No damage in 'culture' digrichmondfc.com.au
By Matt Burgan Fri 14 August, 2009
RICHMOND caretaker coach Jade Rawlings says the comments he made about the club having “cultural issues” last weekend will not damage his coaching prospects for 2010 and beyond.
Rawlings made the comments following Richmond’s 55-point loss to the Sydney Swans and he dismissed media speculation that the past two rounds – a win-after-the-siren against bottom-placed Melbourne and the disappointing loss to the Swans – had hurt his chances of taking on the job permanently next season.
“The club couldn’t be more thorough in their process and they said from the outset they won’t be drawn into media speculation,” Rawlings said.
He said it was up to others to judge if he had improved as a coach since taking over from Terry Wallace mid-season.
“I really, really enjoy what I do and seeing the players carry out and seeing improvement in individuals in the group,” he said.
“I don’t know if I’ve changed. I’d like to think I’m the same bloke, but as far as the skills set you pick up for coaching, there’s not much that can replicate sitting in the chair of being the senior coach and going through this procedure.
“It’s very full-on, but I like full-on.”
Asked who he believed had flourished under him since taking on the top job, Rawlings nominated ex-Bomber and first-year Tiger Tom Hislop.
“I think Hislop … he’s been able to play eight in a row now, since I’ve taken over,” he said.
“(But) it’s hard for me to say. I think the players can answer that more, but at the same time a lot of the guys who have got opportunities in the second half of the year have played well whilst Terry was coach as well.
“I’m not going to say that I’m the messiah that’s changed these individuals to becoming good players.”
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/82722/default.aspx
