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Jack’s best year yet: Hardwick

Published on: Richmond FC website

Jack Riewoldt of the Tigers in action during the 2013 AFL Round 09 Indigenous Round match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at the MCG, Melbourne on May 25, 2013. (Photo: Darrian Traynor/AFL Media)

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has labelled key forward Jack Riewoldt’s season as his best yet, citing his consistent goalkicking and ability to have an impact in every match.

Averaging three goals per game, Riewoldt is sitting second on the AFL goalkicking leaderboard, and is ranked No. 1 at the Club for score assists.

“Jack, I think, has had his best season since I’ve been at the footy club.  He’s probably on track for around 60 goals,” Hardwick said.

“His impact in games has been bigger and better than in years previous.

“He’s not kicking seven and then kicking one, he regularly kicks three or four goals, which is a great result for us.”

Hardwick underlined the importance of key forwards Ty Vickery and Aaron Edwards, along with Richmond’s midfielders, in contribution to the scoreboard.

“The spread of goalkickers we’re really pleased with.  Jack plays his role and does what’s required, and we’re winning too, so that’s the good thing about it,” Hardwick said.

Tigers on guard against quick-fire Kangaroos

Published on: Richmond FC website

Hardwick press conference 4th July Damien Hardwick speaks to the media ahead of round 15.

Bachar Houli of the Tigers and Liam Anthony of the Kangaroos in action during the AFL Round 17 match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the MCG, Melbourne. (Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media)

By Maddy Jeffery

Richmond will aim to offset North Melbourne’s strong first quarter form this Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.

The Kangaroos have leapt from the blocks in most games so far this season, and Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has told his players to be on guard early.

“That first quarter versus the Kangaroos is an important one. They start well, we’ve just got to make sure
we’re up and going,”  Hardwick said in today’s press conference at the ME Bank Centre.

Hardwick described the Kangaroos as a better side than what the ladder currently indicates.

“They’re a side that can score heavily, and that’s the thing we went through today.  A lot of their KPI areas are right up where they need to belong.

“They’re a good side, they just haven’t had a couple of results played their way,” he said.

Despite North’s ability to get up and going quickly, Hardwick said the Tigers would back themselves in, as they do every week, but predicts another close contest, like in recent years.

“There’s been some really close contests, and I’ve got no doubt it’ll be exactly the
same. I think we’re both similar clubs that have followed the same path.”

“There’s certainly a level of competitiveness which every side has, and we’re no different.  We certainly look to putting our best foot forward and playing a good contested game.

“It’s going to be a hard, tough-fought game in close, and we’re certainly looking forward to it,” Hardwick said

Defence at forefront for Freo

Published on: Richmond FC website

Hardwick press conference 18th July Damien Hardwick speaks to the media.

By Maddy Jeffery

Bachar Houli of the Richmond Tigers is unhappy after the 2013 AFL round 05 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers at Patersons Stadium, Perth on April 26, 2013. (Photo: Daniel Carson/AFL Media)

Richmond will look to reverse the result from its last encounter against Fremantle, by adopting a stronger defensive mindset.

The Tigers have not won in 10 games against Ross Lyon-coached sides, and are well aware that this Sunday’s clash will provide another stern test.

“We’ve certainly got a huge challenge this week versus Fremantle. Last time we played them at the ‘G, we didn’t perform to the level that we would have liked. It was relatively a close game, but I think Pav kicked five or six,” Hardwick said.

“They’ve got some players out, in Pavlich and Ballantyne, which certainly from a personnel point of view helps us.”

Hardwick predicts this Sunday’s match will be another close encounter, with the Tigers looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s only going to be a 12-goal game.  It’s a matter of who can defensively stand up,” Hardwick said.

“Footy’s a game of mistakes.  The side that makes the least amount of mistakes is the side that will come out on top. Freo are very very good at scoring from a turnover, and we’re ok also.

“It’s going to be a matter of taking those opportunities when they present or nullifying them, it’s going to be a really tough game.

“We’re looking to put our best foot forward, and Freo will be the same.”

We need our best: Hardwick

Published on: Richmond FC website

Hardwick press conference 2nd August Damien Hardwick speaks to the media.

by Maddy Jeffery

Richmond will need to play at its optimum for four quarters to challenge table-topper Hawthorn tomorrow,

Lance Franklin of the Hawks and Alex Rance of the Tigers in action during the AFL Round 09 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Hawthorn Hawks at the MCG, Melbourne. (Photo: Sean Garnsworthy/AFL Media)

according to coach Damien Hardwick.

