Rawlings ponders Punt Rd futureBy Nathan Schmook 5:22 PM Thu 27 August, 2009
RICHMOND caretaker coach Jade Rawlings says he retains a genuine attachment to the players and will weigh up a possible future under new coach Damien Hardwick in the next few weeks.
Rawlings, who is contracted to Richmond for next season, said he had spoken to Hardwick yesterday but the new coach was not travelling to Perth for the side's Friday night clash with West Coast.
He admitted being disappointed when he didn't get the job himself.
"Naturally it was a disappointment, you don't put yourself in contention for a job like that unless you really want it," Rawlings said from Perth on Thursday.
"All of my energy has gone into coaching this game against West Coast and I'm really keen for the players to put in a good effort and finish in a good way after what's been a tough second half to the year.
"My situation will be taken care of in the next month or so I would have thought."
Rawlings said the club was to be commended on its extensive process to find Terry Wallace's replacement and he said he fully supported Hardwick's appointment.
"They were keen to get what they deemed to be the best person (and) Damien Hardwick's got terrific credentials," Rawlings said.
"He'll do a great job."
Rawlings said coaching the side one last time when he knew he wouldn't be the senior coach next year had not been a challenge.
Rather, after 11 games in charge he said he was grateful for the opportunity and would use the experience to further his coaching career.
"I'd like to think there's been subtle improvement over the 11 games I've been involved," he said.
"My experience has been profound, just in the short amount of time, and it can only serve me well, I think, as long as I make the most of it."
On the subject of Ben Cousins' future, Rawlings said he had shared his thoughts on the veteran and the rest of the Tigers' list when he applied for the senior coach position, but he wouldn't elaborate.
On the younger Tigers, he said there had been a changing of the guard in the second half of the season, and the club was better placed going into 2010 than it was mid-year.
"I think we've been able to change the way we play in the second half of the year," he said.
"I think the younger players have been afforded opportunities and there's been a bit of a changing of the guard there.
"To get away together and hopefully come over here and put in a good performance against the Eagles is what all of my energy's going into."
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