Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has all however dominated out a debut for mature age recruit Tylar Young as he ponders the easiest way to battle Carlton‘s twin towers of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay in Thursday night’s blockbuster AFL season opener.
Despite a stellar previous few weeks from Young throughout pre-season video games, Hardwick stated the 24-year-old was unlikely to get the nod to tackle Coleman medallists McKay and Curnow in a baptism of fireplace on the MCG.
“Probably not this week … he’s very, very close. We’ve been very impressed with this kid, he’s been in our system for five minutes but he’s taken us by storm really,” Hardwick stated.
“I’ve got no doubt that you’ll see him in the coming weeks. We’ve been really impressed with how he’s gone about it.”
In an upbeat temper forward of the blockbuster season opener, Hardwick joked he was open to any options for combating the Blues’ ahead pair.
“If you’ve got any ideas, let us know. Those two players are just incredible. McKay and Curnow are probably the players they’re going to have for the next 10 years and they’re going to build the back of their side off,” he stated.
“If you‘re relying on one player to beat those guys, you’re probably in a fair bit of trouble.
“If (Carlton‘s forward entries are) clean, we’re going to be in a fair bit of trouble, but if we get it a little bit high, a little bit long, then we’re a chance.”
Hardwick stated creating forward-ruck Samson Ryan was in rivalry to play his second senior recreation on Thursday evening, whereas a variety of much less established gamers had been an opportunity.
“We‘ve got some really exciting guys, Samson Ryan we thought had an incredible pre-season, Judson Clarke and Tyler Sonsie … so guys you have sort of seen before will be thereabouts come selection this afternoon,” he said.
Dion Prestia (pectoral), Jayden Short (calf) and Marlion Pickett (adductor) have all cleared their final fitness hurdles and will be available for selection.
Hardwick had no concerns about relaid MCG turf that had to be replaced after two Ed Sheeran concerts having attended the shows himself.
“I went to Ed Sheeran – it’s nicely price it, so far as I’m involved,” Hardwick stated.
“That was an unbelievable concert, so whatever condition it’s in, don’t give a stuff.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