The Hawks welcome the Tigers to the MCG this Saturday afternoon, a match that will see the Tigers attempt to reduce the gap between them and the top four sides.

After a tough loss to 2012 premiers Sydney last week, Hardwick insists his side is prepared for another stern contest against the Hawks.

“We’re going from Sydney last week on their home deck … into a team like Hawthorn, who really put Essendon to the sword last week,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve got an enormous rate of improvement in us. Obviously at the moment we feel that there’s a gap between the top four sides and us, so we need to eradicate that gap as quickly as possible.

Hardwick believes his troops would need to remain consistent during the entire match, for a chance to achieve the result they’re after.

“The thing about us is when we play at our best, we are capable of beating the best. We’ve got to reach that consistency level over a four-quarter period, and that’s probably something we haven’t done to the level we would have liked this year.”

Tall defender David Astbury, who has been selected to play in the side this week, will give the Tigers the additional height they need.

“With (Lance) Franklin, (Jarryd) Roughead, (David) Hale and even (Jack) Gunston to a degree, we’ve got some guys in Astbury, (Troy) Chaplin and (Alex) Rance that will go head to head at various stages,” Hardwick said.

“Its going to be an enormous challenge for our guys… they’re a formidable outfit.

“We know we are capable of beating Hawthorn, but we’ll need to play at our absolute best to get that done.”

Tigers strive for further improvement

Published on: Richmond FC website

Hardwick press conference 2nd August Damien Hardwick speaks to the media.

by Maddy Jeffery

Tigers player Trent Cotchin during the AFL Round 19 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Richmond Tigers at the Gabba, Brisbane. (Photo: Patrick Hamilton/AFL Media)

After watching his charges defeat ladder leader Hawthorn by 41 points at the MCG last Saturday, Richmond

coach Damien Hardwick confirmed he is not surprised by the Tigers’ ability to close the gap on the competition’s best teams.

“We always thought we were capable of playing that style of footy.  The challenge for our group, moving forward, is consistency, and whether we can do that over the course of the next four weeks onwards,” Hardwick said.

“We spoke about that gap, Sydney obviously exploited that. We managed to close it against Hawthorn, but the challenge is to, week in, week out, prove there isn’t one.”

Although the Tigers are playing strong football at the moment, Hardwick feels there are still some areas in their game that need work.

“The inconsistency between quarters has probably showed its head at various stages this year . . . We’ve certainly worked on things and rectified those areas, but we’ve still got a fair way to go,” he said.

Richmond takes on the Brisbane Lions this Saturday at the MCG in a match that Hardwick believes won’t be an easy one, due to the Lions’ recent good form.

“It’s going to be a really tough game on the weekend.  Granted they’ve lost Jonathan Brown, but the flexibility of their side is very important to them. They’ve got some quality players,” Hardwick said.

“We’re just looking forward to the challenge of playing Brisbane on Saturday and getting the result we’re after.

“There is no ceiling on where we want to finish, and that’s a challenge to our guys.”

Tigers expect strong response

Published on: Richmond FC website

Hardwick press conference 22nd August Damien Hardwick speaks to the media ahead of round 22.

by Maddy Jeffery

Richmond will prepare for a tough encounter on Sunday, as GWS looks to bid its coach, Kevin Sheedy, a fitting farewell in his last game at Skoda Stadium.

After a disappointing fadeout against Carlton last week, the Tigers’ coach, Damien Hardwick, is anticipating a strong response from his side.

“We are obviously disappointed with our game last week . . . we didn’t play with the intensity we would have liked,” Hardwick said.

“But we’re in a situation where we’ve got bigger fish to fry in GWS this week. So we get back on track, we address a few things, we practise in the next couple of training sessions, and get our game back up and going.”

Hardwick linked the form slump against the Blues to his playing group’s mentality, rather than physicality, but is optimistic the same won’t happen against GWS.

“Mentally, the guys have got to be switched on, and that was the reason we didn’t play well last week – we weren’t switched on, defensively,” Hardwick said.

“It has nothing to do with our physical approach, it was more our mental state. So we have to be stronger.”

Having played during Sheedy’s reign at Essendon, Hardwick is aware that this game will be a momentous occasion for the legendary coach and his young side.

“’Sheeds’ has been a fantastic contributor, not only to GWS, but the AFL in general,” Hardwick said.

“Their last home game, they’ll certainly build it up. I think the last time they had a milestone game, they got over the top.

“Sheeds will certainly get them fired up, like he did when I used to play for him. It will be a good game.”

