Hardwick's interview at training today. From the Age...Hardwick said the Tigers would enter the match with confidence, after last weekend's big win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, their first of the season.
But he acknowledged that win was of limited value as a form guide, given the incredibly wet conditions in Adelaide meant the club's normal gameplan had been thrown "out the window".
The Saints hold an 11-match winning streak over Richmond, but Hardwick said that would not daunt his team.
"It's a completely different playing group, obviously, but from our point of view we'll go in confident, we go in confident every week," he said.
"Our guys just look forward to the challenge, they love playing good sides and can measure themselves against them."
The Tigers will be without two of their more experienced midfielders, with Nathan Foley to again miss with an ankle injury and Daniel Jackson to serve the final game of a suspension.
But Hardwick said he was looking forward to throwing his promising younger midfielders, such as Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Shane Edwards, up against some star opponents.
"Whether Dusty goes to Lenny Hayes or Brendon Goddard or (Leigh) Montagna, I'm not sure, but it just gives them a great opportunity to learn from good players," he said.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/simmonds-sendoff-to-lift-tigers-20100603-x1j6.html