bulldogs.
March was critical of an article written by former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon, who said Hawthorn's young playing list compared favourably to Richmond's given that they began rebuilding at the same time.
"That was completely unresearched and without foundation," March said.
"Garry attacked our recruiting and whether we were recruiting young players for the sake of recycled players."
He refuted Lyon's assertion the Tigers had not drafted well in recent years, as midfielder Brett Deledio won the 2005 Rising Star award while Andrew Raines was the runner-up in last year's award.
He said Richmond had six Rising Star nominations in the past two years, the equal of any other club.
"So to say we're not recruiting and developing youth is just totally unfounded," March said.
"He (Lyon) lined our list up against Hawthorn's.
"Hawthorn debuted 16 players in the last two years and Richmond 15, so I don't know where the comparisons are.
"We know where we're going as a club, we're confident about our drafting and where we're going."
Richmond coach Terry Wallace, who coached the Bulldogs on that day in 2001, said media outlets wanted to aim "the cannons" at the Tigers after three straight losses.
Wallace said he had warned his players earlier this week of the coming scrutiny, and said the club just had to "batten down the hatches".
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