Astbury leaves injuries behind

By Maddy Jeffery

Published on: Richmond FC website

Feeling fitter than ever, young Richmond defender David Astbury is intent on putting his challenging injury run

David Astbury of the Tigers and Andrew Raines of the Lions collide during the 2013 AFL Round 20 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Brisbane Lions at the MCG, Melbourne on August 10, 2013. (Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media)

behind him, and cementing a spot in the Tigers’ team.

It was less than five minutes into the first term against the Round 12 clash with Sydney at the SCG in 2011, when a collision with Swans midfielder Ben McGlynn proved disastrous for Astbury.

Astbury was in agony as he was stretchered from the field with a dislocated kneecap.

The injury sidelined Astbury for the rest of the 2011 season.

“I picked up the ball and then my left foot slipped a little bit and the muscle on the outside of my left leg contracted really hard and ripped my kneecap out of the spot.  It tore all my medial ligaments,” Astbury said.

“It was pretty nasty and really painful.”

In November 2011, three months into his rehabilitation, Astbury was having difficulty progressing in the gym, and he was forced to undergo further arthroscopic surgery, which meant he was forced to spend extra time on the sidelines.

Before suffering the knee injury, Astbury had also undergone a hip operation.

Astbury then copped another setback on the comeback trail, when he was struck down by a stress reaction in his left foot.  That kept him out of action for the remaining of the Tigers’ pre-season, as he recuperated for several weeks in a moon boot.

“There were a lot of things that kept me going,” Astbury said.

“I sort of got stuck into my uni work and made sure I was stimulated in that sense. It was pretty tough, but you just have to surround yourself with good people.”

One of those good people was (now former) teammate Kelvin Moore, who Astbury drew strength from.  Moore helped him overcome the injury and return to the playing field.

“It was a pretty ordinary time to be honest,” Astbury said.

“I was pretty lucky at the time I had a guy who was going through a serious hip condition, Kelvin Moore, who finished at the end of 2012. He was more experienced than me, really level-headed and he really helped me through rehab.”

Following a solid run at VFL level with Coburg, Astbury was recalled to play for Richmond in the middle of this season. He subsequently played a valuable role in the Tigers’ past two wins against ladder-leader Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions.

Astbury is now keen to put the past few injury-interrupted years behind him, and start developing some continuity with his football.

“I’ve got a lot more confidence in my body, and I’m starting to adapt to the speed of AFL again. Obviously, I’ve spent a long time on the sidelines, and it wasn’t going to be easy to pick up, but I’m feeling a lot better,” Astbury said.

“I’ve had a couple of niggly injuries since, but my body is feeling the best it’s felt. Touch wood it stays that way.”

With Richmond having secured a finals berth for the first time in 12 years, and talented, young defender Dylan Grimes returning the line-up, Astbury is aware that he has his work cut out retaining his place in the side.

“We’ve got Dylan Grimes coming back, who’s been an integral part of the backline for a while, but if I continue to play my role, I don’t want to give the coaches any excuse to push me out,” Astbury said.

“I’ve spoken to Damien and he’s sort of happy with the way I’m progressing, and sees a future here for me, so I’ve just got to keep on doing that, keep it a week-to-week thing, and make sure I’m doing my role.

“I just want to cement a spot in the team and play some consistent footy.”

Feeling fitter than ever, young Richmond defender David Astbury is intent on putting his challenging injury run behind him, and cementing a spot in the Tigers’ team.

It was less than five minutes into the first term against the Round 12 clash with Sydney at the SCG in 2011, when a collision with Swans midfielder Ben McGlynn proved disastrous for Astbury.

Astbury was in agony as he was stretchered from the field with a dislocated kneecap.

The injury sidelined Astbury for the rest of the 2011 season.

“I picked up the ball and then my left foot slipped a little bit and the muscle on the outside of my left leg contracted really hard and ripped my kneecap out of the spot.  It tore all my medial ligaments,” Astbury said.

“It was pretty nasty and really painful.”

In November 2011, three months into his rehabilitation, Astbury was having difficulty progressing in the gym, and he was forced to undergo further arthroscopic surgery, which meant he was forced to spend extra time on the sidelines.

Before suffering the knee injury, Astbury had also undergone a hip operation.

Astbury then copped another setback on the comeback trail, when he was struck down by a stress reaction in his left foot.  That kept him out of action for the remaining of the Tigers’ pre-season, as he recuperated for several weeks in a moon boot.

“There were a lot of things that kept me going,” Astbury said.

“I sort of got stuck into my uni work and made sure I was stimulated in that sense. It was pretty tough, but you just have to surround yourself with good people.”

One of those good people was (now former) teammate Kelvin Moore, who Astbury drew strength from.  Moore helped him overcome the injury and return to the playing field.

