Former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick will return to the membership to farewell champions Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin because the Tigers again a sore star determined to play within the send-off sport.
Hardwick has arrived again in Melbourne after an prolonged abroad vacation following his resignation as Tigers coach and might be on the MCG when Riewoldt and Cotchin bow out towards North Melbourne on Saturday.
It comes as Hardwick is strongly linked to the vacant Gold Coast senior teaching position, whereas Tigers caretaker coach Andrew McQualter prepares to interview to grow to be his everlasting substitute.
McQualter stated his focus remained solely on the ultimate two video games of the season as his possibilities of profitable the position had been seemingly given a lift following the withdrawal of extremely rated Power assistant Josh Carr from the method.
“Basically, over the next few weeks, they’ll start interviewing the candidates – for me, it’ll probably be when the season finishes, the interview process will start,” McQualter stated.
“I haven’t spent a whole heap of time on it, I just haven’t had the chance at the moment.
“I’ve been supported really well by a bunch of coaches here and staff … that’s been my focus, really.”
McQualter stated he had not spoken to Hardwick since his departure abroad however was wanting ahead to seeing the triple premiership coach on the emotional farewell sport.
“He’ll come to the game on the weekend, he’s obviously been so influential to Trent and Jack,” McQualter stated.
“We’ll see him at the game, which is awesome. I haven’t spoken to him personally, but I’m really looking forward to seeing him and catching up.
“It is a massive day … we’ve spoken about it to the players this morning – the guys in the room, they’ll talk forever about playing with these two players, so influential to the club and the game.
“And we get one more chance to honour them and play with them and for them.”
McQualter backed Cotchin to make it via his ultimate sport after calf soreness pressured him out of the spherical 22 conflict towards St Kilda, whereas he stated star halfback Daniel Rioli can be given “every chance” to line up alongside his treasured premiership teammates one final time.
Rioli skilled on the outskirts of the group at Punt Road on Thursday and was anticipated to once more do little on Friday as he battles an ankle difficulty that pressured him from the sphere towards the Saints.
“(Rioli) didn’t train that much yesterday and won’t do much today, but we’re confident he’ll get to the line,” McQualter stated.
“We’ll give him every chance … he’s such an important player for us and he’s had such a long history with Jack and Trent as well.
“(Cotchin) is right to go – he hasn’t trained a lot in the last few weeks, but he’s pretty tough Trent, and we’ll just wheel him out there and I’m sure the competitive beast he is, he’ll get to work once the siren starts.”
Originally revealed as AFL 2023: Damien Hardwick returns to attend farewell sport for Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt
Source: www.news.com.au
