Richmond gamers are decided to not make up the numbers beneath caretaker coach Andrew McQualter and say they may attempt to push their manner again into the highest eight.
Damien Hardwick’s bombshell mid-season resignation has shocked the Tigers’ taking part in group, however co-captain Dylan Grimes says the membership is best positioned than most to have encountered this case prior to now.
Grimes had glowing reward for McQualter, a Tigers assistant and former St Kilda and Gold Coast participant, saying he remained excited for what the membership might accomplish in 2023.
“I think it’s rare that a coach leaves a club, particularly mid-year, and the club is not in turmoil,” he mentioned.
“It definitely doesn’t feel like we’re in that position … the season is still up for grabs for us; if we win this weekend we’re two points out of the eight.
“I’m certainly excited about what’s to come, even though (Hardwick) is not going to be there.”
Grimes mentioned McQualter’s strengths have been his astute tactical information and wonderful communication with the gamers.
“I think he’s been a senior coach-in-waiting for a number of years now. Mini has got one of those technical brains that really continues to surprise you by the detail he sees in the game,” he mentioned.
“I think being a senior coach is about managing people and communicating the complex in a simple way, and Mini does that almost better than anyone.
“I think he’s been chomping at the bit for the opportunity, so it’s great to see him get it.”
Grimes mentioned he had hoped news of Hardwick’s impending departure was “all a big joke” when he first caught wind of it on Monday.
“The first emotion was shock, and I think straight afterwards it was just a celebration of the journey.
“He’s been the only coach I’ve had since 2009 … he’s been, it’s sounds cliched, but a father figure for so much of what we’ve built here.”
Fellow co-captain Toby Nankervis turned emotional as he described the affect Hardwick had on him as an individual.
“The confidence and belief he instilled in me … what he was really big on was just a love for the game – he allowed us to really enjoy the game … and to have fun again,” Nankervis mentioned.
“The footy club is a place he’s created where we want to show up every day and see each other, and we always leave with a smile on our face win, lose or draw.”
Hardwick insisted he was leaving Richmond in a “very good place” regardless of buying and selling out necessary draft capital to herald Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper from GWS over the low season.
“While we did invest significant draft capital, we’ve brought in two players in Taranto and Hopper who are going to be outstanding players for the next six, seven years,” he mentioned.
“It’s only one person, a senior coach. We’ve got an outstanding group of assistant coaches.
“So whichever coach takes over is going to be in a very good place.”
Source: www.news.com.au
