Hardwick's press conference / Midfield battle looms large; backs AFL drug policy

[one-eyed]

Dimma's presser today ...

VIDEO: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2015-07-02/hardwick-press-conference-july-2nd

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Midfield battle looms large for Tigers

afl.com.au 
July 2, 2015 11:52 AM

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick believes this Saturday’s clash with Greater Western Sydney will be won and lost in the midfield.

Hardwick described the Giants as having some of the most exciting talent in the competition, capable of toppling any side on their day.

The Tigers and Giants have the same win-loss record coming into the Round 14 game at the MCG – a venue at which Richmond has won just three times from seven attempts in 2015.

“GWS are a very good side.  I know they’ve lost Mumford and a couple of defenders, but the fact of the matter is, their midfield is as good as anyone’s going around,” Hardwick said on Thursday.

“Their talent is as good as anyone in the competition.  They’ve got a lot of players in there that are capable of winning games by themselves.

“You look at the statistical analysis of their players.  (Dylan) Shiel, (Adam) Treloar, (Callum) Ward, these types of players.  If they get the game on their terms, they’ll beat us.

“It’s going to be a very good challenge.  They’ve got a very good forward line, an outstanding midfield.  The game is going to won and lost in the middle.  The contested ball game is going to be crucial this week.

“We need to make sure we take away their ability to run, their ability to create run and carry, and try to get the game to be a bit more of a slog-fest.

“We’ve just got to make sure we take away their strengths, work on a couple of things to get the game on our terms, and well get the result we’re after.

“If you allow any side to play the game predominantly on their terms, you’re going to get beaten, regardless of personnel.”

Richmond and GWS have met four times, with the Tigers winning all four encounters.

The first and only match between the sides at the MCG was in Round 19 last season, when Richmond won by 27 points.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-07-02/midfield-battle-looms-large-for-tigers

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Hardwick backs AFL on illicit drugs policy

AAP 
July 2, 2015 11:59 AM

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has backed AFL senior management to review and change the League's illicit drugs policy.

Hardwick said he was disappointed to see photos of Gold Coast player Harley Bennell on the front page of News Corp papers, saying the Suns and the AFL were only dealing with the issue like any group or family in society.

"It's a community issue overall and from a footy perspective we're no different," he said.

"As a father of three, it's an issue, no doubt about that."

Hardwick suggested it was inappropriate to put the compromising photo on the front page.

"I feel for the player on the front of the paper, I don't think it's something we should be putting there," he said.

He backed the approach of the club and the league in putting Bennell's health first.

"The key component here is the welfare of the player," he said.

"It's really important and something the AFL in general do very well.

"We just have to make sure we continue to educate our players on the risks associated with (illicit drugs)."

Hardwick said he had full confidence in AFL football boss Mark Evans and chief executive Gillon McLachlan to navigate the challenges at the Suns and complete the league's review into the "three strikes" illicit drugs policy.

"A policy put in place 10 years ago, like anything you put in 10 years ago, we outgrow that.

"We've got to continue to set the agenda with this."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said dealing with illicit drugs was a challenge for clubs.

"We've got young men all out of different environments in a high pressure situation away from home, and things are going to go wrong," he said.

"They're going to need some mentoring and some guidance, and in a sense a father figure at times. Support the person and challenge the behaviour when it's not the behaviour you want."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-02/hardwick-backs-afl-on-illicit-drugs-policy

[(•))(©™]

"The key component here is the welfare of the player," he said.

LOL

The key component is the preferential, illegal treatment they get because they play "Footy mate".

[one-eyed]

Tigers out to improve poor home record

Ben McKay,
AAP/AFL website
July 2, 2015 4:29 PM


RICHMOND has made a habit of producing impressive wins on the road this season, but coach Damien Hardwick has his players' minds fixed on an issue closer to home.

Winning a few games at the MCG.

The Tigers have collected the scalps of Port Adelaide, Fremantle and Sydney on their past three trips interstate and surged into top four contention.

But their MCG form has let them down, with a 3-4 record there including some forgettable performances.

Hardwick fumed after hearing the club songs of Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Geelong ring out earlier in the year.

His side's last effort at the home of football was a more respectable 20-point loss to high-flying West Coast but against GWS on Saturday, Hardwick hopes to actually take the four points.

"We have been a little bit disappointing this year at home," he said.

"Our progression of form has improved. West Coast were just too good for us on that night.

"We get an opportunity to rectify that this week against a young hungry side full of talent."

It's certainly not panic stations for the Tigers.

Hardwick was quick to point out that if their last 22 games constituted a season, they would be sitting pretty at 16-6.

Against the Giants, the Tigers could jump another rung to fifth place with a victory Hardwick said would be earned with their midfield effort.

"The game is going to be won or lost in the middle, the contested ball game is going to be crucial," he said.

"If they get the game on their terms, they'll beat us."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-02/tigers-out-to-improve-poor-home-record