Richmond Tigers AFL coach Damien Hardwick tells the media ‘say it to my face’ after run of losses
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has spoken out about ‘stories’ in the media criticizing him and the club.
The Tigers languish in 16th spot on the ladder, with rebuilding sides Hawthorn and West Coast – which the club will face on Saturday afternoon – the only clubs below them.
Hardwick said he was ‘incredibly flat and frustrated’ with where the club stood, but stated he still had a desire to coach the club on a long-term basis.
Richmond faces the nightmare scenario of giving up a prized first-round squad (currently three) to Greater Western Sydney following the Jacob Hopper trade last year, but Hardwick said he would much rather have the proven player than ‘magic beans’ .
Been plagued by injury this season, the Tigers will get some relief this weekend, with premiership midfielders Dion Prestia and Jack Graham set to return against the Eagles.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has fired back at the media in an angry outburst, urging journalists to personally confront him with their criticism
Images of Richmond players looking dejected after a defeat – like this photo taken after their loss to the Suns last weekend – are becoming all too familiar to Tigers fans
In response to claims that Hardwick may have lost the players, the coach was blunt.
‘It’s their stories. That’s the reality, it’s easy to sit there and say those comments when they’re behind a desk — come and say it to my face,” he said.
Hardwick said it was an easy fix for the Tigers to return to their best level, with the three-time premiership coach fully confident his squad can turn it around.
“One of those things where you sit back and think and the overriding things are ‘why things are the way they are’. And it’s kind of like anything, you’re never as bad as you seem,” Hardwick said.
“It’s a relatively easy solution for us, our energy and intensity were nowhere near the level we would like and that’s something we talked to our players about.
“Stories are part of the AFL landscape and we understand that. And where we are on the ladder probably opens us up to that, but it’s about changing the narrative, we need to win some games.
“I think our list is very capable. A lot of people would say ‘you’re kidding yourself’ but the fact is I have incredible faith in this group of players.
Despite their poor form, Hardwick believes his side can become a force again this year – although he admits some people will think he’s kidding himself.
“We’re a long way from where we need to be, but I definitely think we’re capable if we get our game going, if we get some players back in the squad, we’ll be hard to beat.”
Spearhead Tom Lynch is out of a moonboot but is still sidelined for the mid-term, while ruckman Toby Nankervis, who is running again, will not return for another two weeks.
Hardwick, who is on contract until the end of 2024, insists he is still incredibly driven in his 14th year at the helm and said he had had open discussions about his future with CEO Brendon Gale.
“Yeah I do (have the passion to coach), it was just one of those games where you couldn’t seem to get anything going, or something to work and our players felt that too, and that’s when you feel flat,” said Hardwick.
‘Look, did it come across like that? Yeah, probably, but the fact of the matter is that I probably felt like every supporter in this organization incredibly flat and frustrated with where we’re at.
“But once I sit there in the cold, harsh daylight and watch the tape and work through a few things, I feel a lot better.”
Tim Taranto is pictured during the Tigers’ first round match with Carlton. Richmond won their next one, against Adelaide, but they’ve tasted nothing but disappointment ever since
Hardwick backed Gale to take on a role with AFL House of the Tasmanian team, but would not comment on concerns over the process in which Gale missed out on the AFL chief executive role.
He said the Tigers would be willing to let him go for the greater good of the competition.
“I think Brendon is a superstar at what he does. I think however the AFL went, whether it was Andrew Dillon or Brendon Gale, they were going to get a competition superstar,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love our man here, he’s been excellent for me and excellent for our footy club, but again when it comes to broadening the scope or improving the game, that’s what Richmond does, we offer the possibility.’