From the Herald-Sun/MX this arvo. Rawlings now outright favourite for the job with the bookies.JADE Rawlings' bid to permanently take Richmond's reins received a huge tick from star recruit Ben Cousins and the bookies today.
Rawlings was rated an $8.50 chance by Sportingbet to be the next full-time coach when Terry Wallace left the post and was brought in to $6.50 when he was made caretaker.
But after the five-point win over the Dons yesterday, he is now outright favourite at $2.50, ahead of Nathan Buckley at $5 and Tigers assistant David King at $9.
Cousins said he couldn’t endorse anyone for the gig, but said of Rawlings: "He’s done a huge job."
Cousins said having some success had improved morale.
"Winning is not everything, it is the only thing," he said on radio station Nova 100.
Rawlings declared he was desperate to continue leading the club after yesterday's win.
The Tigers led by 23 points at the 23-minute mark of the last term, and just hung on in the desperate final seconds.
Forward Jack Riewoldt was the six-goal hero, Shane Edwards took the last-gasp defensive mark, and Trent Cotchin has run into excellent form.
Rawlings has reinvigorated No.1 draft pick Brett Deledio as a bone fide midfielder, and revealed post-match he threatened him with demotion to Coburg only three weeks ago.
The Tigers hierarchy now rates Rawlings, who is now seen as the equal of any other Richmond coaching candidate.
The Tigers are finally playing intense, tackle-first football with a young side showing sides of improvement.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25838491-19742,00.html