“It was a pretty ordinary time to be honest,” Astbury said.

“I was pretty lucky at the time I had a guy who was going through a serious hip condition, Kelvin Moore, who finished at the end of 2012. He was more experienced than me, really level-headed and he really helped me through rehab.”

Following a solid run at VFL level with Coburg, Astbury was recalled to play for Richmond in the middle of this season. He subsequently played a valuable role in the Tigers’ past two wins against ladder-leader Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions.

Astbury is now keen to put the past few injury-interrupted years behind him, and start developing some continuity with his football.

“I’ve got a lot more confidence in my body, and I’m starting to adapt to the speed of AFL again. Obviously, I’ve spent a long time on the sidelines, and it wasn’t going to be easy to pick up, but I’m feeling a lot better,” Astbury said.

“I’ve had a couple of niggly injuries since, but my body is feeling the best it’s felt. Touch wood it stays that way.”

With Richmond having secured a finals berth for the first time in 12 years, and talented, young defender Dylan Grimes returning the line-up, Astbury is aware that he has his work cut out retaining his place in the side.

“We’ve got Dylan Grimes coming back, who’s been an integral part of the backline for a while, but if I continue to play my role, I don’t want to give the coaches any excuse to push me out,” Astbury said.

“I’ve spoken to Damien and he’s sort of happy with the way I’m progressing, and sees a future here for me, so I’ve just got to keep on doing that, keep it a week-to-week thing, and make sure I’m doing my role.

“I just want to cement a spot in the team and play some consistent footy.”

Tigers bank on consistent preparation

Hardwick press conference 29th AugustDamien Hardwick speaks to the media ahead of round 23.

Published on: Richmond FC website

By Maddy Jeffery

After securing a place in the finals for the first time in 12 years, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wants to

Essendon’s Patrick Ryder and Richmond’s Ivan Maric compete at a centre bounce during the 2013 AFL Round 09 Indigenous Round match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at the MCG, Melbourne on May 25, 2013. (Photo: David Callow/AFL Media)

ensure his players don’t waste the opportunity.

Richmond’s last game of the home-and-away season will be played against Essendon on Saturday night – a match that is sure to be filled with plenty of mixed emotions following the Bombers’ ban from this year’s finals series.

“We’re expecting a fired-up Essendon to come out and play the brand of footy they have played over the course of the year. . . It will be a fierce contest,” Hardwick said.

“We were really disappointed with the game we played against them in Round 9, so we’ll certainly be looking to rectify that result.”

Although the circumstances surrounding this Saturday night’s match are unique, Hardwick is convinced it will be just like any other game.

“We’ve still got to play.  At the end of the day we aren’t guaranteed any four points. The Bombers can still win the game and we’ll still be trying to win the game,” Hardwick said.

“I don’t think it will be different from any other week.

“They are going to bring in Nathan Lovett-Murray and David Hille, possibly for their farewell game, so their emotion will be high.  We’ll certainly just make sure we do what we do, and worry about ourselves.”

As September fast approaches, Hardwick admits the feeling around town this time of year is exciting for everyone.

“I think that vibe comes around the city of Melbourne, it starts to get exciting,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve certainly had a season that has been full of some speed humps along the way, with some issues . . . But I think the whole football community is looking forward to September.”

 

 

 

 

2013 ‘Coach of the Year’ awards night

Published on: Sportingpulse – Oakleigh Chargers FC

By Maddison Jeffery

Female Coach of the Year winner – Courtney Young

The annual ‘Central Region Coach of the Year’ awards night hosted by Rick Irwin, provided a great opportunity to thank and congratulate 45 nominated coaches and volunteers across seven categories last Wednesday night at the Mulgrave Country Club.

With over 180 people in attendance the special guests, AFL greats Peter and Paul Hudson were given a very warm welcome. The father-and-son duo imparted their wealth of knowledge on coaching and playing to the audience, as well as sharing a few comical stories of their journey along the way.

The evening kicked off with acknowledgments made to Auskick coordinators for their tireless work and commitment throughout the 2013 season with each coordinator being presented with a plaque and ‘Australia’s Game’ book.

Other categories of coaches from the Central Region recognised for their significant role in football were Junior, Youth, Female and Senior.

Congratulations to all nominees on an outstanding year of creating quality environments for our players, good luck to the winners who now qualify to be short listed for the State Coach of the Year awards in their respective categories.

Thank you to all leagues, clubs, Auskick centres, coaches and partners who supported this successful event and a special thank you to the Mulgrave Country Club for their ongoing sponsorship of the Central Region AFCA.